Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards [Paperback]

David Hilliam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2000

Who invented the House of Windsor as a royal name? Who founded Westminster Abbey? Which king had 21 illegitimate children? David Hilliam answers these questions and others in this continuous history of the English monarchy, showing how the nine dynasties rose and fell. The book describes the most memorable features of the life and times of each king or. It also tells the story of the Saxons, describes what has happened to the monarchs' mortal remains, and relates many events of royal history, which rarely appear in textbooks. The figures include the saintly Edward the Confessor, who is believed to have refused to consummate his marriage; rumbustious Henry VIII, given to beheading those who displeased him and Anne Boleyn, widely suspected of being a witch. A complete list of the monarchs' reigns and a genealogical table showing the royal descent down 37 generations from Egbert to Elizabeth increases the volume's reference value.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Hilliam is the author of several books, including Crown, Orb and Sceptre; Monarchs, Murders & Mistresses; and Winchester Curiosities.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Sutton Publishing (January 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750923407
• ISBN-13: 978-0750923408
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, but has many mistakes of fact., September 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards: Who's Who in the English Monarchy from Egbert to Elizabeth II (Hardcover)

The book is entertaining but if your goal is the study of history, do not buy this book. It is, as another reviewer pointed out, full of mistakes. The first one I found (that stood out) was on page 10. The author states that Mary II (of William III and Mary II) was the sister of James II. She was, in fact, James II's daughter. William's mother, Mary, was the sister of James II and Charles II.

I also found that Hilliam's method of tracing the lines of descent of the various royal houses of Great Britain seemed designed to confuse, rather than enlighten, the reader. I think that it even confused the author himself(see page 10).

On the plus side, the sections on Bones and Bastards are entertaining to read, if you don't plan on using this book for research purposes.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kings,Queens,Bones and Bastards, March 25, 2000

By 

Elizabeth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards (Paperback)

For any anglophile, this book would be a worthwhile investment. It contains clear and accurate representations of all nine dynasties of the English Monarchy as well as sections referencing Kings, Queens and Consorts,and resting places of the monarchs. There is also a rather delightful section about the skeletons in each king's closet! I am very glad I purchased this book and would encourage others interested in British history to do so as well.

34 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chill out - people, April 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards (Paperback)

Honestly, people - calm down. Did any of the previous readers/reviewers honestly expect a book with the title "Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards" to be a flawless description of centuries of English history ? And that with scholarly accuracy and intellect ? Take it for what it is worth. Read the "Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy" if you want accuracy. This book is a highly entertaining, easy read. I highly recommend it for its amusing anecdotes and enjoyable style.