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Monarchy: Vol 1: The Early Kings
Monarchy is more than the biographies of the kings and queens of England. It is an in-depth examination of what the English monarchy has meant, in terms of the expression of the individual, the Mother of Parliaments, Magna Charta, the laws of England and the land of England. This is the history of ideas and ideals, as well as colourful characters, brought to life by David Starkey's unique gifts as a communicator. David Starkey's scholarship combines with his engaging and popular style to produce another winner. The importance of the rich heritage of the Anglo-Saxon kings is underlined, and among the kings most heavily featured Alfred the Great, Canute, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, Henry ll, Richard Lionheart, Henry lll,. The last king in this volume is Henry Vl.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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About the author
David Starkey
133 books462 followersDavid Robert Starkey, CBE, FSA is a British historian, a television and radio presenter, and a specialist in the Tudor period.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 11, 2020
Here David Starkey absolutely excels himself-with this brilliant book showing us how riveting English history can be. Starkey brings us through to a deeper understanding of England from the Anglo-Saxon invasion/settlement in the sixth and seventh centuries after the demise in the fifth century of Roman rule until the exciting period of the Wars of the Roses culminating in the defeat Richard III by Henry VII.
He reminds us that the Anglo-Saxon invasion was an even more pivotal turning point in British history than the Norman Invasion several centuries later, as the Saxons imprinted an entire new culture and language in the land they would name England, though since there. Since he illustrates that the Saxons were far fewer in number than the indigenous Celts they conquered, it is obvious to surmise that the Saxons did not substantially displace the Celts but rather formed a ruling elite over them as the Normans would later.
The first king whose reign Starkey deals with is King Offa of Mercia but focuses more on the reign of King Alfred who unified England and defeated the Danish invaders. He reminds us that in nearly every reign from Harold until Elizabeth I there was some sort of civil war or rebellion going on.
He illustrates well King William I's cruel and bloody butchering of the peasants of Northern England from 1068 to 1070 known as the Harrying of the North. the civil war between Empress Matilda and King Stephen are known as the time 'when Christ and his Saints slept' is illustrated quite succinctly and colourfully, as is the reign of bad King John forced to sign the first document of human rights in medieval times known as the Magna Carta and how going back on everything he agreed in this charter led to a rebellion which ended his rule. Similarly with Henry III and the Simon de Monfort rebellion but Henry crushed that one and de Monfort killed. Succeeded by one of England's strongest and most ruthless kings Edward I who hammered Wales into the English crown and persecuted and blodily supressed the Scots, certainly not a respecter of national self-determination.
He takes up through the wars and political machinations up to The War of the Roses of which he then provides a really engaging, educational account of a really exciting set of events in English history.
At a time when English history is being downscale in schools and universities in order not to offend certain groups, the English children and young people are being robbed of a central part of their heritage and identity. It is thanks to great historians like Mr Starkey that we can keep England's great history alive.
He reminds us that the Anglo-Saxon invasion was an even more pivotal turning point in British history than the Norman Invasion several centuries later, as the Saxons imprinted an entire new culture and language in the land they would name England, though since there. Since he illustrates that the Saxons were far fewer in number than the indigenous Celts they conquered, it is obvious to surmise that the Saxons did not substantially displace the Celts but rather formed a ruling elite over them as the Normans would later.
The first king whose reign Starkey deals with is King Offa of Mercia but focuses more on the reign of King Alfred who unified England and defeated the Danish invaders. He reminds us that in nearly every reign from Harold until Elizabeth I there was some sort of civil war or rebellion going on.
He illustrates well King William I's cruel and bloody butchering of the peasants of Northern England from 1068 to 1070 known as the Harrying of the North. the civil war between Empress Matilda and King Stephen are known as the time 'when Christ and his Saints slept' is illustrated quite succinctly and colourfully, as is the reign of bad King John forced to sign the first document of human rights in medieval times known as the Magna Carta and how going back on everything he agreed in this charter led to a rebellion which ended his rule. Similarly with Henry III and the Simon de Monfort rebellion but Henry crushed that one and de Monfort killed. Succeeded by one of England's strongest and most ruthless kings Edward I who hammered Wales into the English crown and persecuted and blodily supressed the Scots, certainly not a respecter of national self-determination.
He takes up through the wars and political machinations up to The War of the Roses of which he then provides a really engaging, educational account of a really exciting set of events in English history.
At a time when English history is being downscale in schools and universities in order not to offend certain groups, the English children and young people are being robbed of a central part of their heritage and identity. It is thanks to great historians like Mr Starkey that we can keep England's great history alive.
May 21, 2019
A good volume for boys cramming for end of term tests at minor public school in the 30s.
August 28, 2015
The first of Starkey's works that I have read, this book details England from it's early beginnings in the Roman period to the start of the reign of Henry I.
I have to say that this book was incredibly well written and flowed from one chapter to the next. However, as other reviewers have pointed out there is a lack of genealogical tables, or rather it would be nice to see them located at the back of the book, preferably also with a chronology.
The book provides a relatively brief amount of detail paired with information boxes on figures and many beautiful photographs, which really add to the detail provided and enhance the experience.
It was nice to read a book which delved into the period formerly known as 'the dark ages' in relative chronological order and in that respect tied together a lot of information that I had taken in from other books, quite well.
Really worth reading as a relatively easy to read yet well sourced account of the beginnings of England, with the last couple of chapters being the best of all.
I have to say that this book was incredibly well written and flowed from one chapter to the next. However, as other reviewers have pointed out there is a lack of genealogical tables, or rather it would be nice to see them located at the back of the book, preferably also with a chronology.
The book provides a relatively brief amount of detail paired with information boxes on figures and many beautiful photographs, which really add to the detail provided and enhance the experience.
It was nice to read a book which delved into the period formerly known as 'the dark ages' in relative chronological order and in that respect tied together a lot of information that I had taken in from other books, quite well.
Really worth reading as a relatively easy to read yet well sourced account of the beginnings of England, with the last couple of chapters being the best of all.
February 22, 2016
In this book Starkey delves into the lives of the Saxon kings and their contributions to the time that they reigned, this includes Parliament, magna Carta, laws and hereditary rights. You get a real taste of life in these very brutal and harsh times.
This book is set chronologically making it easy-to-use and to look up anything you want to know. This book flows well so is easy to follow and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book is set chronologically making it easy-to-use and to look up anything you want to know. This book flows well so is easy to follow and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 21, 2008
I met Starkey in Oxford and have a signed copy of the book.
April 7, 2022
Even as a modern history graduate from L.S.E., where this celebrated author was my tutor for a year in 1974-75, I know how ill-informed I am as to the early years of Anglo-Saxon monarchy & government.
This concise & entertaining first instalment gives me further proof that I need to read, and ponder!, more on the blood that flows through my veins: so many times, a name or place that chimes with my own history sounds out in my redaing.
The London School of Economics (and Political Science!) stands on the very ground (Aldwych!) where King Alfred first re-established London as England's premier settlement, outside the old Roman walls & on the higher ground above the Thames.
The first Danish incursion in East Anglia was close to the Suffolk origin of my maternal grandmother's surname, Malden...& Southwark, where she was born in 1888, was an Anglo-Saxon 'burgh'...hence the name 'The Borough' for the area just south of London Bridge where Shakespeare thrived under the guise of an actor-cum-playwright...where wily Edward Alleyn made a fortune...& charitably set-up a school (in 1619) for 12 'poor scholars' in the area before it moved to Dulwich...where I as a 'poor scholar' myself with Southwark roots, gained my limited education, which lead me to enjoy the company & intelligence of David Starkey (et al.)...who described me, whimsically, as 'a proper little Renaissance Man '!...& other references too to my rise from ignorance to....well...I haven't reached my zenith yet!
Read on I say! The more you read...the more you realise how ignorant you are!
This concise & entertaining first instalment gives me further proof that I need to read, and ponder!, more on the blood that flows through my veins: so many times, a name or place that chimes with my own history sounds out in my redaing.
The London School of Economics (and Political Science!) stands on the very ground (Aldwych!) where King Alfred first re-established London as England's premier settlement, outside the old Roman walls & on the higher ground above the Thames.
The first Danish incursion in East Anglia was close to the Suffolk origin of my maternal grandmother's surname, Malden...& Southwark, where she was born in 1888, was an Anglo-Saxon 'burgh'...hence the name 'The Borough' for the area just south of London Bridge where Shakespeare thrived under the guise of an actor-cum-playwright...where wily Edward Alleyn made a fortune...& charitably set-up a school (in 1619) for 12 'poor scholars' in the area before it moved to Dulwich...where I as a 'poor scholar' myself with Southwark roots, gained my limited education, which lead me to enjoy the company & intelligence of David Starkey (et al.)...who described me, whimsically, as 'a proper little Renaissance Man '!...& other references too to my rise from ignorance to....well...I haven't reached my zenith yet!
Read on I say! The more you read...the more you realise how ignorant you are!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2020
I didn’t know Starkey wrote about much about from the Tudors (at which he is the best), but this history of early England and its Kings is great. He handles really complex lists of names and dates with ease, and brings to life the bloody world of Saxons, Vikings, Danes and Normans basically all trying to kill each other and play havoc with the ordinary people. No wonder life expectancy was so low! Would recommend to anyone interested in the history of England
August 25, 2025
Excellent. A great explanation of a fascinating period of history.
January 24, 2011
This hits the high spots of Britains kings. Volume I only, stops at 1066.
February 16, 2013
Rather hard going but mainly because names all similar I.e. Edgar's and Aethling's. A full genealogy/family tree would have helped,
August 31, 2014
Love this author!
June 18, 2023
A wonderful audiobook, terrifically read by Tim Piggott Smith. I knew little of the pre Norman Kings before listening to this book, but I was spellbound by both the writing and narration.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews