Taking as its background one of the most famous periods of British history, Sarah Gristwood's historical biography focuses on a hitherto forgotten figure: Arbella Stuart, the niece of Mary Queen of Scots and first cousin to James VI of Scotland. Orphaned as a baby, brought up by her powerful and ambitious grandmother, the four-times married Bess of Hardwick, introduced at court as a young girl where she was acknowledged as her heir by Elizabeth I, Arbella's right to the English throne was equalled only by James. Kept under close supervision by her grandmother, first at Chatsworth and later at Hardwick Hall, but still surrounded by plots, most of them Roman Catholic in origin, she became an important pawn in the struggle for succession, particularly during the long, tense period when Elizabeth I lay dying. But the best was yet to come. At 35 and upon James's succession, Arbella was invited back to court, and fell in love with her cousin, William Seymour, a man 12 years her junior. Notwithstanding the fact that their union was forbidden, and that relationships that did not carry with them the Royal seal of approval were considered treasonous, they married secretly - and were immediat

'The best account so far of the most notorious woman... Andrew Morton presents a convincing picture of Wallis Simpson's rip-roaring sexual and social adventures and her curious marriage to the Duke of Windsor... His new research adds to our knowledge of her whole career.' Sarah Bradford, historical biographer 'Remarkable. Supersedes and surpasses all previous Wallis biographies... Andrew Morton's crowning achievement.' - Christopher Wilson, author of Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue '[a] groundbreaking biography of Wallis Simpson... Morton has finally given her the biography she deserves.' - The Lady ____________________________________________ Sunday Times bestselling author Andrew Morton reveals new information and sources that totally transform our perception of Wallis Simpson. Wallis in Love brings a fascinating new perspective on the 20th century's most controversial royal scandal. Andrew Morton's impeccable research and unerring skill for riveting storytelling combine to present a strong case for a startling reveal: that the woman who rocked the world with her uncompromising passion for the Prince of Wales may have fooled everyone by keeping the true object of her passion hidden away... From her relatively lowly beginnings in America, to her rise through the social ranks and her determination to one day beat men at their own game and the ultimate conquest of the Prince of Wales, Morton paints a vivid and multi-faceted picture of a woman, who may have won the jewel in the British crown but very possibly at the expense of her true happiness. Wallis in Love reveals the men Wallis truly loved, the men who broke her heart - and the hearts she broke in turn. In this vivid and fresh portrait of the Duchess of Windsor, Morton draws on interviews, secret letters, diaries and never before seen or heard primary sources.

Memorable not for his life but his death, Edward V is probably better known as one of the Princes in the Tower, the supposed victim of his uncle, Richard III. This work presents to us the backdrop to this tragically short life - and reveals how he was both the hope of a dynasty and an integral cause of that dynasty's collapse.

As the last Stuart monarch, Queen Anne (1665-1714) received the education thought proper for a princess, reading plays and poetry in English and French while learning dancing, singing, acting, drawing, and instrumental music. As an adult, she played the guitar and the harpsichord, danced regularly, and took a connoisseur's interest in all the arts. In this comprehensive interdisciplinary biography, James Winn tells the story of Anne's life in new breadth and detail, and in unprecedented cultural context. Winn shows how poets, painters, and musicians used the works they made for Anne to send overt and covert political messages to the queen, the court, the church, and Parliament. Their works also illustrates the pathos of Anne's personal life: the loss of her mother when she was six, her troubled relations with her father and her sister, James II and Mary II, and her own doomed efforts to produce an heir. Her eighteen pregnancies produced only one child who lived past infancy; his death at the age of eleven, mourned by poets, was a blow from which Anne never fully recovered. Her close friendship with Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, a topic of scabrous ballads and fictions, ended in bitter discord; the death of her husband in 1708 left her emotionally isolated; and the wrangling among her chief ministers hastened her death. Richly illustrated with visual and musical examples, Queen Anne draws on works by a wide array of artists - among them composer George Frideric Handel, the poet Alexander Pope, the painter Godfrey Kneller, and the architect Christopher Wren - to shed new light on Anne's life and reign. This is the definitive biography of Queen Anne.

