Crown & sceptre : a new history of the British monarchy, from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II

**A stunning tour de force and a remarkable achievement.** **- __Alison Weir__** **This is __Our Island Story__ for the modern age. __- Charles Spencer__** **'Not just a brilliant compendium of biographies, but the biography of an institution: a marvellous read' - __Tom Holland__** **'This royal throne of king**__**s, this sceptred isle'**__ (William Shakespeare, __Richard II__) The British monarchy is the one of the most iconic and enduring institutions in the world. It has weathered the storms of rebellion, revolution and war that brought many of Europe's royal families to an abrupt and bloody end. Its unique survival owes much to the fact that, for all its ancient traditions and protocol, the royal family has proved remarkably responsive to change, evolving to reflect the times. But for much of its history, it also spearheaded seismic change, shaping our religious, political and cultural identity and establishing the British monarchy as the envy of the world. There has never been a more apposite moment to consider the history of this extraordinary survivor. Within the next decade, there is likely to be a change of monarch, sparking renewed global interest on a scale not seen since Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. Even the media and popular frenzy evoked by recent royal events such as royal weddings and births will not compare to that generated by the accession of a new king. In the lead up to this pivotal moment in Britain's history, __Crown & Sceptre__ explores the history and evolution of the monarchy from 1066 to the present day, feeding the renewed interest not just in the modern royals but in the predecessors who helped shape the institution into what it is today. **"__Crown and Sceptre__ shows an astonishing command of a thousand years of the British monarchy, its traditions, roles and realities beyond the pageantry and romance. Beautifully crafted, insightful, and a genuine pleasure to read, it underscores the royal heritage at the heart of a nation." - __Lauren Mackay__** **"Crown and Sceptre" combines an eminently accessible narrative with a lucid scholarly lens. Tracy Borman skilfully unravels the trials and triumphs of this ever-shifting institution. By charting both the majesty and mechanics of monarchy, we get a vivid understanding of why its glittering gears shifted over time, and by whom the levers of change were pulled. A triumph.' __- Owen Emmerson, Curator at Hever Castle__** **'Tracy Borman's passion for the British monarch and the crown is infectious and compelling!' __- Estelle Paranque__** **'Borman embraces a huge task'** **__-__ Gerard DeGroot, __The Times__** **Enlightening, gripping and skilfully composed, Tracy Borman navigates the twists and turns of the British monarchy with an expert hand. A pacy narrative that's simply bursting with colour and intrigue, Crown and Sceptre is both powerful and compulsively readable. A masterpiece. __- Nicola Tallis__** A stunning tour de force and a remarkable achievement. - Alison Weir This is Our Island Story for the modern age. - Charles Spencer 'Not just a brilliant compendium of biographies, but the biography of an institution: a marvellous read' - Tom Holland 'This royal throne of king s, this sceptred isle' (William Shakespeare, Richard II ) The British monarchy is the one of the most iconic and enduring institutions in the world. It has weathered the storms of rebellion, revolution and war that brought many of Europe's royal families to an abrupt and bloody end. Its unique survival owes much to the fact that, for all its ancient traditions and protocol, the royal family has proved remarkably responsive to change, evolving to reflect the times. But for much of its history, it also spearheaded seismic change, shaping our religious, political and cultural identity and establishing the British monarchy as the envy of the world. There has never been a more apposite moment to consider the history of this extraordinary survivor. Within the next decade, there is likely to be a change of monarch, sparking renewed global interest on a scale not seen since Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. Even the media and popular frenzy evoked by recent royal events such as royal weddings and births will not compare to that generated by the accession of a new king. In the lead up to this pivotal moment in Britain's history, Crown & Sceptre explores the history and evolution of the monarchy from 1066 to