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Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting
How royal parents dealt with raising their children over the past thousand years, from keeping Vikings at bay to fending off paparazzi.
William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are setting trends for millions of parents around the world. The upbringing of their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, is the focus of intense popular scrutiny. Royalty have always raised their children in the public eye and attracted praise or criticism according to parenting standards of their day.
Royal parents have faced unique challenges and held unique privileges. In medieval times, raising an heir often meant raising a rival, and monarchs sometimes faced their grown children on the battlefield. Conversely, kings and queens who lost their thrones in wars or popular revolutions often found solace in time spent with their children. In modern times, royal duties and overseas tours have often separated young princes and princesses from their parents, a circumstance that is slowly changing with the current generation of royalty.
William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are setting trends for millions of parents around the world. The upbringing of their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, is the focus of intense popular scrutiny. Royalty have always raised their children in the public eye and attracted praise or criticism according to parenting standards of their day.
Royal parents have faced unique challenges and held unique privileges. In medieval times, raising an heir often meant raising a rival, and monarchs sometimes faced their grown children on the battlefield. Conversely, kings and queens who lost their thrones in wars or popular revolutions often found solace in time spent with their children. In modern times, royal duties and overseas tours have often separated young princes and princesses from their parents, a circumstance that is slowly changing with the current generation of royalty.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Carolyn Harris
7 books69 followersDr. Carolyn S. Harris teaches history at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. She received her PhD in European history from Queen's University in 2012. Her writing concerning the history of monarchy in the U.K., Europe, and Canada has appeared in numerous publications including the Globe and Mail, Ottawa Citizen, Smithsonian Magazine and the BBC News Magazine, and she is a frequent guest on television and radio. She lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 11, 2017
I received this in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. Thank you to the author, Carolyn Harris, and the publisher, Dundurn, for this opportunity.
This non-fiction details the various approaches to royal child-rearing, spanning the last 1,000 years. Although mostly focused on the British monarchy, there was a great variation of royals covered, and the differences and similarities between them all was fascinating to read about.
I initially sought to read this as a form of research for my own fictional writing. However, I found it interesting in its own right. I found myself devouring the knowledge this imparted in one sitting, as the tone was light and the voice relaxed.
This non-fiction details the various approaches to royal child-rearing, spanning the last 1,000 years. Although mostly focused on the British monarchy, there was a great variation of royals covered, and the differences and similarities between them all was fascinating to read about.
I initially sought to read this as a form of research for my own fictional writing. However, I found it interesting in its own right. I found myself devouring the knowledge this imparted in one sitting, as the tone was light and the voice relaxed.
March 8, 2017
A special thank you to Carolyn Harris, Dundern Press, and netgalley for the copy of this book n return for an unbiased review.
The majority focus is on the English monarchy, but it does branch out to Russia, France, the Netherlands, and the Palatine, so we get a varied sampling over a 1,000 year period.
If I must be honest this book was slightly less than mediocre. It wasn't bad, it just was-like white bread or vanilla ice cream. It's certainly palatable, but why not have chocolate?
Perhaps it's simply the topic? It's basically understood that royal parents do not rear their children, and the children are unhappy. Only the last chapter covering William and Kate is at all refreshing. Otherwise the majority of the book has been covered many times by many other authors. What I can recommend is for those in early childhood classes or medieval studies, this may be a book for you.
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book #22
The majority focus is on the English monarchy, but it does branch out to Russia, France, the Netherlands, and the Palatine, so we get a varied sampling over a 1,000 year period.
If I must be honest this book was slightly less than mediocre. It wasn't bad, it just was-like white bread or vanilla ice cream. It's certainly palatable, but why not have chocolate?
Perhaps it's simply the topic? It's basically understood that royal parents do not rear their children, and the children are unhappy. Only the last chapter covering William and Kate is at all refreshing. Otherwise the majority of the book has been covered many times by many other authors. What I can recommend is for those in early childhood classes or medieval studies, this may be a book for you.
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book #22
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2017
As a 21st century parent, this is a completely fascinating account of how children were raised throughout history. Not only does the book cover how the royals were parented, but it also addresses some of the parenting and social ideals of the times.
The book is broken up into chronological chapters based on a selection of leaders and the times that they reigned. Let's just say, we've come a very long way since the medieval times!
The author is obviously an expert on this subject and it shows. There are excellent facts and quotes to support the accounts throughout history.
My only complaints were that it was, at times, difficult to follow as it jumped around a bit chronologically. Also, although written very well, I wish it was a little bit less textbook-ish and more conversational in tone. Though I know that would be a difficult feat given all the facts presented here!
