| Description |
431 pages, 22 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps, genealogical tables ; 24 cm |
| Note |
"A tale of power, glory and gore from Arthur to Elizabeth I"--Dust jacket. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (page 405) and index. |
| Contents |
Pre-Willy -- Dukes of Hazard -- Here comes the reign again -- Everything's coming up roses. |
| Summary |
"Think you know the kings and queens of England? Think again. In Unruly, David Mitchell explores how early England's monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects' destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky bastards who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear today in their portraits. Taking us back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), Mitchell tells the founding story of post-Roman England up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and a few Cnuts, as the English evolved from having their crops stolen by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed king. How this happened, who it happened to, and why the hell it matters are all questions that Mitchell answers with brilliance, wit, and the full erudition of a man who once studied history— and won't let it off the hook for the mess it's made. A funny book that takes history seriously, Unruly is for anyone who has ever wondered how the British monarchy came to be— and who is to blame." -- Description provided by publisher. |
| Subject |
Royal houses -- England.
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Royal houses -- Great Britain.
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Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Biography.
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Monarchy -- History.
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Courts and courtiers.
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Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066.
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Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485.
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| Genre |
Biographies.
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| Added Title |
Ridiculous history of England's kings and queens |
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England's kings and queens |
| ISBN |
9780593728482 (hardcover) |
|
0593728483 (hardcover) |
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