the present day, feeding the renewed interest not just in the modern royals but in the predecessors who helped shape the institution into what it is today. " Crown and Sceptre shows an astonishing command of a thousand years of the British monarchy, its traditions, roles and realities beyond the pageantry and romance. Beautifully crafted, insightful, and a genuine pleasure to read, it underscores the royal heritage at the heart of a nation." - Lauren Mackay "Crown and Sceptre" combines an eminently accessible narrative with a lucid scholarly lens. Tracy Borman skilfully unravels the trials and triumphs of this ever-shifting institution. By charting both the majesty and mechanics of monarchy, we get a vivid understanding of why its glittering gears shifted over time, and by whom the levers of change were pulled. A triumph.' - Owen Emmerson, Curator at Hever Castle 'Tracy Borman's passion for the British monarch and the crown is infectious and compelling!' - Estelle Paranque 'Borman embraces a huge task' - Gerard DeGroot, The Times Enlightening, gripping and skilfully composed, Tracy Borman navigates the twists and turns of the British monarchy with an expert hand. A pacy narrative that's simply bursting with colour and intrigue, Crown and Sceptre is both powerful and compulsively readable. A masterpiece. - Nicola Tallis "Since William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, crossed the English Channel in 1066 to defeat King Harold II and unite England's various kingdoms, forty-one kings and queens have sat on Britain's throne: "shining examples of royal power and majesty alongside a rogue's gallery of weak, lazy, or evil monarchs," as Tracy Borman evocatively describes them in her sparkling chronicle, Crown & Sceptre. Ironically, during very few of these 955 years has the throne's occupant been unambiguously English-the Norman French, the Welsh-born Tudors, the Scottish Stuarts, and the Hanoverians and their German successors to the present day have dominated the throne. Appealing to the intrinsic fascination with British royalty, Borman lifts the veil to reveal the remarkable characters and personalities who have ruled and, since the Glorious Revolution of 1688, have more ceremonially reigned-a crucial distinction explaining the staying power of the monarchy as the royal family has evolved and adapted to the needs and opinions of its people, avoiding the storms of rebellion that brought many of Europe's royals to an abrupt end. Richard III; Henry VIII; Elizabeth I; George III; Victoria; Elizabeth II: their names evoke eras and dramatic events, forming the sweep of British history that Borman recounts. She is equally attuned to the fabric of monarchy: the impact of royal palaces; the way monarchs have been portrayed in art, on coins, in the media; the ceremony and pageantry surrounding the crown. In 2024, Elizabeth II would eclipse France's Louis XIV as the longest reigning monarch in history. Crown & Sceptre is a fitting tribute to her remarkable longevity and that of the magnificent institution she represents"--Publisher's description 'this Royal Throne Of Kings, This Sceptred Isle' (william Shakespeare, King Richard Ii) The British Monarchy Is The One Of The Most Iconic And Enduring Institutions In The World. It Has Weathered The Storms Of Rebellion, Revolution And War That Brought Many Of Europe's Royal Families To An Abrupt And Bloody End. Its Unique Survival Owes Much To The Fact That, For All Its Ancient Traditions And Protocol, The Royal Family Has Proved Remarkably Responsive To Change, Evolving To Reflect The Times. But For Much Of Its History, It Also Spearheaded Seismic Change, Shaping Our Religious, Political And Cultural Identity And Establishing The British Monarchy As The Envy Of The World. There Has Never Been A More Apposite Moment To Consider The History Of This Extraordinary Survivor. Within The Next Decade, There Is Likely To Be A Change Of Monarch, Sparking Renewed Global Interest On A Scale Not Seen Since Elizabeth Ii's Coronation In 1953. Even The Media And Popular Frenzy Evoked By Recent Royal Events Such As Royal Weddings And Births Will Not Compare To That Generated By The Accession Of A New King. In The Lead Up To This Pivotal Moment In Britain's History, Crown & Sceptre Explores The History And Evolution Of The Monarchy From 1066 To The Present Day, Feeding The Renewed Interest Not Just In The Modern Royals But In The Predecessors Who Helped Shape The Institution Into What It Is Today. An exploration of the history of the British monarchy from 1066 to the present day.