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Monarchy: From the Middle Ages to Modernity
David Starkey' s magisterial new book Monarchy charts the rise of the British crown from the insurgency of the War of the Roses, through the glory and dangers of the Tudors, to the insolvency of the Stuarts and chaos of the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, the rule of a commoner who was 'king in all but name', the importing of a German dynasty, and the coming-to-terms with modernity under the wise guidance of another German, Victoria' s Prince Consort Albert. An epilogue brings to story up to the present and asks questions about the future.
The crown of England is the oldest surviving political institution in Europe. And yet, throughout this book Starkey emphasises the Crown' s endless capacity to reinvent itself to circumstances and reshape national polity whilst he unmasks the personalities and achievements, the defeats and victories, which lie behind the kings and queens of British history.
Each of these monarchs has contributed, in their own way, to the religion, geography, laws, language and government that we currently live with today. In this book, Starkey demonstrates exactly how these states were arrived at, how these monarchs subtly influenced each other, which battles were won and why, whose whim or failure caused religious tradition to wither or flourish, and which monarchs, through their acumen and strength or single minded determination came to enforce the laws of England.
With his customary authority and verve, David Starkey reignites these personalities to produce an entertaining and masterful account of these figures whose many victories and failures are the building blocks upon which Britain today is built. Far more than abiography of kings and queens, Monarchy is a radical reappraisal of British nationhood, culture and politics, shown through the most central institution in British life.
230 pages, ebook
First published September 3, 2000
69 people are currently reading
1631 people want to read
About the author
David Starkey
128 books458 followersDavid Robert Starkey, CBE, FSA is a British historian, a television and radio presenter, and a specialist in the Tudor period.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 13, 2017
Written as a TV tie-in this is a light, old-fashioned Kings, Queens and eighteenth-century Prime Ministers account of almost entirely English history that has nothing more than that to recommend itself.
It is a bad sign from the first when the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex is described as a "participatory society" with "mutual responsibility between crown and people". Starkey is a Tudor specialist with no particular expertise either before or after that period, but even so it was a surprise to read a misleading opinion that is associated with Victorian historians like J.R.Green and Bishop Stubbs.
Professional judgements aside the overall impression is that the text wasn't read through before publication, there are odd contradictions so we are told that Mary Queen of Scots was killed on account of her religion and then later on for her treachery, and there are hopefully inadvertent comparisons for instance implying that George IV was a despot.
Starkey's descriptions of women are strikingly odd. Princess Diana is described as "a clothes-horse", Queen Caroline we are told smelt bad, Catherine of Aragon had lost her figure apparently while Catherine of Braganza looked like a bat. It would be unfair to expect a writer to be Gallant but this isn't even handed - men aren't described in this way by Starkey. He has some weird opinions such as apparently taking seriously rumours that James II's son may have been a changeling and his belief that Britain was left in a worse state after the end of the second world war than after the seven years war (I believe Starkey isn't a fan of the Welfare State, but he offers no explanation for his opinion). And very oddly Ireland is never mentioned but the USA is.
At times Starkey seems close to wanting to go down a blood, gore and gossip approach, which would be OK, but he pulls out, satisfying himself by making arch comments about various people's sex lives instead. One is again obliged by Starkey to think that he wishes to achieve notoriety.
Despite flagging up how keen he is to discuss the ideas and ideologies of monarchy, when it comes down to it (with the partial exception of his beloved Tudors) he lets the opportunity slip by. My recommendation would be to let this book slip by you too.
It is a bad sign from the first when the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex is described as a "participatory society" with "mutual responsibility between crown and people". Starkey is a Tudor specialist with no particular expertise either before or after that period, but even so it was a surprise to read a misleading opinion that is associated with Victorian historians like J.R.Green and Bishop Stubbs.
Professional judgements aside the overall impression is that the text wasn't read through before publication, there are odd contradictions so we are told that Mary Queen of Scots was killed on account of her religion and then later on for her treachery, and there are hopefully inadvertent comparisons for instance implying that George IV was a despot.
