Includes insights into the lives of the current royal family Britain's heritage told through the colourful lives of its kings and queens The monarchy is at the heart of British life. If you're going to understand Britain and its history, you need to understand the story of its royal family. This lively guide walks you through the history of the British monarchy from the earliest times to the present day and covers the colourful characters, extraordinary events, power struggles, and politics that have shaped one of the most famous institutions in the world. Discover The origins of the British monarchy How the monarchy works The relationship between the royal family and the general public How the role of the monarch has changed over time What the monarch and the rest of the royal family do all day

Includes insights into the lives of the current royal familyBritain's heritage told through the colourful lives of itskings and queensThe monarchy is at the heart of British life. If you're going tounderstand Britain and its history, you need to understand thestory of its royal family. This lively guide walks you through thehistory of the British monarchy from the earliest times to thepresent day and covers the colourful characters, extraordinaryevents, power struggles, and politics that have shaped one of themost famous institutions in the world.Discover* The origins of the British monarchy* How the monarchy works* The relationship between the royal family and the generalpublic* How the role of the monarch has changed over time* What the monarch and the rest of the royal family do allday

Introduction 1Part I: All About the Monarchy 9Chapter 1: Ruling Principles 11Chapter 2: How the Monarchy Works 23Part II: Early Rulers 35Chapter 3: Mini-Kingdoms 37Chapter 4: England United 51Chapter 5: Danes versus Saxons 67Part III: The Middle Ages 79Chapter 6: Conquering Kings 81Chapter 7: Plantagenet Power Struggles 97Chapter 8: More Plantagenets 111Chapter 9: Lancaster and York: Fighting Families 131Part IV: The Kings of Scotland 149Chapter 10: Picts, Scots, and Others 151Chapter 11: Troublesome English, Troublesome Islanders 173Chapter 12: The Stewart Story 187Part V: Kingdoms United: Tudors, Stuarts, and Hanoverians 207Chapter 13: The Tudors: The Monarchy Triumphs 209Chapter 14: The Stuarts 231Chapter 15: The House of Hanover 253Part VI: Modern Royals: The House of Windsor 277Chapter 16: Monarchs at War 279Chapter 17: Thoroughly Modern Monarch: Elizabeth II 297Chapter 18: The Prince of Wales 315Part VII: The Part of Tens 331Chapter 19: Ten Royal Homes 333Chapter 20: Ten or So Royal Places 341Chapter 21: Ten Princes of Wales 349Chapter 22: Ten or So Charismatic Consorts 355Index 363