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Kings, Queens, Bones & Bastards: Who's Who in the English Monarchy from Egbert to Elizabeth II
Who invented the "House of Windsor" as a royal name? Who founded Westminster Abbey? Which King had 21 illegitimate children? This engaging volume offers a continuous history of the English monarchy that shows how nine dynasties rose and fell, and uncovers the more unusual incidents of royal history. From Egbert—crowned in 802—to Elizabeth II, the histories of each monarch’s reign, as well as the extraordinary lives of their spouses, consorts, mistresses, and bastard children, are all addressed.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 7, 2019
This book was chock full of fun facts, trivia, and a lot of information. It contained every ruler from the first to the current Queen Elizabeth. Each royal figure had anywhere from a paragraph to two pages. I thought that was enough information - just a taste and if anyone sounded super interesting I could go do some research on my own.
It was three sections - the royal Monarch, the spouse of the Monarch and/or the Mistress/Lover, and the burial location. I liked the author's tongue in cheek humor. It made it great and down to Earth. There were also great drop ins that would talk about hodgepodge items such as castles that had been conceived by select royalty or special locations. I'm a little horrified to find out how many royal bones have been stolen over the years.
I did struggle with the repetitive. I read a book from cover to cover without reading other books. So when David did Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth right in a row (because that's how they ruled), he repetitively talked about the six wives of Henry VIII. And then they ALL that their own section in the Wife section. Also, I don't know if David anticipated anyone outside of England buying his book because he kept mentioning "our" monarchy and the King we all hated to study in school. But that's not a terrible complaint.
It was three sections - the royal Monarch, the spouse of the Monarch and/or the Mistress/Lover, and the burial location. I liked the author's tongue in cheek humor. It made it great and down to Earth. There were also great drop ins that would talk about hodgepodge items such as castles that had been conceived by select royalty or special locations. I'm a little horrified to find out how many royal bones have been stolen over the years.
I did struggle with the repetitive. I read a book from cover to cover without reading other books. So when David did Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth right in a row (because that's how they ruled), he repetitively talked about the six wives of Henry VIII. And then they ALL that their own section in the Wife section. Also, I don't know if David anticipated anyone outside of England buying his book because he kept mentioning "our" monarchy and the King we all hated to study in school. But that's not a terrible complaint.
August 20, 2022
Undoubtedly an amusing and insightful look into the English monarchy, full of interesting information, however, there were certain biases or bits of misinformation that were disconcerting for me. For example:
-The way that the author portrays the LGBT monarchs rubbed me the wrong way; he uses very negative language and tends to highlight their worst traits or certain (obviously biased) opinions against them. At the beginning of each monarch's section, Hilliam highlights certain traits about them-"weak, extravagant, incompetent," or "strong, capable, and energetic,"- and he always lists "homosexual" among negative character traits. For example, in describing King Edward II: "Appallingly tactless, self-centered, homosexual and incompetent..."
I am aware that homophobia was the norm during these monarchs' lifetimes, and that many of their contemporaries did deem homosexuality as a negative character trait, however, it feels as if Hilliam is only perpetuating these biases against the LGBT monarchs.
-In the 'Royal Mistresses and Bastards' section, Hilliam describes Elizabeth I as a "perhaps willing" victim of Lord Thomas Seymour's sexual advances. While Elizabeth's feelings about Seymour and her reactions to his behavior are largely unknown and anything can be speculated upon, I find it inappropriate to imply she willingly received Seymour's advances when she was a 13-14 year old girl being preyed upon by a man 25 years her senior who seemed to only want to get close to her to increase his hold on power. Seymour often visited young Elizabeth in a state of undress and Elizabeth even wrote on the outside of a letter meant for Seymour "Let him not touch me," implying his advances were unwanted. Additionally, Elizabeth's own governess expressed concern over Seymour's advances. Therefore, I find it offputting that this relationship was described as "perhaps willing" and included in the 'Mistresses and Bastards' section.
