Sex Lives of the Kings and Queens of England

by Nigel Cawthorne

Hardcover with dustjacket, 249 pages.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Royalty, Historical, Biography, Tudor Period

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".

One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.

Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second Nigel Cawthorne novel, the first was Sex Lives of Hollywood Goddesses. I can't remember what I rated it but I assume it was a 3 star read just like this one.

Are these books the best history books I've ever read?

Obviously no but they are fun little snarky reads.

I have an odd fascination with the sex lives of famous people. Call me a perv if you want to but its sort of my non gulity- guilty pleasure. And nobody got as turnt in the boudoir as Kings and Queens of yesteryear. The current royal family are bunch of Puritans compared to the people in this book. I laughed so man times while reading this book.

God I love perverted royals!

I will say that Nigel Cawthorne does include a whole lot of gossip and rumors, so maybe don't believe everything you read here. But if you just want a quick fun read about the perverted sex lives of royalty, than give this book a try!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and readable social history, from the earliest monarchs of England through to (almost) the present day. It's not salacious, and doesn't in fact go beyond the bedroom door. Although it's not a formal history with lists of sources etc, it is clearly based on legitimate historical sources such as diaries, letters, newspapers, pamphlets etc, some of which are quoted. And although some of the information is perhaps based on gossip or conjecture of the times, it still gives an interesting picture of the public opinions and feelings about the various monarchs. But there are also numerous items that are well-recognised as fact.

As the introduction explains, the sex lives of monarchs are in fact of public interest (to an extent LOL) because the succession needs to be assured. And there have many moments throughout British history when the succession was in dispute or doubt. This led to coups or even war on occasion, and it's therefore historically significant. But it's also very interesting!!

I knew about the famously 'bad behaviour' of some of England's monarchs, but this book was a bit of an eye-opener for me. It's quite extraordinary really, how many of the monarchs or their relatives had adulterous affairs, mistresses galore, illegitimate children etc etc. And often it was quite blatant and open.

I was also surprised at the number of monarchs or their relatives who were gay, lesbian or bisexual, sometimes quite openly, sometimes just 'rumoured' to be so. The monarchs would have to marry and ensure the succession, but some of them still happily kept their retinue of gay (or other) lovers. It was against church and state, but it still happened.

There are some very funny moments in the book too. Across the ages, pundits and wits have written some very humorous (and disrespectful) doggerel and commentaries about the (mis)behaviour of their monarchs. e.g. A newspaper wrote "There is nothing between the Prince of Wales and Lillie Langtry ... not even a sheet."

Overall, quite a fascinating and enjoyable read, and I will now have a look at the author's other books in this series e.g. his books about the sex lives of Hollywood idols in the pre #MeToo age. Could be interesting if a little scary! Another world, another time.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the current monarchy was scandelous but they are simple and non controversial according to their ancestors. These folks could never be leaders in America with their continous sex scandels. It doesn't appear from this book that any of them are faithful or have any intentions on being so. I guess the British pay their taxes to this monarchy for amusement, because every generation for the past 1000 years have given them their taxes worth! I learned the King/Queen still can exile, put to death their adulterous partner for treason and must give permission to marry for those family members considered royalty.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the tidbits are interesting, the writing style is frightfully dull. Seriously, my 11th grade history book was written better than this. It's too bad, because there's loads of subject matter...

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick and interesting romp through the relationships of the British monarchy. For a slim book it covers a lot of ground. A great overview of the loves and spouses of each Monarch.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was so poorly edited, I almost didn't finish it for that reason alone. In the beginning, it was just typos, but it got so bad, it rendered it unreadable in some parts. This could have been so much better than it was.

[Recynd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feh.

If a book's got "sex" in the title, I expect a little salaciousness; this one didn't provide.

[Emmy Den breeijen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though an entertaining read, the writer made several factual mistakes. It's poorly researched and many times rumors and gossip are presented as facts.

[J. Bryce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, salacious and a little prurient.

Recommended to casual "royal watchers" who read Kitty Kelley.

[Maria]

We common people can scarcely be blamed for our occasional interest in the love lives of the Kings and Queens of England. It is a matter of vital national interest, given the hereditary principle of who does what to whom not only has been the subject of tremendous gossip for the upper classes and peasantry alike throughout the ages. I was honestly amazed after every single chapter, I couldn't believe my eyes after reading all those tittle-tattles about British monarchs. I was stupefied all along and I'm still trying to process everything. Looking forward to reading another book from this series.