A lawyer by profession, Theodore Martin (1816-1909) gained literary distinction as both a humorous essayist and versatile translator. He found his greatest success, however, in the role of biographer to Prince Albert (1819-61). Commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise her late husband, this five-volume work was first published between 1875 and 1880. Intended as a continuation of the biography begun by Charles Grey (also reissued in this series), it has been described as 'less adulatory in tone than might be expected'. A treasury of letters and memoranda, it presents a detailed portrait of the character, words and deeds of a man whose life was necessarily immersed in the great events of his time. Volume 2 covers the period from 1848 to 1854, the births of Princes Arthur and Leopold, the collapse of the Chartist movement and the 'spectacular success' of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

A lawyer by profession, Theodore Martin (1816-1909) gained literary distinction as both a humorous essayist and versatile translator. He found his greatest success, however, in the role of biographer to Prince Albert (1819-61). Commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise her late husband, this five-volume work was first published between 1875 and 1880. Intended as a continuation of the biography begun by Charles Grey (also reissued in this series), it has been described as 'less adulatory in tone than might be expected'. A treasury of letters and memoranda, it presents a detailed portrait of the character, words and deeds of a man whose life was necessarily immersed in the great events of his time. Volume 3 covers the period from 1854 to 1856 and deals extensively with the significant role played by Albert during the Crimean War.

A lawyer by profession, Theodore Martin (1816-1909) gained literary distinction as both a humorous essayist and versatile translator. He found his greatest success, however, in the role of biographer to Prince Albert (1819-61). Commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise her late husband, this five-volume work was first published between 1875 and 1880. Intended as a continuation of the biography begun by Charles Grey (also reissued in this series), it has been described as 'less adulatory in tone than might be expected'. A treasury of letters and memoranda, it presents a detailed portrait of the character, words and deeds of a man whose life was necessarily immersed in the great events of his time. Volume 4 deals with the difficult period of 1856-9, which saw mutiny in India, worldwide commercial uncertainty, and the beginning of a decline in Albert's health.

A lawyer by profession, Theodore Martin (1816-1909) gained literary distinction as both a humorous essayist and versatile translator. He found his greatest success, however, in the role of biographer to Prince Albert (1819-61). Commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise her late husband, this five-volume work was first published between 1875 and 1880. Intended as a continuation of the biography begun by Charles Grey (also reissued in this series), it has been described as 'less adulatory in tone than might be expected'. A treasury of letters and memoranda, it presents a detailed portrait of the character, words and deeds of a man whose life was necessarily immersed in the great events of his time. Volume 5 covers Albert's final years, from 1859 to his protracted illness and death in 1861 at the age of forty-two.

A lawyer by profession, Theodore Martin (1816-1909) gained literary distinction as both a humorous essayist and versatile translator. He found his greatest success, however, in the role of biographer to Prince Albert (1819-61). Commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise her late husband, this five-volume work was first published between 1875 and 1880. Intended as a continuation of the biography begun by Charles Grey (also reissued in this series), it has been described as 'less adulatory in tone than might be expected'. A treasury of letters and memoranda, it presents a detailed portrait of the character, words and deeds of a man whose life was necessarily immersed in the great events of his time. Volume 1 covers Albert's youth, his marriage to Victoria and the early years as her husband, up until the birth of their sixth child, Princess Louise, in 1848.

From the Modern Library's new set of beautifully repackaged hardcover classics by Robert K. Massie--also available are "Peter the Great "and "The Romanovs"
In this commanding book, Robert K. Massie, prize-winning author of "Catherine the Great, " sweeps readers back to the extraordinary world of Imperial Russia to tell the story of the Romanovs' lives: Nicholas's political naivete, Alexandra's obsession with the corrupt mystic Rasputin, and little Alexis's brave struggle with hemophilia. Against a lavish backdrop of luxury and intrigue, Massie unfolds a powerful drama of passion and history--the story of a doomed empire and the death-marked royals who watched it crumble.
The Modern Library of the World's Best Books
Nicholas and Alexandra
"A magnificent and intimate picture . . . Not only the main characters but a whole era become alive and comprehensible."--"Harper's"
Peter the Great
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
"Enthralling . . . as fascinating as any novel and more so than most."--"The New York Times Book Review"
" "
The Romanovs
"Riveting . . . unfolds like a detective story.""--Los Angeles Times Book Review"

-- Full of fascinating facts about the Royal Family
-- A visually stimulating celebration of English heritage
-- Useful to the social historian

Timed to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, this book brings together all the pomp and circumstance of 100 years of royal events, including the coronations, weddings and jubilees of over five reigns.