Highly recommend!
The book is broken up into chronological chapters based on a selection of leaders and the times that they reigned. Let's just say, we've come a very long way since the medieval times!
The author is obviously an expert on this subject and it shows. There are excellent facts and quotes to support the accounts throughout history.
My only complaints were that it was, at times, difficult to follow as it jumped around a bit chronologically. Also, although written very well, I wish it was a little bit less textbook-ish and more conversational in tone. Though I know that would be a difficult feat given all the facts presented here!
Highly recommend!
April 28, 2017
This is a wonderful book that follows 20 European royal couples and their parenting styles as seen by the public. It discusses each European ruler and the relationships they had with their spouses and their children Often, it was found that the mother was very protective of her children and does all she can to promote them in the eyes of their father. In addition, many female children were placed in convents and the males were placed in the homes of barons and church leaders for them to complete their education.
Early generations of royal children saw very little of their parents for different reasons. Many parents did not want to be burdened with the day-to-day needs of their children. They also had royal duties that required their attention.
I found it fascinating how each of the royal couples had differing views of raising their children which sometimes made for sorrow for some mothers who weren’t allowed to be with their children. These families had large numbers of children up to 14 and more. Sadly, many of them never survived infancy.
I liked how the book included each ruler and the political beliefs of each of them. There were also big differences between families due to religious beliefs. The Catholic and Protestant faiths caused lots of friction. The impact of this on the children was huge resulting in anger and even death.
If I was a writer, I would want to have this book close by as a reference novel as it is chock full of lots of great facts about the 1000 years it covers. Just to read the book is enlightening for anyone and I highly recommend it. I also commend the author for her incredible work in writing this great reference book.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Early generations of royal children saw very little of their parents for different reasons. Many parents did not want to be burdened with the day-to-day needs of their children. They also had royal duties that required their attention.
I found it fascinating how each of the royal couples had differing views of raising their children which sometimes made for sorrow for some mothers who weren’t allowed to be with their children. These families had large numbers of children up to 14 and more. Sadly, many of them never survived infancy.
I liked how the book included each ruler and the political beliefs of each of them. There were also big differences between families due to religious beliefs. The Catholic and Protestant faiths caused lots of friction. The impact of this on the children was huge resulting in anger and even death.
If I was a writer, I would want to have this book close by as a reference novel as it is chock full of lots of great facts about the 1000 years it covers. Just to read the book is enlightening for anyone and I highly recommend it. I also commend the author for her incredible work in writing this great reference book.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 1, 2017
I have long been a fan of the British monarchy and have quite a collection of books myself, so when I see a new book, I grab it! This one is a great addition to any library. Beginning in the tenth century, it is very detailed as to how different members of the royal families of Europe raised their children. Sometimes it is very, very detailed and tiresome, but still, all in all it is a great book.
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley. My review is honest and my own.
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley. My review is honest and my own.
April 6, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Carolyn Harris has written a book with an interesting persepective on European history, viewed with an eye on parenting. I enjoyed the book for its ability to make me stop and think about the differing parenting styles and their outcome on succession in some of the best known monarchies in Europe. One can easily pity the plight of royal children, who were pawns in political marriages, but sometimes also in schemes against one or both of their parents.
Those who like popular biographies of royals may find this book's more historical tone a bit dry but it is an intriguing view of the last thousand years of some of the best known royal families in Europe.
Carolyn Harris has written a book with an interesting persepective on European history, viewed with an eye on parenting. I enjoyed the book for its ability to make me stop and think about the differing parenting styles and their outcome on succession in some of the best known monarchies in Europe. One can easily pity the plight of royal children, who were pawns in political marriages, but sometimes also in schemes against one or both of their parents.
Those who like popular biographies of royals may find this book's more historical tone a bit dry but it is an intriguing view of the last thousand years of some of the best known royal families in Europe.
February 2, 2017
Raising Royalty provides a fact-filled survey of how 20 royal couples -- from Edward the Peaceable and Elfrida of Northhampton in the 10th century to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today -- approached child-rearing. Author Carolyn Harris blends history and anecdote to show how culture, tradition, and political expedience drove royal families throughout Europe to view their children as dynastic chess pieces that they moved into the care of noble friends, to abbeys and boarding schools, to other royal courts -- and sometimes even raised themselves -- as convenience and politics required.