Starkey's descriptions of women are strikingly odd. Princess Diana is described as "a clothes-horse", Queen Caroline we are told smelt bad, Catherine of Aragon had lost her figure apparently while Catherine of Braganza looked like a bat. It would be unfair to expect a writer to be Gallant but this isn't even handed - men aren't described in this way by Starkey. He has some weird opinions such as apparently taking seriously rumours that James II's son may have been a changeling and his belief that Britain was left in a worse state after the end of the second world war than after the seven years war (I believe Starkey isn't a fan of the Welfare State, but he offers no explanation for his opinion). And very oddly Ireland is never mentioned but the USA is.
At times Starkey seems close to wanting to go down a blood, gore and gossip approach, which would be OK, but he pulls out, satisfying himself by making arch comments about various people's sex lives instead. One is again obliged by Starkey to think that he wishes to achieve notoriety.
Despite flagging up how keen he is to discuss the ideas and ideologies of monarchy, when it comes down to it (with the partial exception of his beloved Tudors) he lets the opportunity slip by. My recommendation would be to let this book slip by you too.
March 24, 2012
David Starkey used to drive me insane on 'The Moral Maze', an ethics programme on radio 4. He had to be the rudest and most viscious tongued brat that bestrode the airwaves like a poisonous colossus or maybe that was colonoscopy; either way he was not my favourite person but in this book he manages to endear himself to me by a windwhistle but fascinating tour though the 500 or so years of Monarchy from Henry VII's accession in 1485 to Prince Charles' marriage to Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2006.
He manages to describe in witty and fast moving narrative an enormous tapestry of beautiful design matched with vibrant colours, a few pulled threads, some nasty snagged points and one or two places where it seemed to be unravelling.
Easy to follow, relatively even handed in his dealings with the various personalities, though his favourites do leap off the page, and an intriguing last reflection on the future of the Monarchy. Quite clearly Starkey is a fan of Prince Charles and it is refreshingly unusual to hear the poor man acknowledged as the genuine person he probably is. Starkey appears unconvinced by the hagiography surrounding Princess Diana and his pointing out her raising the 'unexpected photo opportunity' to an art form was a catty comment that I could not help but smirk at.
As always this book is not going to turn you into an expert but it does enable you to follow the development of this incredibly, to a large extent, stable form of Head of State. Whilst most monarchies have disappeared from the world stage or sunk into a sidelined Scandinavian niceness or morphed into a Saudi Tyranny, the House of Windsor seems to have done the impossible and climbed over the disastrous hurdles and confusions of its own making in the last few years to begin the move forward into the next decades of what might have been its death knell but, according to Starkey, might instead see its rebirth as a transformed, modernized Institution. After this trawl through history I, for one, shall watch with great fascination.
He manages to describe in witty and fast moving narrative an enormous tapestry of beautiful design matched with vibrant colours, a few pulled threads, some nasty snagged points and one or two places where it seemed to be unravelling.
Easy to follow, relatively even handed in his dealings with the various personalities, though his favourites do leap off the page, and an intriguing last reflection on the future of the Monarchy. Quite clearly Starkey is a fan of Prince Charles and it is refreshingly unusual to hear the poor man acknowledged as the genuine person he probably is. Starkey appears unconvinced by the hagiography surrounding Princess Diana and his pointing out her raising the 'unexpected photo opportunity' to an art form was a catty comment that I could not help but smirk at.
As always this book is not going to turn you into an expert but it does enable you to follow the development of this incredibly, to a large extent, stable form of Head of State. Whilst most monarchies have disappeared from the world stage or sunk into a sidelined Scandinavian niceness or morphed into a Saudi Tyranny, the House of Windsor seems to have done the impossible and climbed over the disastrous hurdles and confusions of its own making in the last few years to begin the move forward into the next decades of what might have been its death knell but, according to Starkey, might instead see its rebirth as a transformed, modernized Institution. After this trawl through history I, for one, shall watch with great fascination.