-Hilliam leaves out some very key information about the lives of the consorts. For example, no mention is made of Catherine of Aragon serving as the first female ambassador in European history, a noteworthy accomplishment and an important detail of her life story. Nor is there any mention of Catherine's role in rallying troops during the Battle of Flodden while heavily pregnant. This may seem nitpicky, but I do believe these details of Catherine's life fit in with the other fun facts and anecdotes mentioned in the book (such as Eleanor of Aquitaine's crusade) and serve to flesh her out so that her story does not begin and end with Henry's mistreatment of her.
-Hilliam states that Mary Boleyn bore Henry VIII a bastard son, referring to Henry Carey. This is purely speculation, and most likely inaccurate since Mary's affair with the king most likely ended before Henry Carey's birth. Hilliam makes no mention of the fact that Mary's eldest child, Catherine Carey, was also rumored to be sired by Henry VIII.
-In the section on Anne Boleyn, Hilliam writes: "There were even physical oddities about her, which seemed to suggest that there was something unnatural about her: she had a large mole on her neck, and six fingers on her left hand...." This is blatant misinformation. The source of this description of Anne is Nicholas Sander, who: (1) Was a Catholic living during the reign of her Protestant daughter whose reign he wished to discredit; he was clearly biased against both Anne and her daughter (due to Anne being the impetus for Henry VIII commencing the English Reformation, and Elizabeth being a staunch Protestant) (2) Was about 6 years old when Anne was executed (3) Never even met Anne. This goes to show that Hilliam did not look much into sources or myths before presenting them as fact, and instead has perpetuated biased inaccuracies.
Any other inaccuracies are simply due to the book being published before new information was released (The remains of Richard III being identified beneath a Leicester parking lot, for example.) Despite my gripes with the biases and errors occasionally presented in the text, I did overall enjoy this book. It kept me entertained and serves as a pretty solid introduction to the lives of the English monarchs, their consorts, and their remains.
-The way that the author portrays the LGBT monarchs rubbed me the wrong way; he uses very negative language and tends to highlight their worst traits or certain (obviously biased) opinions against them. At the beginning of each monarch's section, Hilliam highlights certain traits about them-"weak, extravagant, incompetent," or "strong, capable, and energetic,"- and he always lists "homosexual" among negative character traits. For example, in describing King Edward II: "Appallingly tactless, self-centered, homosexual and incompetent..."
I am aware that homophobia was the norm during these monarchs' lifetimes, and that many of their contemporaries did deem homosexuality as a negative character trait, however, it feels as if Hilliam is only perpetuating these biases against the LGBT monarchs.
-In the 'Royal Mistresses and Bastards' section, Hilliam describes Elizabeth I as a "perhaps willing" victim of Lord Thomas Seymour's sexual advances. While Elizabeth's feelings about Seymour and her reactions to his behavior are largely unknown and anything can be speculated upon, I find it inappropriate to imply she willingly received Seymour's advances when she was a 13-14 year old girl being preyed upon by a man 25 years her senior who seemed to only want to get close to her to increase his hold on power. Seymour often visited young Elizabeth in a state of undress and Elizabeth even wrote on the outside of a letter meant for Seymour "Let him not touch me," implying his advances were unwanted. Additionally, Elizabeth's own governess expressed concern over Seymour's advances. Therefore, I find it offputting that this relationship was described as "perhaps willing" and included in the 'Mistresses and Bastards' section.
-Hilliam leaves out some very key information about the lives of the consorts. For example, no mention is made of Catherine of Aragon serving as the first female ambassador in European history, a noteworthy accomplishment and an important detail of her life story. Nor is there any mention of Catherine's role in rallying troops during the Battle of Flodden while heavily pregnant. This may seem nitpicky, but I do believe these details of Catherine's life fit in with the other fun facts and anecdotes mentioned in the book (such as Eleanor of Aquitaine's crusade) and serve to flesh her out so that her story does not begin and end with Henry's mistreatment of her.
-Hilliam states that Mary Boleyn bore Henry VIII a bastard son, referring to Henry Carey. This is purely speculation, and most likely inaccurate since Mary's affair with the king most likely ended before Henry Carey's birth. Hilliam makes no mention of the fact that Mary's eldest child, Catherine Carey, was also rumored to be sired by Henry VIII.