Harris also explores the way many royal parents over time have taken an unsentimental view of their children, paying relatively little attention to them. While it is clear that circumstances, such as wars that put parents an ocean away, sometimes intervened, other times kings and queens seem reluctant to engage with the next generation. I would have liked her to explore this topic more, since she demonstrates this tension in almost every family over the past 1,000 years, especially the Hanovers.
With short chapters and lively writing, Raising Royalty is an book that many royal watchers will enjoy. In terms of history, though, it is a fairly superficial survey, that relies on many of the popular royal biographies that have appeared in the past 20 years, rather than original sources or new scholarship. Those who have read many royal biographies will not find anything new in this book, especially in the final chapters about the Queen and Prince Philip, Charles and Diana, and William and Katherine.
Still, Raising Royalty is an interesting and enjoyable read.
Harris also explores the way many royal parents over time have taken an unsentimental view of their children, paying relatively little attention to them. While it is clear that circumstances, such as wars that put parents an ocean away, sometimes intervened, other times kings and queens seem reluctant to engage with the next generation. I would have liked her to explore this topic more, since she demonstrates this tension in almost every family over the past 1,000 years, especially the Hanovers.
With short chapters and lively writing, Raising Royalty is an book that many royal watchers will enjoy. In terms of history, though, it is a fairly superficial survey, that relies on many of the popular royal biographies that have appeared in the past 20 years, rather than original sources or new scholarship. Those who have read many royal biographies will not find anything new in this book, especially in the final chapters about the Queen and Prince Philip, Charles and Diana, and William and Katherine.
Still, Raising Royalty is an interesting and enjoyable read.
June 7, 2017
Well researched, clearly and accessibly written, this exploration of how royal parents have brought up their children over the centuries is both entertaining and illuminating. As with any such comprehensive history book I found I couldn't manage much more than a chapter at a time, especially with all the endless Williams, Henrys and Richards of the early years, but as a book to dip into and inform other historical readings it couldn’t be bettered.
April 14, 2017
Raising a prince or princess is much more than the Once-Upon-A-Time of fairy tales. Bringing up a royal child is parenting on a grand scale - preparing the next generation of rulers, setting political alliances, and maintaining the grandeur and expectations of a 24/7 public role. Raising Royalty presents the stories of 20 different royal families and their children over the past 1000 years. From grand palaces to lonely exile, arranged marriages and political intrigue, to armed rebellion, overindulgence and even abuse, the stories tell an ever evolving tale of what it means to be royal.
I loved this book! From Edgar the Peaceable to the modern Prince William and Catherine Middleton, it shows not only the progression of monarchy over time but the changes in the way royals parent their children. Some had only rare contact with their children. Others saw them as political rivals. And some were doting, loving parents. Harris writes in a style that makes the family history of 20 royal families interesting and accessible.
I've read many books on European history, but this is the first I've read that focuses on royal family life and parental relationships. So interesting! The book is organized by date and ruling couple. Harris gives information on the rulers' childhoods and how their youth formed their parental style (or lack thereof in some cases). Any reader with interest in the history of Europe and royals would enjoy this book!
Harris, who teaches history at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, has also written two other books on history - Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada, and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website at: .http://www.royalhistorian.com/
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Dundern via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
I loved this book! From Edgar the Peaceable to the modern Prince William and Catherine Middleton, it shows not only the progression of monarchy over time but the changes in the way royals parent their children. Some had only rare contact with their children. Others saw them as political rivals. And some were doting, loving parents. Harris writes in a style that makes the family history of 20 royal families interesting and accessible.
I've read many books on European history, but this is the first I've read that focuses on royal family life and parental relationships. So interesting! The book is organized by date and ruling couple. Harris gives information on the rulers' childhoods and how their youth formed their parental style (or lack thereof in some cases). Any reader with interest in the history of Europe and royals would enjoy this book!
Harris, who teaches history at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, has also written two other books on history - Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada, and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website at: .http://www.royalhistorian.com/
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Dundern via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
March 20, 2017
Raising Royalty by Carolyn Harris is a readable book that shows how different royal parents managed to raise their royal children while managing to survive the public spotlight. Her book seems to be well research and contains endnotes showing the research the author undertook to write her book.