Here are all the souvenirs, from badges and bunting to pencils and money boxes, which have captured the flavor of each memorable moment: souvenirs that have been treasured and handed down from one generation to the next. Included are not only the more enduring items -- the commemorative flags, mugs, jigsaws and chocolate tins, but also the ephemera, whether milk bottle tops, candy wrappers or paper hats.

Now for the first time, this Royal Scrapbook brings together over 1,000 images magnificently illustrating royal festival occasions, for us to relive with wonder or nostalgia. Once again, material from the Robert Opie collection illuminates the past in a remarkable way.

In this new book royal historian Lady Colin Campbell covers The Queen's Marriage in intimate detail. Using her connections and impeccable sources she recounts details of the inside story of the monarch's relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh and her close family.

R is for Revenge Dress explores the celebrated life of Princess Diana through the alphabet. "A-mazing to 'C' the younger generation B-eing so interested in the legacy of HRH." -Andrew Morton, Author of Diana: Her True Story Though "R" is for Revenge Dress, this book is rather sweet-about a cheeky princess whose laughter you could hear from the street. Not a nursery rhyme for babies, but more suitable for a teen...this is a tale about a woman who refused to go unseen. Princess Diana is no longer here, but her legacy still shines. Hopefully this tribute is one of your new favorite finds!

Agnes Strickland (1796 1874) and her sister Elizabeth collaborated on many biographical projects. They were pioneering historical biographers and key figures in the development of women's history. Writing from a female perspective, they included coverage of domestic matters that male historians had previously ignored. Although much of the work is Elizabeth's, she preferred to avoid publicity and her sister Agnes appeared as the sole author. This eight-volume series (originally published between 1850 and 1859) was the sequel to their hugely popular Lives of the Queens of England and allowed Agnes to indulge her passionate interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, to whom five volumes are devoted. The final volume covers Elizabeth Stuart, Princess Royal, later Queen of Bohemia, and her daughter Sophia, Electress of Bohemia, and their role in the British succession. Thoroughly researched and referenced, it describes both the personal and political aspects of their lives.

This three-volume work by Julia Pardoe, the author of other books on French royalty, was originally published in 1852. In astonishing detail the books describe the colourful and controversial life of Marie de Medicis, who in 1600 married Henry IV of France after his marriage to Marguerite de Valois had been annulled to make way for this dynastic alliance. The consort's life both before and after her marriage was one of flamboyant living, political intrigue and gossip. The work is a complex biography, full of information on every detail of a remarkable life at the centre of European politics. Each volume is illustrated and annotated with references to original documents. Volume 2 covers the period in which the assassination of the king in 1610 led to Marie's regency on behalf of her son, Louis XIII. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=pardj

Agnes Strickland (1796 1874) and her sister Elizabeth collaborated on many biographical projects. They were pioneering historical biographers and key figures in the development of women's history. Writing from a female perspective, they included coverage of domestic matters that male historians had previously ignored. Although much of the work is Elizabeth's, she preferred to avoid publicity and her sister Agnes appeared as the sole author. This eight-volume series (originally published between 1850 and 1859) was the sequel to their hugely popular Lives of the Queens of England and allowed Agnes to indulge her passionate interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, to whom Volumes 3 7 are devoted. Volume 6 (1856) covers Mary's imprisonment, first in Scotland by the Scottish Lords and then in England by Queen Elizabeth following her petition for sanctuary. Thoroughly researched and referenced, it describes both the personal and political aspects of Mary's experiences.

