Review by Choice Review
Borman, joint chief curator of historic royal palaces and the author of several books about Tudor England, here provides a history of the British monarchy, which she refers to as the "living embodiment of the nation's history." The latter claim is asserted rather than examined, but the author does provide a short biography of every monarch of England from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II, following an introduction on Anglo-Saxon kingship. In a book covering 1,000 years, errors are likely to accrue--there is some difficulty keeping track of the sons of Edward III. As one would expect, the best chapters deal with the Tudors; the treatment of the Windsors is problematic. Borman continues the inexplicable rehabilitation of George V, a philistine who bullied his sons and maintained a sterile, loveless household. George VI and his daughter receive much praise for their rectitude--and dullness. For all the talk of "embodiment," the modern monarchy represents not Britain but only a landed, hierarchical, Tory version of it. Readers seeking a compelling book on the same theme should read David Starkey's Crown and Country: A History of England through the Monarchy (2010). Summing Up: Optional. General readers. --Douglas R. Bisson, Belmont University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Borman, best-selling historical biographer and novelist, traces the evolution of the British monarchy through the lives of the forty-one men and women who have reigned since 1066. Some are "shining examples of royal power," others "weak, lazy or cruel." She convincingly argues that the British crown survived when others did not because it adapted to changing times. Over the centuries, it transformed from personal rule "wield[ing] authority over every aspect [of] subjects' lives" into a modern constitutional monarchy serving as a living symbol of the nation. Borman, Joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, brings the royals to life in all their triumphs and tragedies using their stories to unpack complex issues of governance, succession, and geopolitics. "The real power of the crown," she asserts, "comes from [its] almost magical aura," a power that monarchs conjure through sumptuous regalia, ceremony, grand buildings, and, in modern times, philanthropy. Crown and Sceptre will delight history buffs. Crisp, clear writing, insightful character sketches, and unifying themes keep the narrative moving along. Compact chapters organized by dynasty and reign, notes, and an extensive bibliography make it suitable for reference.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Historian and novelist Borman (Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him) delivers an elegant and evenhanded chronicle of the British monarchy. Spanning from the Norman Conquest in the 11th century to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decampment to America in 2020, Borman's capsule histories highlight achievements (e.g., Elizabeth I's defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588), as well as scandals (e.g., Prince Andrew's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein), and lucidly explain court dynamics and political, religious, and military matters. Documenting the fates of Henry VIII's six wives, Borman eschews sensationalism to track Henry's "transition from carefree kingship to active monarchy" and the effects of his marriages on England as a whole. A brief chapter on "England's shortest-reigning monarch," Lady Jane Grey, who was queen for nine days after the death of Edward VI in July 1553, analyzes the Tudor era's anxieties over female sovereigns, which helped shape the subsequent reigns of Mary I and her half-sister, Elizabeth I. Delving into the mystery of who killed the two sons of Edward IV in 1483, Borman suggests that Richard III may have been framed for the murders by Henry Tudor. Enlightening and accessible, this is a superb introduction to one of the world's most enduring monarchies. (Feb.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Having previously written biographies of Tudor monarchs and their contemporaries, historian Borman (The Private Lives of the Tudors) expands her view in this general history of England's monarchs, from the days before William the Conqueror's rule, to the current reign of Elizabeth II. Borman's ruler-by-ruler approach limits her to providing only a brisk summary of each, with several major high and low points of their rule; while the text provides a satisfactory amount of basic information, readers who find themselves interested in the fuller history of particular figures or events might be frustrated. More effective is Borman's overall look at the development of English rulership in general, as the book's organization allows readers to follow the changing roles of both the monarch and Parliament as well as the increasing importance of public perception of character and traditional pageantry in maintaining the monarchy as an institution. The extensive notes and biography offer starting points for further reading. VERDICT Those already familiar with English history won't find new material here but this would be a good introduction for others, and Borman's bibliography leads to more focused biographies and histories.--Kathleen McCallister
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An impressive synthesis of more than 1,000 years of the British monarchy, combining personal stories, geopolitical context, and historical background to reveal the essence of royal power through the ages. Prolific British historian Borman outdoes herself in this expansive survey. Writing with a fluidity and grace matched by her authority on the subject, the author makes the stories of each monarch, from the incompetent to the sadistic to the praiseworthy, interesting and memorable. Despite more than 500 pages and countless kings and queens, she keeps the pages turning, providing adequate context and vivid and personal portraits of her subjects. The author highlights the particular dilemmas of women rulers--not just the indomitable Elizabeth I, but also Queen Anne (1665-1714), who suffered multiple miscarriages, found refuge in lesbian affairs, and "exploited one power that Parliament could never touch: the almost supernatural aura that had long surrounded the crown." Readers will learn that shocking royal behavior is nothing new. Today's House of Windsor is a staid group compared to its predecessors: Henry I (1100-1135), for example, "was addicted to women and had as many as twenty-four bastards by his numerous mistresses--more than any other English king." Borman shows that the monarchy often hung by the slenderest of threads and was preserved at a terrible cost: murders, executions, assassinations, carnage on the battlefield. She traces the ancient sources of royal rituals still in use today and exposes the darker roots of power--numerous kings and queens grew wealthy from the international slave trade until it was abolished in the 19th century. Today's monarchy has survived wars, religious turmoil, plagues, disease, fires, and invasions. Will it endure? It's an open question, but Borman observes that the British monarchy has prevailed because it understands that its power is largely symbolic, shaping and supporting British culture and an enormous tourism industry. After reading this splendid book, readers may bet on its survival, at least in this century. A superb synthesis of historical analysis, politics, and top-notch royal gossip. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