July 4, 2009
Three stars only because there is no citation or biblography. Honestly David Starkey, I expected better from you.
That said, this book is very readable. The prose is compelling and not dry at all. Starkey writes like he talks, but since this a book, I am spared his facial expressions that drive me nuts when I watch him. I swear, he is always looking down his nose at me. I guess my only quibble is that sometimes Starkey seems not to like women very much. Some of his comments are very catty -Queen Anne was described as having a body that went to seed after her various miscarriages. Starkey takes the reader into the present day and presents a somewhat favorable last chapter on Prince Charles. It's a good read.
That said, this book is very readable. The prose is compelling and not dry at all. Starkey writes like he talks, but since this a book, I am spared his facial expressions that drive me nuts when I watch him. I swear, he is always looking down his nose at me. I guess my only quibble is that sometimes Starkey seems not to like women very much. Some of his comments are very catty -Queen Anne was described as having a body that went to seed after her various miscarriages. Starkey takes the reader into the present day and presents a somewhat favorable last chapter on Prince Charles. It's a good read.
November 4, 2023
2.5 ish?
there wasn't even a bibliography
there wasn't even a bibliography
April 2, 2018
Listened to this book for the last month or so. I always like it when the author narrates his own books, especially when the author has a tolerable, and in this case pleasurable, voice. The book is an amazing feat of exposition of the British Monarchy ranging from after the War of the Roses to the modern period. It is written in beautiful prose that accentuate but do not overtake the historical events, something I wish historians would do more often.
Starkey is an academic writing in his field, he gives forth the fruits of his labour and neither presents it in a condescending manner nor in a cold and austere manner. He has a very (I hate using this word) in-depth analysis of the most consistent theme in British history: Monarchy.
He isn't glib like many of the modern and mostly left-leaning historians, he takes this subject with the context with which it presents itself, not imposing some post-modern lens onto history. I really liked his chapters on Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, he didn't do what a lot of popular historians do which is to act like tabloids, commenting only on sandals and leaving a huge chunk of economic, social and religious context out.
Overall I really enjoyed this Audiobook.
Starkey is an academic writing in his field, he gives forth the fruits of his labour and neither presents it in a condescending manner nor in a cold and austere manner. He has a very (I hate using this word) in-depth analysis of the most consistent theme in British history: Monarchy.
He isn't glib like many of the modern and mostly left-leaning historians, he takes this subject with the context with which it presents itself, not imposing some post-modern lens onto history. I really liked his chapters on Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, he didn't do what a lot of popular historians do which is to act like tabloids, commenting only on sandals and leaving a huge chunk of economic, social and religious context out.
Overall I really enjoyed this Audiobook.
January 9, 2015
This is quite a fascinating book giving you a sanpshot of the Kings and Queens of England since Richard III and how Monarchy has adapted to meet the needs of the times and to ensure monarchy survived. Most focus is up to the time of Victoria, with a small section of 20th and 21st Century Monarchy. I would have liked more detail on the 20th and 21st Century but I learnt quite a lot about some Kings and Queens I knew little about. This is a companion to a TV series (which I haven't watched) and was listened to on audio, the narrator being the author! This somehow made it more poignant. It also helps you to see that Monarchy is going to need to adapt if it is to survive the 21st Century. Perhaps King William V will be the author of this change, just as his namesake William IV whilst only being King for 7 years was responsible for some of the major changes In the past. If you are interested in Monarchy I would recommend the book, but be aware there is only an hour at most (sometimes less) covering a monarch's reign because it is more about the monarchy than the monarch. At the end of the audiobook was an interview with the author which I also found very interesting.
April 6, 2020
Educational
I found that there was much I already knew in this book as well as lots of new thought provoking material. It almost entirely covered the relationship between Monarch and Parliament. Some of it a little dry, but still very educational.