Raising Royalty features the following royal families:
Edgar "The Peaceable" and Elfrida of Northampton
William I "The Conqueror" and Matilda of Flanders
Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine
Henry III and Eleanor of Provence
Edward III and Philippa of Hanault
Richard III and Anne Neville
Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile
Henry VIII and Catharine of Aragon
Frederick V, Elector Palatine and Elizabeth of England and Scotland
Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France
Peter I "The Great" of Russian and Catherine
Anne and George of Denmark
George II and Caroline of Ansbach
Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette of Austria
Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Nicholas II of Russia and Alexandra of Hesse-Darmstadt
Juliana of the Netherlands and Berhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
Elizabeth II and Phillip of Greece and Denmark
Prince Charles and Diana Spencer
Prince William and Catherine Middleton
If you enjoy reading history, and want to learn more about how royal families managed their children, you will like this book.
Review written after downloading a galley from Net Galley.
Raising Royalty features the following royal families:
Edgar "The Peaceable" and Elfrida of Northampton
William I "The Conqueror" and Matilda of Flanders
Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine
Henry III and Eleanor of Provence
Edward III and Philippa of Hanault
Richard III and Anne Neville
Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile
Henry VIII and Catharine of Aragon
Frederick V, Elector Palatine and Elizabeth of England and Scotland
Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France
Peter I "The Great" of Russian and Catherine
Anne and George of Denmark
George II and Caroline of Ansbach
Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette of Austria
Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Nicholas II of Russia and Alexandra of Hesse-Darmstadt
Juliana of the Netherlands and Berhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
Elizabeth II and Phillip of Greece and Denmark
Prince Charles and Diana Spencer
Prince William and Catherine Middleton
If you enjoy reading history, and want to learn more about how royal families managed their children, you will like this book.
Review written after downloading a galley from Net Galley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2023
This was a fascinating history of Europe told through the lease of royal parenting. It’s interesting how parenting philosophies have changed through the years, yet they seem to keep circling around.
January 23, 2017
I was expecting the book to be entirely be about English royalty, but was pleased to find that it covered enough of Europe to give it some diversity.
Filled with a lot of interesting facts and written in a way that held my attention.
Both well researched and written.
Filled with a lot of interesting facts and written in a way that held my attention.
Both well researched and written.
May 20, 2026
Fascinating! This was the best kind of pop nonfiction: popcorn topic (the raising of royal children — mostly English but all European — throughout the last 1000 years), bite-sized chapters with each dedicated to a different royal parenting couple, highly readable while also being well-researched.
March 20, 2017
A quick read on the evolution of raising children over the last 1,000 years. While focused on royal children this book could be a good start for looking into how any child was raised during a particular period in time. It looks at how culture, religion and society as well as circumstances affected how a child was brought up. From treating children like little adults to the gradual movement towards having a childhood and the role that parents play in the raising of their children. I was surprised that even early on there were books and guides for how to treat children so that they were raised right.
Received an advance copy via Netgalley.
Received an advance copy via Netgalley.
February 27, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Focusing on the relationship between royal parents and their children, it covers a vast swatch of British history (and of many other countries where the royal spouses were born or raised in). It shows how some behaviours were perpetuated in royal families and how others were brought in by foreign spouses. It leads the reader through developing customs and changing historical situations. And it shows how different generations dealt with heirs patiently waiting (or not waiting) and their "spare" brothers and sisters.
This book will, of course, be of interest to history buffs but even the lay person will enjoy the view of history it gives. The language is accessible and it doesn't require detailed knowledge of history for the reader to dive into it.
The only downside I found was that it tried a bit too hard to tie into the hype of the birth of a contemporary royal baby (guess who). It doesn't need this kind of cheap marketing.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review
This book will, of course, be of interest to history buffs but even the lay person will enjoy the view of history it gives. The language is accessible and it doesn't require detailed knowledge of history for the reader to dive into it.
The only downside I found was that it tried a bit too hard to tie into the hype of the birth of a contemporary royal baby (guess who). It doesn't need this kind of cheap marketing.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review
December 6, 2018
I loved this book, royalty through the ages showing how the privilege monster is made. Full well researched information and really well written. As an historian it is over course right up my street but it's a highly readable book that has mass appeal potential. You can draw a line through the ages to the royals of today with how they are raises in the bounds of expectation and protocol. Fabulous read!
June 3, 2019
Raising Royalty provides a brief overwiew of royal childrearing from the Middle Ages to the present day. My, how things have changed! Following a chronological order, the book focuses mostly on English royalty, with the odd motion of famous foreign royalty families, such as Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI and Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra. But you're mistaken if you think each short chapter only mentions the mundane day-to-day tasks of raising children. On the contrary, most of the book focuses on the political and cultural situation of the time to show how the ideas of raising children changed throughout the centuries. It's clear Harris has done a lot of research and knows her topic well. I just wish she had written in a more colloquial style.
