The Kings and Queens of Britain

**Who was the first king of England? Did Henry I assassinate his brother? How did 'Bloody Mary' reinstate Roman Catholicism?** For more than 1,000 years the British monarchy has dramatically shaped national and international history. Kings and queens have conquered territory, imposed religious change and extracted taxation, each with their own motivations and ambitions. In this fascinating book, Cath Senker delves into the extraordinary history of the British monarchy and its host of kings, queens and pretenders. There have been benevolent rulers, violent ones, religious fanatics, brilliant economists, masters of diplomacy and the power hungry. But whether they have abused their power or used it for good, each monarch has played a part in the rich tapestry of British history, coping with both international and civil wars, rebellions and criticism. __The Kings & Queens of Britain__ introduces a thousand-year history, providing rich biographical detail of Britain's remarkable monarchs. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, in association with the British Academy is the first point of reference for anyone interested in the lives of the peoples of the British Isles and their connections overseas, from the earliest times to the end of the year 2000. It is the product of research instituted at the University of Oxford and funded by the British Academy and by Oxford University Press. It is the achievement of 10,000 contributors and advisers staff in Oxford. The Oxford DNB aims to provide full, accurate, concise, and readable articles on noteworthy people in all walks of life. No living person is included: the Dictionary's articles are confined to people who died before 31 December 2000 Over A Twelve-year Period A Distinguished Supervisory Committee From The University Of Oxford, With A Grant From The British Academy, Has Coordinated The Work Of 10,000 Specialists Worldwide To Recreate One Of The Great English Reference Works. The Result Is The Oxford Dictionary Of National Biography--a Collection Of 50,000 Specially Written Biographies Of Men And Women Who Have Shaped All Aspects Of The British Past, From The Earliest Times To The End Of The Year 2000.