I found that there was much I already knew in this book as well as lots of new thought provoking material. It almost entirely covered the relationship between Monarch and Parliament. Some of it a little dry, but still very educational.
March 8, 2018
I'm often put off by Starkey because of his modern day reflections, and his absolute adherence to a top-down view of history. But this book was within reach and I wanted to finally get my Kings and Queens in order. As is, the book is rather brilliant. One probably should have a top-down view of history when your subject matter is the monarch of the day, and thus even Starkey's zealotry was more than tolerable. It is probably the type of book that should be required reading for anyone even slightly interested in British politics, but even for leisure it's a thoroughly well paced and considerate journey through British history.
I would like to read an epilogue that reflects on the most recent editions to the royal family, and whether this is a break or continuation of tradition - which is a recommendation to the book, rather than an attack on its scope.
I would like to read an epilogue that reflects on the most recent editions to the royal family, and whether this is a break or continuation of tradition - which is a recommendation to the book, rather than an attack on its scope.
March 13, 2024
Brilliant, audio as I could listen to David Starkey all day, and, I did.
April 13, 2025
An interesting overview of the English monarchy starting with the Tudor dynasty through to the early 2000's. Given the breadth of the time period, it is impossible to give full details of the reigns of every monarch but an outline with highlights of each is provided. The writing is easy to read with more complex political divisions explained in a simple way for the reader to follow without needed much prior knowledge. Starkey says in his introduction that his focus is more on the ideas and ideals of each era and he carries this well through the book.
Unfortunately the other thing that carries through the book is Starkey's blind disregard for women. Henry VIII spit with Rome because Katherine of Aragon let herself run fat. The Imperial Crown is referred to as sitting next to Charles I in a portrait but the equally famous portrait of Elizabeth I wearing it is overlooked. We hear nothing of substance about Queen Mary Stuart but plenty about her co-regnant William of Orange. Victoria's rule is only successful because Albert took charge. Diana was a self-centred, adulterous clothes horse while Charles was 'ambivalent' until he married his true love. And Elizabeth II (still reigning at the time of publication) is noteworthy only for looking back to her father's reign while Charles 'is the only one' who can save the modern monarchy and aspire to direct the voluntary side of social life in his subjects- the only example of which is that he funded the reservation of a Georgian mansion...
To be fair, Starkey doesn't paint all Kings with rose coloured glasses, pointing out many flaws along the way but it is hard not to notice the disproportionate language used to describe women in power compared to men.
Overall, I would still recommend this as an overview of English history throughout the lens of it's rulers but be mindful of the inbuilt prejudices along the way.
Unfortunately the other thing that carries through the book is Starkey's blind disregard for women. Henry VIII spit with Rome because Katherine of Aragon let herself run fat. The Imperial Crown is referred to as sitting next to Charles I in a portrait but the equally famous portrait of Elizabeth I wearing it is overlooked. We hear nothing of substance about Queen Mary Stuart but plenty about her co-regnant William of Orange. Victoria's rule is only successful because Albert took charge. Diana was a self-centred, adulterous clothes horse while Charles was 'ambivalent' until he married his true love. And Elizabeth II (still reigning at the time of publication) is noteworthy only for looking back to her father's reign while Charles 'is the only one' who can save the modern monarchy and aspire to direct the voluntary side of social life in his subjects- the only example of which is that he funded the reservation of a Georgian mansion...
To be fair, Starkey doesn't paint all Kings with rose coloured glasses, pointing out many flaws along the way but it is hard not to notice the disproportionate language used to describe women in power compared to men.
Overall, I would still recommend this as an overview of English history throughout the lens of it's rulers but be mindful of the inbuilt prejudices along the way.
May 10, 2023
The timing was perfect to pick this up again. Learning more about Charles I and II just as Charles III was being crowned.
