From one of our finest historians comes an outstanding exploration of the British monarchy from the retreat of the Romans up until the modern day. This compendium volume of two earlier books is fully revised & updated. The monarchy is one of Britain's most revered institutions -- but also one of its most tumultuous. In Crown & Country David Starkey charts its rollercoaster history from earliest times to the present; from the courtly love of the Middle Ages through the turbulent reign of the Tudors to the chaos of the Civil War. Starkey brings this tempestuous story up to date in this complete history guiding us through the Abdication Crisis to the dissolution of the marriage of Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer. He draws upon rank & romance in light of the wedding of Kate Middleton & Prince William & brings to life a cast of colourful characters & some riveting stories. Crown & Country is both a brilliant overview of the monarchy & a vividly iconoclastic portrait of British culture politics & nationhood.