Agnes Strickland (1796 1874) and her sister Elizabeth collaborated on many biographical projects. They were pioneering historical biographers and key figures in the development of women's history. Writing from a female perspective, they included coverage of domestic matters that male historians had previously ignored. Although much of the work is Elizabeth's, she preferred to avoid publicity and her sister Agnes appeared as the sole author. This eight-volume series (originally published between 1850 and 1859) was the sequel to their hugely popular Lives of the Queens of England and allowed Agnes to indulge her passionate interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, to whom Volumes 3 7 are devoted. Volume 7 (1858) documents the last few years of Mary's life, during which she was imprisoned in England and finally executed in 1587. Thoroughly researched and referenced, it describes both the personal and political aspects of Mary's experiences.

"NEW YORK TIMES "BESTSELLER
Acclaimed historian G. J. Meyer provides a fresh look at the fabled Tudor dynasty--and some of the most enigmatic figures ever to rule a country. In 1485, Henry Tudor, whose claim to the English throne was so weak as to be almost laughable, nevertheless sailed from France with a ragtag army to take the crown from the family that had ruled England for almost four centuries. Fifty years later, his son, Henry VIII, aimed to seize even greater powers--ultimately leaving behind a brutal legacy that would blight the lives of his children and the destiny of his country. Edward VI, a fervent believer in reforming the English church, died before realizing his dream. Mary I, the disgraced daughter of Catherine of Aragon, tried and failed to reestablish the Catholic Church and produce an heir, while Elizabeth I sacrificed all chance of personal happiness in order to survive.
"The Tudors" presents the sinners and saints, the tragedies and triumphs, the high dreams and dark crimes, of this enthralling era.

This three-volume work by Julia Pardoe, the author of other books on French royalty, was originally published in 1852. In astonishing detail the books describe the colourful and controversial life of Marie de Medicis, who in 1600 married Henry IV of France after his marriage to Marguerite de Valois had been annulled to make way for this dynastic alliance. The consort's life both before and after her marriage was one of flamboyant living and political intrigue. The work is a complex biography, full of information on every detail of a remarkable life at the centre of European politics. Each volume is illustrated and annotated with references to original documents. This last volume describes events including Louis' assertion of royal authority, the rise to power and influence of Cardinal Richelieu, and finally Marie's death in 1642. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=pardj

An unconventional figure in an age that excluded women from government, Victoria was accorded prominence unavailable to any male monarch. Yet as Adrienne Munich argues in this fascinating work, the originality of the solid, dour icon that was Victoria lay, paradoxically, in her very ordinariness. The first book to fully investigate the influence of this icon of British history, Queen Victoria's Secrets demonstrates the firm grasp the queen held on the cultural imagination of her country, exploring how Victoria created and maintained her royal authority. Gracefully weaving together feminist, anthropological, and postcolonial approaches, Munich searches out the myriad, often contradictory incarnations of the queen in the minds of her people. How did Victoria convincingly maintain her power for forty years after Prince Albert's death, never giving up her identity as a grieving widow? How did Victorian society's reverential treatment of their queen conflate with the monarch's plain, middle class public image? These are some of the secrets Munich examines in her richly detailed work. In demonstrating the subtle but powerful ways in which Victoria performed significant cultural work, Queen Victoria's Secrets goes against the grain of Victoria scholarship, which has tended to overlook the queen's political and cultural centrality. This stylish, accessible portrait will be of great interest to those who are fascinated by the myth-making and secrets of the Victorian age.

In the Beginning, James.

Orphaned, bullied, lonely, and unloved as a boy, in time the young King of Scots overcame his troubled beginnings to ascend the English throne at the height of England's Golden Age. In an effort to pacify rising tensions in the Anglican Church, and to reflect the majesty of his new reign, he spearheaded the most important literary undertaking in Western history--the translation of the Bible into a beautiful, lyrical, and accessible English.

David Teems's narrative crackles with wit, using a thoroughly modern tongue to reanimate the life of this seventeenth century king--a man at the intersection of political, literary, and religious thought, yet a man of contrasts, dubbed by one French king as "the wisest fool in Christendom."

Warm, insightful, even at times amusing, Teems's depiction of King James has all the elements of a grand tale--conspiracy, kidnapping, witchcraft, murder, love, despair, loss. "Majestie" offers an engaging new look at the world's most cherished, revered, and influential translation of Sacred Writ and the king behind it.

"Engrossing and entertaining...a delightful read in every way." - "Publishers Weekly"