Brief Lives Of The English Monarchs

Product Description

Hunchbacked Richard III, the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I, the grieving widow, Victoria, & the romantic who gave up his throne for love, Edward VIII — often the colourful kings & queens of England seem like mere caricature, while less familiar rulers like William IV or Henry VI have faded into the shadows of history. Carolly Erickson's sensitive & revealing portrayals bring new life to the big names, & light up some of our most neglected but intriguing royals. Here is, the puny Charles I, nervous, tense & socially awkward, the frail, slight Richard II, melancholic & sad, the homosexual James I with his handsome favourites, & the stuttering William II. Here are feudal warriors, Renaissance icons, Regency dandies, & modern constitutional monarchs — fascinating characters all. Award-winning historian Erickson tells the human stories with her characteristic blend of authenticity, engaging style & psychological insight. ` Erickson proves it is possible to write narrative history that is both popular & good.' Kathryn Hughes, Mail on Sunday ` Extremely readable & well-researched.' Nikolai Tolstoy, Literary Review ` Erickson brings Alexandra to life through her everyday doings & she is not sparing with the details, which helps to give a convincing sense of place to her narrative.'