Dark history of the kings and queens of england : 1066 to the present day

A fascinating look at the long and sordid history of scandals, treason, torture, and conspiracies behind the staid British throne. Hundreds of dark tales and notorious events-arranged chronologically by dynasty-are brought to life with contemporary accounts, archive paintings, photographs, vivid illustrations, and detailed family trees showing the tangled lineage of each dynasty Despite its reputation as the longest established in Europe, the history of the English monarchy is punctuated by scandal, murders, betrayals, plots, and treason. Since William the Conqueror seized the crown in 1066, England has seen three civil wars; six monarchs have been murdered or executed; the throne of England has been usurped four times, and won in battle three times; and personal scandals and royal family quarrels abound. A Dark History: The Kings & Queens of England provides an exciting and dramatic account of English royal history from 1066 to the present day. This engrossing book explores the scandal and intrigue behind each royal dynasty, from the 'accidental' murder of William II in 1100, through the excesses of Richard III, Henry VIII and 'Bloody' Mary, to the conspiracies surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 200 colour and black-and-white photographs and artworks, this accessible and immensely enjoyable book highlights the true personalities and real lives of the individuals honoured with the crown of England—and those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.

Ron Haflidson places the theology of Augustine in conversation with contemporary authors, who warn of the dangers of abandoning solitude for constant (often technological) connection. Haflidson addresses an essential question that has previously been neglected: What difference does it make to the practice of solitude if one believes that even in the absence of any human company, God is always intimately present? For Augustine, solitude is a moral necessity: he recommends that we regularly retreat from the crowd into the depths of our conscience, where we can dwell alone in the company of God, and enter into dialogue before and with God about who we are and how we love. Throughout this book, Haflidson pairs close readings of Augustine with those of noted cartographers of our inner lives, literary greats including Jane Austen, George Eliot, Marilynne Robinson and George Saunders. This book explores what undiscovered possibilities may lie in solitude.

Conspirators and conquerors : a dirty business : the Normans Unholy alliances : The Plantagenets part I Crusading kings and troublesome barons : The Plantagenets part II Lovers, land and treason : The Plantagenets part IV Conspiracy and bloodshed : The Tudors Part I Decapitation and divorce : The Tudors Part II Turmoil, terror and fatal illness : The Tudors part III Gloriana and gore : The Tudors part IV Roundheads and regicide : The Stuarts part I A not-so-merry monarchy : The Stuarts part II Mistresses and madness : The Hanoverians part II Battle royal : The Hanoverians part II Scandal behind closed doors : The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha A loose cannon : The Windsors part I A modern monarchy? The Windsors part II Index. A highly-illustrated, entertaining account of English royal history from 1066 to the present that explores the scandals behind each royal dynasty, from the ‘accidental’ murder of William II to American divorcée Meghan Markle, highlighting the individuals honoured with the crown of England—and those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. A highly-illustrated, entertaining account of English royal history from 1066 to the present that explores the scandals behind each royal dynasty, from the 'accidental' murder of William II to American divorcee Meghan Markle, highlighting the individuals honoured with the crown of England-and those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. Kings & Queens of Europe peels away the glory and the glitz to take a wry look at what has really gone on in the corridors, bedrooms and dungeons of European power from the fourteenth century up to the present day.