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Review
'A stylish courtier's-eye view of the reigns of George I and George II ... reveals the complexity, anxiety and pathos behind the facade of those caught up in the golden circle of the Court.' --Sunday Telegraph, Books of the Year
'We have a fine modern historian to guide us through the dreamlike maze of palace life.' --The Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'We have a fine modern historian to guide us through the dreamlike maze of palace life.' --The Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'Those who attended court have typically been painted as sycophants seeking to improve their station, but here a more nuanced picture emerges ... there are also detailed portraits of court life, and some compelling characters.' --Sunday Business Post
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'A vivid portrait of courtly politicking.' --The Times
'Rich, amusing gaze at the courts of George I and II ... because it engages immediately with its small and large plots and its wonderful characterisation, the work, though strictly history, reads as a novel ...but this is no giddy read. At the end you're left with a sympathetic and informed sense of the transition from Stuart to Hanoverian public life.' --Irish Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'A sparkling compendium of Georgian gossip.' --Independent
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'We have a fine modern historian to guide us through the dreamlike maze of palace life.' --The Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'We have a fine modern historian to guide us through the dreamlike maze of palace life.' --The Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'Those who attended court have typically been painted as sycophants seeking to improve their station, but here a more nuanced picture emerges ... there are also detailed portraits of court life, and some compelling characters.' --Sunday Business Post
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'A vivid portrait of courtly politicking.' --The Times
'Rich, amusing gaze at the courts of George I and II ... because it engages immediately with its small and large plots and its wonderful characterisation, the work, though strictly history, reads as a novel ...but this is no giddy read. At the end you're left with a sympathetic and informed sense of the transition from Stuart to Hanoverian public life.' --Irish Times
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
'A sparkling compendium of Georgian gossip.' --Independent
'Taking the sixteen courtiers represented in William Kent's Grand Staircase painting, Worsley herds them through the glittering confusion of the court so vividly that one can hear them scheming.' --Independent on Sunday Books of the Year
Book Description
In the eighteenth century, the palace's most elegant assembly room was in fact a bloody battlefield. This was a world of skulduggery, politicking, wigs and beauty-spots, where fans whistled open like flick-knives.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved the cover of this book with the depiction of the courtiers and elegant scrolled metallic writing. However not to judge the book by the cover I plunged in - and had to force myself to emerge from the pages.Molly Lepel her husband the bisexual John Hervey, the fascinating Queen Caroline with the fiery King George II. Even the tactiturn George Lewis with his exotic Turkish attendants spring into life showing the colour and decadence of the Georgian court.
The accounts of medical procedures caused me to shudder in sympathy with Caroline and I was fascinated by Peter the wild boy.
The museums, the novelties, the pastimes - all appealed to me.
Court ettiquette is discussed in detail with the fashions and wonderful names for the different styles of mens wigs including snail back.
My only gripe is the length of the book. I would love it to be double the size.
The accounts of medical procedures caused me to shudder in sympathy with Caroline and I was fascinated by Peter the wild boy.
The museums, the novelties, the pastimes - all appealed to me.
Court ettiquette is discussed in detail with the fashions and wonderful names for the different styles of mens wigs including snail back.
My only gripe is the length of the book. I would love it to be double the size.
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The scene: Kensington Place in the early eighteenth century. The main characters are a disparate and motley bunch: Prince George Augustus(later to become George the Second), his wife, the "fat, funny and adorable" Princess Caroline and Henrietta Howard the mistress Prince George thought due to his position rather than his desire. Then there is the ubiquitous Lord Hervey, Peter the Wild Boy and Mustafa and Mohammed George's Turkish servants. One of Mohammed's duties was to treat George's haemorrhoids while Mustapha dealt with his laxatives.
The wide-ranging supporting cast is as full as the whole court itself and features such characters as the enchanting Molly Lepel who was rather too fond of the bottle and the unloved heir to the throne Prince Frederick.
Concentrating on the lives of the main characters the book ranges widely throughout the life of George the Second as both prince and king and paints a vivid portrait of the preoccupations of court life: an endless round of back-biting, place-seeking, scandal political and sexual, strict attention to etiquette and endless games of cards to kill time.
Nothing is gone into very deeply but it is a highly enjoyable and engaging romp through the largely overlooked period of the reigns of the first two Georges. It left me wanting to know much more, especially about Caroline, acknowledged to be "the cleverest queen consort ever to sit on the throne".
Frothy as the lace ruffles on the court ladies gowns, this is a highly addictive read.
The wide-ranging supporting cast is as full as the whole court itself and features such characters as the enchanting Molly Lepel who was rather too fond of the bottle and the unloved heir to the throne Prince Frederick.
Concentrating on the lives of the main characters the book ranges widely throughout the life of George the Second as both prince and king and paints a vivid portrait of the preoccupations of court life: an endless round of back-biting, place-seeking, scandal political and sexual, strict attention to etiquette and endless games of cards to kill time.
Nothing is gone into very deeply but it is a highly enjoyable and engaging romp through the largely overlooked period of the reigns of the first two Georges. It left me wanting to know much more, especially about Caroline, acknowledged to be "the cleverest queen consort ever to sit on the throne".
Frothy as the lace ruffles on the court ladies gowns, this is a highly addictive read.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very very very good book! Read it in one rainy Sunday from cover to cover (devoured every page, including the Bibliography).
Thoroughly recommended. A great general interest read for anyone with any level of prior knowledge in the Eighteenth century Court and George I and George II's family life. The famous and the unknown people in this world are brought to life in these beautifully written chapters. Very readable - very interesting - very worthwhile!
Thoroughly recommended. A great general interest read for anyone with any level of prior knowledge in the Eighteenth century Court and George I and George II's family life. The famous and the unknown people in this world are brought to life in these beautifully written chapters. Very readable - very interesting - very worthwhile!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disjointed but interesting historical read
I have found this book to be historically interesting and have learnt about the decline of the court in 18th century Britain in a series of light hearted and amusing anecdotes and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by RegencyAddict
Fascinating insight
I read this book after visiting Kensington Palace in August 2011, loved the palace and thoroughly enjoyed the book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by lilyrhodes
Great fun and full of information
This is a fascinating book. Lucy Worsley has written an account of the courts of the Hanoverian Georges by highlighting a few of the people who lived and worked there. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. K. A. P. Wright
Courtiers, The Secret History of the Georgian Court.
I found this book very interesting. Lucy Worsley has done a lot of research into this historical period and her portrayal of the Georgian Court is so vivid, she transports you to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by tobykin
Courtiers
Make no mistake this is no ordinary book. Open the cover and you are transported to the Georgian court. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lady from Plymouth
COURTIIERS by Lucy Worsley
Personal historys of George 1st and 2nd courts. Lucy Worsley using contempory writings weaves a magical path through the intrigues of the Geogian courts. Read more
Published 7 months ago by DJ
A right royal Christmas present
This book describes people's everyday lives - the gameplaying, the push and shove to the top, and the utter vanity behind it all when you reach the very summit of society. Read more
Published 7 months ago by beth lamb
Really fascinating!
I bought this book when it was in the Amazon Kindle sale, otherwise it wouldn't have even been on my radar. I've never really been into Georgian history. Read more
Published 8 months ago by S. Pomfrett
An excellent read
A great read which brings to life the court of George I and George II. Its a wonderful view of social history of the time and helps the reader to understand some of the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Aligirlbear
Fantastic
One of the best history books I have read for some time. The author's enthusiasm for the subject comes over in every page. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. M. J. Payne
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