An A-Z guide covering over 1000 years of the monarchy in the British Isles. The text covers their history and development, exploring their lives, palaces, ceremonies, customs and rites. It looks at royal scandals, both old and new, and at the mythology that surrounds royalty.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Anglophiles and royal watchers should enjoy this volume from the publisher of Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (HarperCollins, 1995), now in its fifteenth edition. The author, David Williamson, is also the coeditor of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (St. Martin's Press, 1995).
The approximately 1,500 articles are arranged alphabetically and include entries not only for kings and queens but also for historical events, ceremonies, titles, residences, royal traditions, legends, and myths. The reader can find information here on Zadoc the Priest, the coronation anthem; the Bayou Tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest; Xit, the court dwarf of Edward VI; and Looty, Queen Victoria's pet Pekingese. There are entries for the earliest rulers, beginning with the mythical Brutus, the Trojan, up to the royals of the present day. The longest entries are for monarchs: Henry VIII's entry occupies more than three pages, and Queen Victoria's is almost as long. Information on major figures can be found in many other sources, but Williamson also provides tidbits on numerous less well known people. One would search in vain in the recently published Columbia Companion to British History [RBB Mr 15 97] for information on Louis, Louisa, Queen Victoria's dresser; or Louisa, Princess, Queen of Denmark, the fifth daughter of George II; or Louisa Maria Theresa Stuart, Princess, the eighth daughter of James II.
There is an extensive system of cross-references, including see references from variants of a name to the form used for the main entry. The use of small capitals within entries indicates those terms and names with entries of their own. The cross-references are useful, for it may be difficult for American readers, unfamiliar with proper forms of address, to understand why, for example, Princess Diana can be found under Diana, but Fergie is entered under Ferguson. The entries are written in a lively style, full of anecdotes and colorful details. The dictionary concludes with numerous genealogical charts, as well as lists of coronations.
Though not an essential purchase, this eminently browsable item would be a good secondary choice for larger public library collections. Mary Ellen Quinn
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good, if not spectacular, basic reference,
By Andrew S. Rogers (Stamford, Connecticut) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Brewer's British Royalty (Hardcover)
Though not perfect, this is a useful basic reference to the history of Britain's Royal Family. Most of the emphasis is on the individuals who made up that history, and so whether you're researching Diana, Princess of Wales, or Gruffydd ap Rhys I, Prince of Deheubarth (1090-1137), you'll find at least enough info here to get you started.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brewer's British Royalty-A Phrase and Fable Dictionary,
By William A. Barnett, Genealogist (Napa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Brewer's British Royalty (Paperback)
This is an excellent, thoroughly readable, book on the British Royalty and related subjects. It is very blunt, at times, calling it like it is/was! In the back are 37 charts, pedigrees, etc., on the earliest kings of Kent, Wessex, East Anglia, Essex, Mercia, and so on, the most extensive collection of such information I have ever seen. It is a treasure for anyone doing genealogy on British royalty, and the charts alone are worth the price of the book. Most highly recommended!
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