Courtiers: The Secret History of Kensington Palace
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'Perhaps now the definitive work on the early Hanoverian court ... The depth of Worsley's scholarship is demonstrated by the absence of fudged details. She clarifies points of etiquette and toilette, for example, that most historians of the 18th century only half understand ... As in her previous book, Cavalier, Worsley's style is wonderfully readable and her talent for empathy enormous.' --Ophelia Field, Sunday Telegraph
'As chief curator of the Historic Royal Palaces charity Worsley couldn't have been in a better position to winkle out the secrets of one of the palaces under her aegis. She has written a book that vividly brings to life the reigns of the first Hanoverian monarchs and almost humanises the two Georges ... One of the most appealing characters is Caroline of Ansbach, queen to George II, a woman who would rather have been a philosopher than a ruler, ill-treated yet loved by her husband. Her agonising end, brilliantly described, brought me to tears ... A compelling book.' --Peter Burton, Daily Express
'Worsley is excellent in her descriptions of court life and the tedium endured by those whom ambition subjected to it. She has a keen eye for oddity, offering nice character sketches. She is very agreeably informative about the lives of below-stairs servants, as well as ladies-in-waiting and equerries and other officials... This is an engaging, splendidly readable account of the first two Georgian courts.' --Allan Massie, Spectator
'As chief curator of the Historic Royal Palaces charity Worsley couldn't have been in a better position to winkle out the secrets of one of the palaces under her aegis. She has written a book that vividly brings to life the reigns of the first Hanoverian monarchs and almost humanises the two Georges ... One of the most appealing characters is Caroline of Ansbach, queen to George II, a woman who would rather have been a philosopher than a ruler, ill-treated yet loved by her husband. Her agonising end, brilliantly described, brought me to tears ... A compelling book.' --Peter Burton, Daily Express
'Worsley is excellent in her descriptions of court life and the tedium endured by those whom ambition subjected to it. She has a keen eye for oddity, offering nice character sketches. She is very agreeably informative about the lives of below-stairs servants, as well as ladies-in-waiting and equerries and other officials... This is an engaging, splendidly readable account of the first two Georgian courts.' --Allan Massie, Spectator
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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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
history "lite", but very enjoyable nonetheless,
By
This review is from: Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court: The Secret History of Kensington Palace (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.
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating book - the people leap into life,
By
This review is from: Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court: The Secret History of Kensington Palace (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.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book - fascinating stuff!,
By Keen Reader "lhendry4" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Courtiers: The Secret History of the Georgian Court: The Secret History of Kensington Palace (Hardcover)
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!
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