-In the section on Anne Boleyn, Hilliam writes: "There were even physical oddities about her, which seemed to suggest that there was something unnatural about her: she had a large mole on her neck, and six fingers on her left hand...." This is blatant misinformation. The source of this description of Anne is Nicholas Sander, who: (1) Was a Catholic living during the reign of her Protestant daughter whose reign he wished to discredit; he was clearly biased against both Anne and her daughter (due to Anne being the impetus for Henry VIII commencing the English Reformation, and Elizabeth being a staunch Protestant) (2) Was about 6 years old when Anne was executed (3) Never even met Anne. This goes to show that Hilliam did not look much into sources or myths before presenting them as fact, and instead has perpetuated biased inaccuracies.
Any other inaccuracies are simply due to the book being published before new information was released (The remains of Richard III being identified beneath a Leicester parking lot, for example.) Despite my gripes with the biases and errors occasionally presented in the text, I did overall enjoy this book. It kept me entertained and serves as a pretty solid introduction to the lives of the English monarchs, their consorts, and their remains.
January 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Were there a few errors here and there? Sure, but I was reading it for pleasure, not as a non-fiction book. Besides, they were just that...few. If you love all things royal, then this is definitely a book you'll enjoy. While there a handful of monarchs I know quite a bit about (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Charles II, etc), there are quite a few I know almost nothing about (I tend to get all the George's and Edward's confused). This was a great little introduction into all those less popular monarchs.
If you're doing research or need to read up on royals for a class, then I suggest getting some different sources, but if you're looking for something to kill time and you love reading about Kings and Queens, then give this book a try. As long as you don't take it too seriously, I think you'll really like it.
If you're doing research or need to read up on royals for a class, then I suggest getting some different sources, but if you're looking for something to kill time and you love reading about Kings and Queens, then give this book a try. As long as you don't take it too seriously, I think you'll really like it.
March 22, 2010
I have always been fond of the type of history books that introduce the monarchs of England, they're part of how I first came to love the subject and I have one or two intro books that still sit on my shelf at home. This book, however, does not hold up. It's riddled with errors (Mary II is *not* the sister of James II, thank you very much), and the tone and anecdotes that the author injects detracts from the information that he is trying to convey. I get that he's trying to make it humorous for the beginning reader, but it shouldn't be done at the expense of the book's subject.
October 6, 2017
An amusing brief look at the kings and queens of England, their children and bastard children, and their resting places for their bones. Enjoyable.
February 19, 2023
Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards provides a brief overview of the entirety of the English (and later British) succession of monarchs, from Anglo-Saxon times up to Elizabeth II. The four main chapters of the book take the reader on a chronological tour of 1) the reigning monarchs, 2) the reigning consorts, 3) the locations of royal bones, and 4) the mistresses, lovers and bastards of the reigning monarchs. Each segment is extremely brief, which makes for a very general introduction to each historical person, but for what it is, the book does a good job of providing a bit of context, some information on the key events during each reign, and a couple of by-words to remember each monarch. The style of the book is more relaxed and anecdotal than scientific, and the book is clearly intended for a broad audience. Nevertheless, it makes for an enjoyable read and is also well-suited as a reference book on the English-British line of succession.
January 8, 2025
An engaging read that provides numerous intriguing insights into the lives, reigns, and deaths of the British Monarchy, spanning from the Saxons to Queen Elizabeth II. For those unfamiliar with British history, this serves as a suitable starting point for your learning journey; however, it is important to note that it may not be entirely accurate.
While the book is captivating, I found the author's perspective on topics such as obesity, homosexuality, and violence against women to be somewhat cold. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that he was likely reflecting the societal views of those times.
Though it offers an interesting overview, it should not be regarded as a comprehensive history of the monarchy due to its inaccuracies. The book is organized into sections, progressing chronologically to Queen Elizabeth II in each of those sections. However, the significant repetition throughout the text occasionally made it feel redundant.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book!
While the book is captivating, I found the author's perspective on topics such as obesity, homosexuality, and violence against women to be somewhat cold. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that he was likely reflecting the societal views of those times.
Though it offers an interesting overview, it should not be regarded as a comprehensive history of the monarchy due to its inaccuracies. The book is organized into sections, progressing chronologically to Queen Elizabeth II in each of those sections. However, the significant repetition throughout the text occasionally made it feel redundant.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book!
August 16, 2018
If you don't know British history or anything about the English monarchy, this is an amusing introduction. However, there are so many errors that the reader shouldn't take anything at face value. For example, Roger Mortimer was first buried at Grey Friars in Coventry, not London, then moved to Wigmore Abbey where his wife Joan was buried next to him later, not Isabella of France who is buried in Grey Friars in London.
There are many anecdotes which have not a shred of truth, and others of dubious merit. While my copy was an updated version, it still doesn't have the correct burial for Richard III or the findings that the discovery of his body revealed from 2012. It's a shame because this could be a good primer if the numerous errors were corrected.
There are many anecdotes which have not a shred of truth, and others of dubious merit. While my copy was an updated version, it still doesn't have the correct burial for Richard III or the findings that the discovery of his body revealed from 2012. It's a shame because this could be a good primer if the numerous errors were corrected.
October 20, 2020
Kõike muud kui kuivas ja huumorivaeses stiilis kirjutatud raamat on huvitav ja nauditav ning piisavalt kerge ja meelelahutuslik lugemisvara igale ajaloohuvilisele. Teose ülesehituse tõttu kippusid küll nii mõnedki faktid korduma, kuid see ei rikkunud positiivset üldmuljet.
Autori pingevaba stiil viitab tema lektoritööle- ta teab, kuidas lugejaid köita. Muidugi hakkas mu huvi taas veidi kahvatuma pöördvõrdeliselt kronoloogia edenemisega, kuid see pole küll kuidagi Hilliami süü. Aga keskaegne ajalugu oli ülipaeluv: eks see üks paras troonide mäng ja kuningate heitlus oli. Kahju ainult, et mu väeti mälu ei talleta tagantjärele suurt midagi suure ajalooareeni nimede ja seikluslike sündmuste virrvarrist...
Autori pingevaba stiil viitab tema lektoritööle- ta teab, kuidas lugejaid köita. Muidugi hakkas mu huvi taas veidi kahvatuma pöördvõrdeliselt kronoloogia edenemisega, kuid see pole küll kuidagi Hilliami süü. Aga keskaegne ajalugu oli ülipaeluv: eks see üks paras troonide mäng ja kuningate heitlus oli. Kahju ainult, et mu väeti mälu ei talleta tagantjärele suurt midagi suure ajalooareeni nimede ja seikluslike sündmuste virrvarrist...
August 3, 2024
While it's an enjoyable and easy read, it could do with an update as it was written in 1998 so things like Richard III being found and other things being found or updated need to be added. But there are some very simple errors made like the nonsense about Henry VIII having syphalis which he didn't and saying that Catherine Howard and Anne Boyleyn used the same execution block when Anne never had a block as she was executed with a sword seem a bit silly to not get right!
In summary it's a good read but could do with an update and a few corrections!
In summary it's a good read but could do with an update and a few corrections!
July 13, 2025
Although I haven't actually read all of this book, I'm happy to give it four stars, based on the highly readable, highly entertaining information I have gained from the chapters I have read. I dip into it when trying to remember what happened to Katheryn of Aragon, or what Richard III did, or when Victoria reigned, etc etc. The information seems mostly reliable, and is really cut to the minimum (Henry VIII in three pages!) to help me comprehend the complex history of England. It's especially useful when reading historical novels. I don't seem to have a hope of remembering even 10% of the facts about our monarchs, so I am frequently picking it up to check something.
July 21, 2025
2/2.5
Though I understand this book is meant to be a quick rundown of the English monarchy sprinkled with facts and stories along the way, I feel that it doesn’t offer much in terms of opinion or deep analysis.
On the rare occasion where Hilliam does offer his opinion, it’s often given in condescending and derogatory comments towards the powerful Queens and Regents that have shown strength during their rule. Instead of being labelled as intelligent, strong-willed, and resolute many are portrayed as cold-blooded, wicked, and akin to dragon ladies.