[Ramona Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is of interest to anyone who finds royalty a strange and fascinating species. There's a lot of guessing and suggestions that cannot be proven after centuries have passed, but that doesn't make them less interesting. I wish illustrations had been included because I spent a lot of time on the internet trying to find portraits of some of the royals and their lovers who had especially interesting descriptions. Of course, portraits were flattering since they were done by royal appointment, so you still don't get a complete and honest depiction.

Since I've read a lot of historical works that include royal biographies, I found much of the information in this book was already common knowledge.

[Lishwebber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book to read just because I was avid reader about life events that happens to Mary queen of scots. Soon after I start read this, realized this wasn’t just a book but, it’s a kind of book I was looking for ages.
If you looking for some sensual details from this, please this is not the book for you. But if you looking for details about political agreements and things they did to protect their monarchs since Victorian era, this is the perfect book for you to read.!

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The formatting of this book is terrible, and although the more historical relationships are interesting, it gets a little gross as it moves to modern times and people still alive (at the time of publication), smacking of tabloid journalism.

[Neale Sourna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has its moments but the end with Mrs. Simpson and Di and Charles was a bit suspect.

[Raluca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not entirely accurate. Gossip oriented to the point that even monarchs like Edward VI and Jane Grey (dead in their teens) were included.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

so not impressed by this tabloid style writing

[Lisa Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humorous and titillating information. But someone edited this book with their eyes shut. My addition at least… So many typos…

[Morgan Pippin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mix of informative and funny. Kept me reading non stop

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book I had discovered via one of the many historical podcasts that I follow.
Was so excited to find it.
So disappointing. No historical enjoyment, just salacious gossip.

[Eija · Rating 2 out of 5]

Otetaan villein huhu ja esitetään se faktana. Tulos on aika tylsä.

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

[K.M. Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up for 99 cents at a local second hand store. Read it in about two hours. It's a short read about typical kings and queens and sex. Fun and interesting

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a trashy, quick read that is entertaining in a rather disjointed, point-by-point style. Got moderately uncomfortable going into the last bit on the modern royals, though -- it's one thing to know too much about a historical figure, entirely another to revisit the tragedies of people who have been/are alive during my lifetime. It felt callous and cheeky when held up against my own childhood memories of the media storm surrounding Diana and Charles. I think that's where the difference is -- not that these figures are more or less worthy of a pithy summary than their ancestors, but that there's less psychological distance from the events of their lives, having influenced the cultural atmosphere that is still relevant.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining book. There are far better books out there on the scandals of the royal marriages. Some of the things in the book, I think I would run through the "fact checking machine" before I would give them any validity. It covers a wide and sorted range of scandals from Henry VIII to present day (Book published in 1994-at the time Princess Di and Prince Charles were separated but not divorced. Of course the tragic death of Princess Di had not happened yet.) It is probably a PG-13 book, not a lot of details mostly facts. This edition of the book is larger, 9" x 10 1/2", closer to coffee table size. It has lots of lovely full color illustrations, paintings and photos. The artwork is part of what attracted me to this book.

[Lise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleh. I learned some interesting things from this book (man, the Villiers... schtupping kings and getting landed since 1603), but it got very very tiresome by the end. Parts of it read like lists that such-and-such monarch may have been involved with, with no context to even make it interesting. And let's leave aside that the whole thing basically needed CITATION NEEDED written above it. Not so much history, as a historical tabloid.

Plus, I will always be annoyed by authors who call men who engage in both homosexual and heterosexual relationships "homosexual." Bi erasure, ahoy.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm very interested in both the British monarchy and the subject of sex, so I was really excited about this book. However, there were many factual errors, which makes me doubt the actual content of the book. It also seems like the author grasped onto any gossip about a monarch and decided that it was true.

[Tacowsh1t · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this book was anything it was entertaining. It was a quick read that provided some great sorid details of the royal's past. However, the problem that I had with the book is that it didn't have a bibliography. I felt that since the author didn't reference any of his sources the credibility os the book is in question. I liked the book but I just can't bring myself to believe any of it.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

those naughty aristocrats!!! really funny alternative look at the monarchs of England! The dates don't coincide (it says printed in 1997 and I have 1994 as the year I read it) because this is a different revised edition than the one I have.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book really hard to follow and I think it would have been easier to read if there were more dates put in it because it would have helped me put everything in chronological order. This is not a book I recommend to people interested in the scandals of the royal family.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lascivious good fun.