I like the way Starkey writes and found this book very interesting (although his assertion that Queen Victoria wasn’t really a Queen because Albert was the one who ruled i did struggle with).
It also completely skipped over Queen Elizabeth II to talk about Princess Diana. But apart from that i enjoyed it.
I like the way Starkey writes and found this book very interesting (although his assertion that Queen Victoria wasn’t really a Queen because Albert was the one who ruled i did struggle with).
It also completely skipped over Queen Elizabeth II to talk about Princess Diana. But apart from that i enjoyed it.
February 17, 2021
A very enjoyable book that looks at the history of the monarchy from Henry VIII to Queen Victoria. While the book is a survey of English/British monarchial history and has no references, there is still a lot of interesting historical detail. If you are about to begin studying one of the centuries covered in this book, reading the relevant chapter(s) would be a good place to begin. Unlike many historians, David Starkey is an excellent stylist and is very easy to read.
September 7, 2024
I understand that this is a pop history book, but it really could have done with more detail. Every time Starkey got into something fascinating he danced away from it again, and the central thread of the development of the monarchy as an institution was lost to what was essentially a non-analytical recap of English history. It was well-written and I enjoyed it but it left me feeling unsatisfied.
Also, Starkey is so into Charles. I wonder what he thinks about him now that he’s king.
Also, Starkey is so into Charles. I wonder what he thinks about him now that he’s king.
May 16, 2020
Enjoyed this, especially the start. Towards the end I found it a little tiresome but I think the author’s specialised in Tudor and Stuarts so it’s not surprising that his enthusiasm for these kings and queens comes across better than the later monarchs.
August 30, 2022
A brilliant read. Loved it
May 7, 2022
I thought the Tudor chapters were well written - as can be expected by a Tudor historian. But it quickly becomes boring and uninspired as it seems obvious that Starkey loses interest unless making comparisons to more modern tory MPs. Another issue is Starkey's portrayal and description of women and 'theorised' members of the LGBTQ+ community - the descriptions seem to be largely degrading and unnecessary to the argument he attempts to make.
July 13, 2015
Picture Credits
Genealogy
Introduction: The Imperial Crown
--Monarchy: England and Her Rulers from the Tudors to the Windsors
Index
Genealogy
Introduction: The Imperial Crown
--Monarchy: England and Her Rulers from the Tudors to the Windsors
Index
January 2, 2024
A bit boring and superficial. But the book is okay for a quick overview of the British monarchy since the early modern period.
December 8, 2021
David Starkey's Monarchy provides a comprehensive history of the English Crown from Henry VII's 1485 accession through to the present day. It examines the ways in which the functions of the monarchy have changed and adapted through the centuries, and also provides an overview of the personal histories of those who have worn the crown during that period.
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It has been a long while since I read anything by Starkey but I always enjoy his books - the content is informative, and Starkey's writing style is enjoyable and easy to follow. Monarchy is no exception; the subject matter is fascinating and filled with enough spectacle, drama, and gore to put Hollywood to shame, making for a captivating read.
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Compared to some of Starkey's other works, Monarchy lacks the high level of personal detail that I've previously enjoyed, but that's clearly unavoidable when the subject matter is the institution of monarchy rather than a particular monarch. In fact, Starkey's avoidance of becoming overly biographical in Monarchy meant that the book flowed well as it seamlessly charted the transition of power from one monarch to the next without getting bogged down in the detail.
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I'm something of a history enthusiast but I generally learn things by becoming really interested in one particular person, learning about them, and then moving on to a completely different subject. As a result, my knowledge is spectacularly patchy, and absolutely non-existent in some areas. The vast time period covered by this book meant that I could put what I did know about the Tudors and Stuarts into the context of the English monarchy generally, and it allowed me to build a better picture of the relevant timelines.
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I'd definitely recommend Monarchy as an educational but easily digestible overview of the English Crown. I also liked that the audiobook was narrated by Starkey himself.
