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The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England
 
 

The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England (Paperback)

by Antonia Fraser (Editor)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: University of California Press; Reprint edition (1 Nov 1995)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0520204093
  • ISBN-13: 978-0520204096
  • Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 18.1 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,344,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

Product Description
The lives of England's Kings and Queens, from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II. This painstakingly illustrated book celebrates the Great Dynasties of English Royalty, from the establishment of the monarchical power base by the early Norman Kings through to the present Queen. The stories of the many monarchs and their colourful lives - some merry, some cruel, some heroic, others sinister - are presented by Antonia Fraser and a collection of specialist contributors who examine the histories of well loved monarchs such as Victoria as well as the lesser known such as Richard III. This edition includes a new essay detailing the recently tumultuous reign of the Windsors. Accompanying the text are 175 contemporary illustrations and drawings of the Royal coat of arms, with their significance explained by J.P.Brooke - Little, Richmond Herald of Arms. This is a glittering story of a thousand years of English history, as told through the lives and deeds of the nation's sovereigns. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author
Antonia Fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed historical works including the biographies, CROMWELL: OUR CHIEF OF MEN, KING CHARLES II and THE GUNPOWDER PLOT (CWA Non-Fiction Gold Dagger; St Louis Literary Award). She has written five highly praised books which focus on women in history, THE WEAKER VESSEL: WOMEN'S LOT IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND (Wolfson Award for History, 1984), THE WARRIOR QUEENS: BOADICEAS CHARIOT, THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, MARIE ANTOINETTE: THE JOURNEY (Franco-British Literary Prize 2001), which was made into a film by Sofia Coppola in 2006 and now most recently LOVE AND LOUIS XIV: THE WOMEN IN THE LIFE OF THE SUN KING. Antonia Fraser was made CBE in 1999, and awarded the Norton Medlicott Medal by the Historical Association in 2000. She lives in London and is currently working on a biography of Queen Elizabeth I. She was married to Harold Pinter who died on Christmas Eve 2008 and has eighteen grandchildren. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Royal portraits, 23 Dec 2005
By Kurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (London, SW1) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Antonia Fraser's 'The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England' has long been one of my favourite books (since my childhood, really), because it has both breadth and brevity simultaneously, a rare feat. Lady Fraser's style is evident here, a non-imposing and non-technical style, that is nonetheless satisfying to all but the most rigourous of academic historians.

Fraser's account begins with the Norman invasion; like many books on royal history, scant attention is paid to pre-Norman figures. Fraser groups the monarchs into categories:

Normans
Angevins
Plantagenets
House of Lancaster
House of York
Tudors
Stuarts
House of Hanover
House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
House of Windsor

Putting together the genealogical tables is a fun exercise--beware here, however, that lesser historical figures are left off the charts (thus, Queen Anne's bevy of children are not represented on the genealogy as none lived to assume the crown or perpetuate the line). Each monarch is given an article about 10-15 pages in length (a good bedtime reading length, I've found). Pictures and paintings help place visually the stories, together with the interspersed essays on coats-of-arms and other topics.

Fraser likes to find the humourous aspects whenever possible. Writing on William IV's distaste for the young Victoria's mother:' 'In 1836 the Duchess of Kent took over a large suite of rooms in Kensington Palace without the King's permission. William was furious. If he died now, Victoria would not be old enough to rule without her mother as Regent. At a public dinner, attended by more than a hundred guests, William said that he hoped his life would be spared long enough to prevent such a calamity.'

His wish was granted.

An ideal gift for anyone, child to adult, who has an interest in the history of the British royals, and a good ready-reference for students, this book is first-rate.

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45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and informative, 13 Feb 2001
A rare achievement to write a history book which could never gather dust in a bookcase. This comprehensive guide of royal lives spanning from thenormans to the present House of Windsor is so well constructed it makes anabsorbing read, as well as a useful reference book. It is beautifullyillustrated encompassing portraits heraldry etc. a postive gem
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A personal History of all Britains monarchs , 7 April 2007
By N. Collins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book is great
I have read many books on Kings and Queens but this has to be the best.
Each monarch has about 2 pages dedicated to them. In thses 2 pages you will find out alot about each monarch their goodside and badside. There is also a large selection of pictures. Unlike most others, this book offers personal pictures of each of the monarchs.
This great book is a MUST READ for those interested in Britains royal heritage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating
a fascinating look at the lives of some of the most bonkers, deluded, pampered and egotistical people ever to have lived. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Hambletta-Maud

5.0 out of 5 stars Royal portraits
Antonia Fraser's 'The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England' has long been one of my favourite books (since my childhood, really), because it has both breadth... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2005 by Kurt Messick

5.0 out of 5 stars Royal portraits
Antonia Fraser's 'The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England' has long been one of my favourite books (since my childhood, really), because it has both breadth... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2005 by Kurt Messick

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of a fascinating subject
I had been looking for a high quality survey of the history and development of the English monarchy - and I found it here. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2000

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