We all think we know everything there is to know about our Kings and Queens. Henry VIII had six wives, William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 and Queen Victoria was “not amused”. But how much do we really know about the monarchy? What did our kings and queens actually achieve? What impact have they had on our everyday lives? What were they like as living, breathing, people?

Crowning Glory wipes away the cobwebs of fuddy-duddy facts and breathes new life into this surprisingly addictive aspect of history. It challenges our basic understanding of the subject by introducing readers to a colourful cast of characters and revealing little-known insights.

This book reminds us that, behind the formality of the crown, are real human beings. Like you and me, they have known success, failure, sorrow and laughter. The lives of our kings and queens are so much more vivid than boring, old dates, figures and facts.