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It has been a long while since I read anything by Starkey but I always enjoy his books - the content is informative, and Starkey's writing style is enjoyable and easy to follow. Monarchy is no exception; the subject matter is fascinating and filled with enough spectacle, drama, and gore to put Hollywood to shame, making for a captivating read.
📚
Compared to some of Starkey's other works, Monarchy lacks the high level of personal detail that I've previously enjoyed, but that's clearly unavoidable when the subject matter is the institution of monarchy rather than a particular monarch. In fact, Starkey's avoidance of becoming overly biographical in Monarchy meant that the book flowed well as it seamlessly charted the transition of power from one monarch to the next without getting bogged down in the detail.
📚
I'm something of a history enthusiast but I generally learn things by becoming really interested in one particular person, learning about them, and then moving on to a completely different subject. As a result, my knowledge is spectacularly patchy, and absolutely non-existent in some areas. The vast time period covered by this book meant that I could put what I did know about the Tudors and Stuarts into the context of the English monarchy generally, and it allowed me to build a better picture of the relevant timelines.
📚
I'd definitely recommend Monarchy as an educational but easily digestible overview of the English Crown. I also liked that the audiobook was narrated by Starkey himself.
📚
April 14, 2020
A fantastic way to dip your toe into English history.
I really enjoyed this read. Some criticise it for being too light on but I actually found the easy tone and higher level approach made it a breeze to get through and stopped it being too heavy. Sure, if you’re looking for the most comprehensive, detail focused account of English history then this might not be for you. However, if you’re like me, just dipping your toes into the topic and looking for an engaging, approachable way to familiarise yourself with the quagmire of names, dates, revolutions etc then I can highly recommend this book.
Starkey’s tone is approachable and humorous, rendering a potentially dense subject entertaining and interesting. I often begin history books with great enthusiasm and curiosity only to find myself reaching for fiction instead after a few reading sessions. Not so with this book. Time and time again I picked it up, eager to find out what happened next in the tale of the English Monarchy.
Were some topics only touched upon briefly? Yes. Did I supplement some points with other research? Absolutely. Will I be starting another perhaps deeper exploration of this topic now? Yes! But isn’t that a great outcome? To enjoy non-fiction with the same voracious appetite as I consumed some of my favourite fiction novels, and to be left with even greater curiosity is, at least in my opinion, a ringing endorsement of this book.
Happy reading!
I really enjoyed this read. Some criticise it for being too light on but I actually found the easy tone and higher level approach made it a breeze to get through and stopped it being too heavy. Sure, if you’re looking for the most comprehensive, detail focused account of English history then this might not be for you. However, if you’re like me, just dipping your toes into the topic and looking for an engaging, approachable way to familiarise yourself with the quagmire of names, dates, revolutions etc then I can highly recommend this book.
Starkey’s tone is approachable and humorous, rendering a potentially dense subject entertaining and interesting. I often begin history books with great enthusiasm and curiosity only to find myself reaching for fiction instead after a few reading sessions. Not so with this book. Time and time again I picked it up, eager to find out what happened next in the tale of the English Monarchy.
Were some topics only touched upon briefly? Yes. Did I supplement some points with other research? Absolutely. Will I be starting another perhaps deeper exploration of this topic now? Yes! But isn’t that a great outcome? To enjoy non-fiction with the same voracious appetite as I consumed some of my favourite fiction novels, and to be left with even greater curiosity is, at least in my opinion, a ringing endorsement of this book.
Happy reading!
February 6, 2024
Great read
"Monarchy" by historian David Starkey is a beautifully written history of the development of the British monarchy from medieval times onwards. The story of the constant, often involuntary adjustments of the monarchy to hold on to its position is portrayed in a very clear way, making the book a joy to read.
In my opinion, the writer has found a good balance between important historical developments, constitutional changes and personal stories of monarchs and other players. The result is that the story has a natural flow, giving all monarchs equal attention and showing connections between events, reigns and changes unknown to me.
From a Dutch point of view, where Willem III (from William and Mary) is one of our less appealing and influential monarchs, the writer gives William of Orange credits for being the founder of modern Britain. I would love to see Starkey write a similar history on the Dutch monarchy.
All in all, "Monarchy" is wonderfully written and reads like a train. Starkey has managed to create one big, logical story in stead of a series of unconnected chapters as taught at school: Chapeau!
"Monarchy" by historian David Starkey is a beautifully written history of the development of the British monarchy from medieval times onwards. The story of the constant, often involuntary adjustments of the monarchy to hold on to its position is portrayed in a very clear way, making the book a joy to read.
In my opinion, the writer has found a good balance between important historical developments, constitutional changes and personal stories of monarchs and other players. The result is that the story has a natural flow, giving all monarchs equal attention and showing connections between events, reigns and changes unknown to me.
From a Dutch point of view, where Willem III (from William and Mary) is one of our less appealing and influential monarchs, the writer gives William of Orange credits for being the founder of modern Britain. I would love to see Starkey write a similar history on the Dutch monarchy.
All in all, "Monarchy" is wonderfully written and reads like a train. Starkey has managed to create one big, logical story in stead of a series of unconnected chapters as taught at school: Chapeau!
May 12, 2023
A reasonably quick snapshot of British Monarchy between the end of the Wars of the Roses to the marriage of Charles and Camilla.
Narrated by Starkey himself, he does enthusiastically over enunciate throughout the book (as is his habit!), but this was made infinitely better by the fact it was just his voice and not his facial expressions I was subjected too. (Anyone else think he looks down at you constantly??)
I like to think myself of a possible “subject expert” when it comes to Plantagenet and Tudor history, but I am most certainly a novice with anything Stuart and beyond. I absolutely learned more than I expected and enjoyed it along the way (school made the Stuarts seem so boring!)
Although coming across as a little boorish and misogynistic when speaking around women (particularly Queen Katherine of Aragorn and Queen Anne Boleyn), Starkey does deliver an interesting and thought provoking book, exploring not only the British Monarchy’s lineage but also it’s thought process on their “right to rule” opinions.
Narrated by Starkey himself, he does enthusiastically over enunciate throughout the book (as is his habit!), but this was made infinitely better by the fact it was just his voice and not his facial expressions I was subjected too. (Anyone else think he looks down at you constantly??)
I like to think myself of a possible “subject expert” when it comes to Plantagenet and Tudor history, but I am most certainly a novice with anything Stuart and beyond. I absolutely learned more than I expected and enjoyed it along the way (school made the Stuarts seem so boring!)
Although coming across as a little boorish and misogynistic when speaking around women (particularly Queen Katherine of Aragorn and Queen Anne Boleyn), Starkey does deliver an interesting and thought provoking book, exploring not only the British Monarchy’s lineage but also it’s thought process on their “right to rule” opinions.
December 12, 2022
By pure coincedence I picked this book up after reading 'To Play the King' on September 4th from a charity shop in London as I was looking for something to read on the train home.
After the sad news of September 8th I made it my mission to finish this book ASAP. There were elements of Starkey's arguments I disagree with, coming as he does from an atheistic background.
But his account, normative not entirely positive, of how monarchy supplanted Christianity as the nation's religion in the 16th and then the 20th century is fascinating and needs to be engaged with in the 21st.
The book was written in the mid 2000s. I think history will judge it to be fortunate that Charles III did not accede shortly after it was published, but rather in the 2020s. Alas this means Starkey's prognostications (and what else do we study history for) about Charles III's hypothetical reign or non-reign have been disproven.
After the sad news of September 8th I made it my mission to finish this book ASAP. There were elements of Starkey's arguments I disagree with, coming as he does from an atheistic background.
But his account, normative not entirely positive, of how monarchy supplanted Christianity as the nation's religion in the 16th and then the 20th century is fascinating and needs to be engaged with in the 21st.