April 22, 2018
This book was divided into chapters based on the royal parents. While most of the book focused on the parenting practices of the British Royal family through the years the author did cover some popular royal parents of other nations such as Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia the monarchs of the Netherlands. The book was a good overview of royal parenting.
June 25, 2017
This book gives the reader a fascinating account of raising royalty. Good read, very interesting.
January 14, 2019
Book received from NetGalley
Review to Come
Review to Come
June 10, 2019
A very enjoyable history of the royal nursery, and it also underscored that every time I read about the War of the Roses I understand it perfectly well for 24 hours and then it confuses me again.
August 27, 2021
4.5 stars. Well written and argued.
August 27, 2018
A great read!
This was a most interesting book, well-written, about a subject that’s not often discussed. I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the way royal children are reared.
This was a most interesting book, well-written, about a subject that’s not often discussed. I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the way royal children are reared.
January 14, 2017
I was expecting a list of "advice" and "lessons" and was pleasantly surprised.
Ms. Harris presents a HUGE amount of history in this book and her skill at writing in a way that keeps the reader engaged and interested is refreshing.
Anyone with any interest in royal families will love this book. It's a great read.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review
Ms. Harris presents a HUGE amount of history in this book and her skill at writing in a way that keeps the reader engaged and interested is refreshing.
Anyone with any interest in royal families will love this book. It's a great read.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review
April 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this intimate perspective on the history of royal families for 1,000 years. This book just makes me want to read more about history.
September 29, 2021
Read this one as research for a book I'm writing. Overall, it was alright. Interesting information presented in a way that's accessible to the average reader, and a quick read. That said, some parts felt a little rushed, like the author was trying to give as much information in as few pages as possible. The earlier chapters had a lot more information on European royal children themselves, how they were raised, and their relationships with their parents. Later chapters seemed to focus a lot more on the political backdrop against which royals were making parenting decisions rather than how they were actually raising their kids.
But, I did learn things, and that was the point of reading this. So, three stars for a solidly good read.
But, I did learn things, and that was the point of reading this. So, three stars for a solidly good read.
February 17, 2017
An interesting perspective, and one that takes a good look at the historical precedents regarding raising Royals - and why their decisions may seem out of touch at times.
January 27, 2017
Note that I read this book as a ARC and the author is published by my publisher.
Raising Royalty is a comprehensive study of how British Kings and Queens have raised their children. Twenty families with their widely varying parenting approaches from Anglo-Saxon times to the present are studied.
While the book is a thoroughly researched subject by a scholar, it is a joy to read. It provides a clear picture of how parenting in the rarified atmosphere of castles and palaces has evolved and, perhaps more importantly, why. Boys were brought up to fight and rule, and girls for dynastic/political marriages. Princes and princesses had no choice one thousand years ago and, one also sympathizes, today their futures are still fixed in stone but with a little more leeway.
Carolyn Harris, the author, has done an excellent job of writing this book for general readership and it will open eyes with the detail and surprises.
Recommended for history buffs and royal watchers.
Raising Royalty is a comprehensive study of how British Kings and Queens have raised their children. Twenty families with their widely varying parenting approaches from Anglo-Saxon times to the present are studied.
While the book is a thoroughly researched subject by a scholar, it is a joy to read. It provides a clear picture of how parenting in the rarified atmosphere of castles and palaces has evolved and, perhaps more importantly, why. Boys were brought up to fight and rule, and girls for dynastic/political marriages. Princes and princesses had no choice one thousand years ago and, one also sympathizes, today their futures are still fixed in stone but with a little more leeway.
Carolyn Harris, the author, has done an excellent job of writing this book for general readership and it will open eyes with the detail and surprises.
Recommended for history buffs and royal watchers.
February 2, 2017
Fascinating book which shows how Royal childhood has changed over the centuries, beginning with Prince William , Kate and the siblings, how Royal watchers are ever keen to criticize and praise the way the royals approach parenthood whereas in the past royal children were parented in nurseries and country palaces even in exile when their parents undertook royal duties. The book covers 20 European royal couples adaptation to parenthood, the good and bad points.
February 23, 2017
Finally a book that answers the questions we peasants have pondered for years....do royals face the same challenges with child-rearing? From Edgar "the Peaceable" and Elfrida of Northampton to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, this book explores various aspects and trends of parenting over the last 1000 years. With fathers and sons battling for crown, abdication crises, baby names, and overbearing mothers, this book has it all and more! You will not be able to put it down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews