The Spencer Family

by Charles Spencer

Tracing the history of the Spencers from their beginnings as medieval sheep farmers, through centuries of service to country and crown to their high public profile following the marriage of Diana Spencer to the Prince of Wales, Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer, has written a superb and engaging work of family history.

Hugely enriched by his unique access to private papers and family memories, it details the lives of such fascinating figures as the romantic, chivalrous Henry Spencer, First Earl of Sunderland; Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, scandalizer and enchantress of eighteenth century high-society; and George Spencer, who, as Father Ignatius, rejected the privileges of his birth to live a life of poverty and chastity as a mendicant monk.

‘A labour of love and a very successful one… The Spencers have been leading actors on the British stage for more than 300 years. Look at every reign from James I onwards and you will find a Spencer in the thick of things. .. The women of the family have their own histories which are every bit as fascinating.’ - Amanda Foreman, Mail on Sunday

'Charles Spencer is a very good writer… a splendidly enjoyable, elegantly written narrative in which the author brings all his characters to life in a manner that is both at once astute and vivid.' - Literary Review

'A warm, entertaining and appropriately personal account of one of the most successful families England has produced.' -Daily Mail

'A history of his family which contrives to be always entertaining without descending to the trivial … he writes well, with wit and panache.' - Daily Telegraph

Charles Spencer was educated at Eton College and obtained his degree in Modern History at Magdalen College, Oxford. He is the author of five books, including the Sunday Times bestseller ‘Blenheim: The Battle for Europe’ (shortlisted for History Book of the Year, National Book Awards), 'Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I' and ‘Prince Rupert: The Last Cavalier’.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, British Literature, Royalty, Biography Memoir, 20th Century

Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 1999

Reviews

[Ghost of the Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never been especially fond of the current Earl Spencer i got into this one merely to satisfy a curiosity about Princess Diana´s background ...hey no one is perfect!
Well i was certainly in for a treat much to my surprise! honestly I have no idea if indeed the book was written by Earl Spencer or there´s a ghost writer lurking somewhere but can't say I give a damm!
So very easy to read, it is written in a very engaging style and i found myself at times almost seeing the earl sitting down to chat with me and tell his family´s history.
Yes for sure, it helps if you are a history geek like myself and especially a british one, but it takes a certain kind of author to engage its reader and dump facts, people, deaths and marriages on you without boring you to sleep! i think Earl Spencer may be just the one...even if his family´s absolutely fascinating past helped quite a lot!
Now i am curious to get my hands on the other books he wrote and see if the style remains just as engaging as here.
And desclaimer, I may have always liked Diana but that in no way influenced my opinion on this one....my one quibble, if you can call it that, it reads too fast! I wanted more!

Happy Readings!

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, brother of the late Princess of Wales, succeeded to the title at his father’s death in 1992. The 9th earl has an Oxford degree in modern history and a refreshingly unprotective attitude toward his own forebears (the probable descendants of Tudor sheep-farmers with no claim to a connection with the Le Despensers of Normandy, whatever family tradition says), among whom were some very iffy characters as well as art patrons, active politicians, and military heroes. Robert, the first Baron Spencer, was perhaps the wealthiest man in England. Henry Spencer, the first Earl of Sunderland, gave Charles I the sum of £10,000 on the eve of the Civil War, then died on the battlefield, while his ruthless and over-ambitious son became politically influential but was widely disliked. Georgiana, the celebrated Duchess of Devonshire in the 18th century, was a Spencer, but her sister, Lady Caroline Lamb, was Byron’s mistress. George John, the second earl, was the patron of Horatio Nelson and built the largest private library in Europe — but nearly bankrupted his family in the process. Sir Winston Churchill was a Spencer, too. The fifth earl was Viceroy of Ireland and served often in Gladstone’s cabinet, but never succeeded in his ambition to become Prime Minister. (Apparently, the less said about the present earl’s parents and step-parents, the better; the tabloids pretty much own that subject.) And through the centuries, the family has amassed and managed and conserved its wealth, built fine homes, collected fine art (and sat for Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Sargent), and gone about its business. While the history is anecdotal, not academic (although there’s a good selected bibliography), this is a recommended treatment of one of the less-famous (until Diana) titled families in Britain. I’m also relieved to say that, despite her brother’s well-publicized disapproval of the Windsors, the late princess gets only a brief mention at the end of the book. No tabloidism here.

[Susan Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting journey through English history by Princess Diana's younger brother Charles, who is now himself Earl Spencer. Many books on British history focus on the lives of the kings and queens but this one looks at the past through the lives of an important aristocratic family that was, for centuries, at the heart of government and the monarchy. I had no idea Diana came from such a long line of illustrious ministers and military heroes. Oh there were a few scoundrels over the years but by and large the Spencers are a very impressive lot. It ably proves the superior pedigree of Diana to the Prince of Wales with his Germanic roots. The only disappointment for me was the short shrift given by the author to his grandparents' and parents' generations. I would have enjoyed his dwelling on their lives with the same richness that he gave to earlier ancestors. And he leaves the story of his world famous sister to others.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, Romance, Action and Dare Doing!

Sounds like a great fiction romance novel, but no. This book is well written and researched history of the English Spencer Family from their earliest beginnings up to Princess Diana.

In reading this book, there are heartbreaking romances, political power plays with a few executions, inheritance of vast estates and wealth and the loss thereof to amaze you like no fiction could. This history of a pivotal aristocratic family reveals how it was enmeshed with the Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) and Cavendish (Duke of Devonshire) families and gives personal information about many historic figures. I highly recommend it for scholarship, history, immersion in the periods, and as good a read as a historical fiction. Except of course it's not fiction but life.

[Lezley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Charles Spencer. Having read quite a bit about British history it's fascinating to relive many historical moments through the eyes of the Spencer family. I believe that Charles Spencer makes every effort to give the reader a balanced view of the good and not so good characters. Throughout the centuries, the Spencer Family has been the custodians of so many truly British treasures and it's reassuring to know that the present Earl Spencer is carrying on the traditions with utmost care and devotedness.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because I love history, but I also wanted to tease out the Spencers in my family tree from this family. I love genealogy, I am always investigating where the people in my tree came from. What did they do? What were they like? I envy Charles Spencer for the access he has to his history, and that's why this book was so fascinating to me. I couldn't imagine living in the same house and being surrounded by objets and portraits from many generations, much less their letters and journals. While reading this, I finally found where my grandmother's notes were a little hopeful. Her typed notes on our Spencer line start with 3 generations of false leads before finding the correct line. Our Spencers were definitely Puritans that moved to Massachusetts during the great migration, specifically two brothers. One married into a family that connects me to William Bradford, William Brewster and Noah Webster. Most of my DNA cousins that I can trace are connected to the Barnes that married Theda Spencer. So this book was part of a long walk back to Bedford England, where the leased farmhouse still stands. So maybe I do have a little Althorp to go back to...

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting canter through 1000 years of the Spencer family history. Not academically challenging in any sense and seemed to get bogged down in unnecessary detail on some family members. There is the making of a good book within this family who have been at the forefront of much of British history however this book is not it.

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

It must be amazing to know so much about your family history and to be able to trace it so far back.
Was a bit disappointed there was not more about Diana & Charles growing up.

[Jonathan Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gave a surprisingly unbiased account of a somewhat powerful family's history that may or may not be interesting to anyone outside of the family.

[MaryJo Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Spencer has written several books about his family history and his family is one of the oldest in England with many stories to tell. He is a good writer and starts from 1066 when a Spencer fore-bearer was said to have come over with William the conqueror; to the early years of his life with his sister Diana. As he nears the 1800s and towards the present, there is more material to present and he includes many letters by and about his family. I thought more detail bogged down the book a little.. Still it was amazing all the stories he told from their long long history in England.

[Jennifer M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glossy family history carefully curated for the public eye. Interesting enough for what's in there but does leave you very well aware that you're only seeing what's in front of the curtain.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was extremely disappointed with this book. The last part was better but i thought it would be more about Diana Spencer and there was little mention of her. Very dry book not interesting at all.

[Hazel Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Thoroughly enjoyed reading the history of the Spencer family over the generations. Really well written of the ups and downs of family life.

[Jeffrey Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readable and concise history of one of England's more well known aristocratic families. This work by the current Earl Spencer brings to light many of his noteworthy ancestors who circulated in political and Royal arenas long before Diana, Princess of Wales came to the fore.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. British history through the eyes of the Spencers and their roles within it. Great.

[Philip Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know a lot more about a very rich, very influential British family. However, it became heavy reading; it did not grab me like other biographies of families have.

[Countess of Frogmere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight look at the Spencer family's history.