The book was written in the mid 2000s. I think history will judge it to be fortunate that Charles III did not accede shortly after it was published, but rather in the 2020s. Alas this means Starkey's prognostications (and what else do we study history for) about Charles III's hypothetical reign or non-reign have been disproven.
June 30, 2019
I know David Starkey is a bit unpopular, but I enjoyed his Monarchy series on TV. I listened on Audible and quite like his narration, but as a popular history writer I prefer Alison Weir or Mark Morris.
I know my British Kings and Queens (with the 17th century being a bit hazy) but Starkey's account of Charles II-James II was quite confusing, mainly because he kept jumping back and forth and I was never entirely clear which one he was talking about.
I enjoyed the earlier part on the Tudors much more, but as that is Starley's area of expertise, I would probably expect that.
As a book that claims to take the story of the Monarchy from the Tudors to the present day, I would expect more on the few lines of the 1936 Abdication and the reign of Elizabeth II (currently running at 65 years +)
I know my British Kings and Queens (with the 17th century being a bit hazy) but Starkey's account of Charles II-James II was quite confusing, mainly because he kept jumping back and forth and I was never entirely clear which one he was talking about.
I enjoyed the earlier part on the Tudors much more, but as that is Starley's area of expertise, I would probably expect that.
As a book that claims to take the story of the Monarchy from the Tudors to the present day, I would expect more on the few lines of the 1936 Abdication and the reign of Elizabeth II (currently running at 65 years +)
March 14, 2023
I can't pass up a David Starkey book, especially when it is narrated by the author himself. As an American, I find the idea of monarchy fascinatingly absurd and wonder how on earth they have gotten people to go along with it for 1000 years. Starkey's stories of the how the crown has evolved since the 1500s, and reinvented itself and its role and purpose, and the often flawed and quirky individuals who have worn it, go a long way in explaining how the monarchy provides the context and continuity for the British identity and understanding who they are. I can't say I totally get it, but I'm fascinated all the same.
July 12, 2019
An appetizer
An easy and enjoyable read. I found it somewhat lacking in depth and detail in places and found that I needed to research further to fulfill my curiosity. I would read more David Starkey book though as he certainly dress a hunger to learn more. A personal annoyance for me in his style of writing is the continued and frequent use of the word 'But' at the start of a sentence.
An easy and enjoyable read. I found it somewhat lacking in depth and detail in places and found that I needed to research further to fulfill my curiosity. I would read more David Starkey book though as he certainly dress a hunger to learn more. A personal annoyance for me in his style of writing is the continued and frequent use of the word 'But' at the start of a sentence.
January 11, 2022
A very readable and lively book of 300 pages to take you from the War of the Roses until the present day. It gives memorable snapshots of all the monarchs and the major players of the periods - Napoleon, Robert Peel, Robert Walpole, John Churchill etc - to illuminate the development of the monarchy as an institution.
I'd definitely recommend it as a sort of introduction to the kings/queens and major political events of the past 500 years
I'd definitely recommend it as a sort of introduction to the kings/queens and major political events of the past 500 years
May 29, 2023
Got the audiobook as part of Amazon's regular 2for1 sales even though the ebook is available on the library. So glad I did because this book toes the line between been informative enough for me to continue listening/reading without being too interesting that I stop doing my errands or stop falling asleep at night (when I tend to queue audiobook chapters).
At the very least, this book got me to add The Favourite back into my to-watch list? Hm.
At the very least, this book got me to add The Favourite back into my to-watch list? Hm.
December 22, 2023
I really enjoy learning about the monarchy, I find it a fascinating subject. I decided to read this book as it started with the Tudors, my favourite monarchy to learn about. The book was full of a lot of interesting facts and was fairly easy to follow along. It was a long book, but with any books on this subject it's to be expected. The audio book was a bit dry, there could've been a better narrator but I still enjoyed learning about the monarchs from Tudors to the Windsors.
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