Though I understand this book is meant to be a quick rundown of the English monarchy sprinkled with facts and stories along the way, I feel that it doesn’t offer much in terms of opinion or deep analysis.
On the rare occasion where Hilliam does offer his opinion, it’s often given in condescending and derogatory comments towards the powerful Queens and Regents that have shown strength during their rule. Instead of being labelled as intelligent, strong-willed, and resolute many are portrayed as cold-blooded, wicked, and akin to dragon ladies.
March 19, 2018
I've read other books about the English monarchy, but this one goes a step further and includes wives, consorts, mistresses and illegitimate children. It also includes burial places (though published before Richard III was actually found beneath that Leicester parking lot, he mentions it.) All together a very interesting and very readable history/biography. I highly recommend to all interested.
December 12, 2020
This is simply an excuse for someone to espouse their opinions about former and current monarchs. It is highly biased and opinionated. It is also wildly homophobic. All rulers whose were suspected to be homosexual are depicted with their worst traits while the serial philanderer and tyrant Henry VIII is treated with tolerance and patience.
Don't waste your time with this. I'm sorry I can't get my 2.99 back.
Don't waste your time with this. I'm sorry I can't get my 2.99 back.
July 2, 2017
This was a fun book. Not a book as such in that it is more of an encyclopaedia of sorts, with entries for monarchs, consorts, resting places etc. Very informative, full of a lot of quirky facts, it does have a few errors but considering the amount of info that's not bad going.
I knew quite a bit in this area anyway but I still learnt some new facts so more than worth a read.
I knew quite a bit in this area anyway but I still learnt some new facts so more than worth a read.
May 9, 2021
The edition I read was a library copy published in 1998, therefore, quite obviously the information about Prince Philip is currently out of date and the information about the Queen Mum was very out of date. As for the information of the ancients there are vast amounts of facts that I didn't know about. In fact, one has given me inspiration to write a story or a play.
November 23, 2017
As boring as the book says!
Decided on this book purely for curiosity sake!
Unfortunately only suitable for anyone who needs a good reference book on the history of this country's proud monarchy!
Decided on this book purely for curiosity sake!
Unfortunately only suitable for anyone who needs a good reference book on the history of this country's proud monarchy!
December 27, 2017
Full of fascinating pieces of information that I didn't know!!!!
April 13, 2018
Good starter
A Great starter book for anyone that doesn’t fully understand the history of the monarchy like myself. A fascinating read.
A Great starter book for anyone that doesn’t fully understand the history of the monarchy like myself. A fascinating read.
April 7, 2019
Not the best book I've read on the British monarchy. Full of information, but not really a page turner.
June 6, 2020
Detailed and informative in a very enjoyable me way. Doesn’t burden you with serious stories and tone because there’s always a giggle in there somewhere.
October 4, 2020
It's all in the open.
A nice read with interest facts. This book should interest anyone who enjoys light non-fiction. I also enjoyed dipping in and out of this book.
A nice read with interest facts. This book should interest anyone who enjoys light non-fiction. I also enjoyed dipping in and out of this book.
April 24, 2021
Interesting
But note...the idea that Edward in was a Bayard has been conclusively disproved. And even if he was it would make no difference.
But note...the idea that Edward in was a Bayard has been conclusively disproved. And even if he was it would make no difference.
October 3, 2021
Interesting. But author editorializes a lot.
January 3, 2022
A bit monotonous
February 9, 2022
This is a fun read, a little traipse through lesser known history
February 19, 2024
Not an expert on the subject but based on what I’ve read before I think everything is not 100% accurate. Otherwise an entertaining book.
May 22, 2025
Very much enjoyed this book, it's hard to keep up at times but that's to be expected I think. I really liked the style of writing and the brutal comments the author has about certain monarchs.
July 28, 2021
One of those books for the tourists and visitors to England. A good, concise overview.
March 18, 2017
Good
I only knew from Henry viii as instant really interested in the others but this has made me want to look at the earlier kings
I only knew from Henry viii as instant really interested in the others but this has made me want to look at the earlier kings
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews