The Stuarts

A Royal History of England #4

by Maurice Percy Ashley

The Stuarts begins with James VI of Scotland, who inherited the crown through his mother, Margaret Tudor, and ends in 1714, with the reign of Queen Anne, whose thirteen children all tragically predeceased her, thus ending the Stuart line.

About the series A Royal History of England :

From the beginning of monarchical power in Norman times to the present queen, the British royal family has experienced many scandals, triumphs, and changes in public image, but few of their reigns can be described as uneventful. With contributions by specialist authors and contemporary illustrations of royal heraldry and coats of arms, Antonia Fraser has edited a definitive and entertaining history of one of the most powerful monarchies in the world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Scotland, European History, Historical, 17th Century, Royalty

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2000

About the author

Maurice Percy Ashley, CBE, was a noted historian of the 17th Century and a former editor of The Listener.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles I
James I
James II
Charles II
William and Mary
Anne

[Briynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself was just as good as it's Plantagenet/Tudor counterparts. However, it gets four stars in this review just because I can't stand the Stuarts, the Act of Union, or the fact that they are responsible for William of Orange. I think it might have been the living in Ireland thing that did it to me.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this anyone who wants a simple overview of the Stuart monarchy in England. It's worth buying for the reproductions of the portraits alone: Lely, Van Dyck.
Those wanting more detail will need to read elsewhere but this is a neat, uncluttered overview.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book in some detail covers the reigns of the kings and queens of England from 1603 through 1714, known as the House of Stuarts, which included James I, Charles I, Charles II, James II, William III (of Orange [Holland]) and his wife Queen Mary II (daughter of James II), and Queen Anne.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really just a quick overview of the personalities and large events of their respective reigns, the best part of this book were the beautiful illustrations.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying his books - Elizabethan and Stuart history is one of my favourite periods (one of many!)