What do you think?
Rate this book
Gay Monarch: The Life and Pleasures of Edward VII
“When Queen Victoria gave birth to her eldest son, on November 11, 1841, cannons roared, flags fluttered, and many a loyal subject went to bed tipsy.”
Queen Victoria was adamant that little Edward was to grow up to be just like his father, Prince Albert, the man she adored.
A strict regime of schooling, high society, Oxford, Cambridge and the army followed; all measures designed to prepare Edward for life as King.
But Edward had other priorities…
Despite rigid etiquette, Edward caused considerable scandal with affairs and his jovial nature.
Royal family politics became dire when Queen Victoria held Edward responsible for the death of Albert.
After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 he succeeded to the throne and a new, progressive and far less sober era began.
His reign was one of liberalism, embracing the arts, science and literature. Yet for all his flair and professional diplomacy, Edward lacked interest in the Conservative and Liberal battles of government, which blighted the end of his reign.
However, the transformative nature of his foreign policy, and the ease with which he combined pleasure and duty, meant England became more fashionable and influential than ever before, with growing European relations and the most powerful Navy in the world.
Edward was often referred to as ‘the Uncle of Europe’, he was highly regarded for his foreign policy and was the first monarch to visit Russia.
Virginia Cowles paints an intimate portrait of a King who despite his pursuit of pleasure, went on to become an immensely popular ruler.
Virginia Cowles (1910-1983) was an author and journalist. Born in Vermont, USA she became a well-known journalist in the 1930s with her columns appearing on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Second World War she covered the Italian campaign, the liberation of Paris, and the Allied invasion of Germany. In 1945 she married the politician and writer Aidan Crawley. She wrote many biographies including 'Winston Churchill; the Era and the Man' and 'Edward VII and His Circle'.
Queen Victoria was adamant that little Edward was to grow up to be just like his father, Prince Albert, the man she adored.
A strict regime of schooling, high society, Oxford, Cambridge and the army followed; all measures designed to prepare Edward for life as King.
But Edward had other priorities…
Despite rigid etiquette, Edward caused considerable scandal with affairs and his jovial nature.
Royal family politics became dire when Queen Victoria held Edward responsible for the death of Albert.
After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 he succeeded to the throne and a new, progressive and far less sober era began.
His reign was one of liberalism, embracing the arts, science and literature. Yet for all his flair and professional diplomacy, Edward lacked interest in the Conservative and Liberal battles of government, which blighted the end of his reign.
However, the transformative nature of his foreign policy, and the ease with which he combined pleasure and duty, meant England became more fashionable and influential than ever before, with growing European relations and the most powerful Navy in the world.
Edward was often referred to as ‘the Uncle of Europe’, he was highly regarded for his foreign policy and was the first monarch to visit Russia.
Virginia Cowles paints an intimate portrait of a King who despite his pursuit of pleasure, went on to become an immensely popular ruler.
Virginia Cowles (1910-1983) was an author and journalist. Born in Vermont, USA she became a well-known journalist in the 1930s with her columns appearing on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Second World War she covered the Italian campaign, the liberation of Paris, and the Allied invasion of Germany. In 1945 she married the politician and writer Aidan Crawley. She wrote many biographies including 'Winston Churchill; the Era and the Man' and 'Edward VII and His Circle'.
- GenresHistory
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2018
129 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Cowles
27 books66 followers(Harriet) Virginia Spencer Cowles OBE was a noted American journalist, biographer, and travel writer. During her long career, Cowles went from covering fashion, to covering the Spanish Civil War, the turbulent period in Europe leading up to World War II, and the entire war. Her service as a correspondent was recognized by the British government with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1947. After the war, she published a number of critically acclaimed biographies of historical figures. In 1983, while traveling with her husband in France, she was killed in an automobile accident near Biarritz.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2023
This book completely changed my view of King Edward 7. It was well written and gave me an insight into the pressures Charles faced as well.
I didn’t realise what a skilled diplomat Edward the 7th was.
The book was well thought out and presented.
I didn’t realise what a skilled diplomat Edward the 7th was.
The book was well thought out and presented.
November 2, 2016
Edward VII, known as Albert Edward before his coronation, was brought up under the rigid German regime and considered the lesser child when compared to his sister Vickie. In fact, the worse the report on his behaviour and intelligence, the better seen it was by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Thought of as stupid and lazy, Albert Edward was never given responsibilities and, so, followed his inclination to pleasure, luxury and excesses.
However, after his mother's death and his inheritance, the other side of his nature would come out: well traveled, connected to all the royal houses of Europe, elegant and subtle, he was a natural diplomat and a leader of Europe in the decade leading up to the First World War.
This is a fascinating book, giving insight into the man who helped form the British/French alliance and into the politics and diplomacy of the period. It combining tales of extravagant society and of the social rise of the self made millionaires with the dealings between countries (and, often, family members as well). A good background is provided, so the book is enjoyable even by the reader unfamiliar with the period.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for a fair and unbiased review.
However, after his mother's death and his inheritance, the other side of his nature would come out: well traveled, connected to all the royal houses of Europe, elegant and subtle, he was a natural diplomat and a leader of Europe in the decade leading up to the First World War.
This is a fascinating book, giving insight into the man who helped form the British/French alliance and into the politics and diplomacy of the period. It combining tales of extravagant society and of the social rise of the self made millionaires with the dealings between countries (and, often, family members as well). A good background is provided, so the book is enjoyable even by the reader unfamiliar with the period.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for a fair and unbiased review.
October 28, 2022
A fun loving monarch.
A short reign in an era of peace but with a growing fear of a future major conflict. The Edwardian era saw the end of isolationism due to treaties with France, Japan and Russia. Edward played no small part in paving the way. Primarily a monarch who was dedicated to an excessive lifestyle that led to his death. A well rounded biography that brings the subject vividly to life as well as his era. Highly recommend.
A short reign in an era of peace but with a growing fear of a future major conflict. The Edwardian era saw the end of isolationism due to treaties with France, Japan and Russia. Edward played no small part in paving the way. Primarily a monarch who was dedicated to an excessive lifestyle that led to his death. A well rounded biography that brings the subject vividly to life as well as his era. Highly recommend.
October 24, 2016
Wasn't what i expected
It was OK. Wasn't what I expected. Too much "extra" history and not enough on the King himself. Good reading but a bit boring for my taste. Sorry.
It was OK. Wasn't what I expected. Too much "extra" history and not enough on the King himself. Good reading but a bit boring for my taste. Sorry.
January 14, 2018
Easy to read
Full of knowledge, some that I knew but much that I learnt. Enjoyed this Author and an now going to see if he has written one in George v
Full of knowledge, some that I knew but much that I learnt. Enjoyed this Author and an now going to see if he has written one in George v
December 29, 2024
This wasn’t really what I expected. There were many specific details about the people he interacted with who were part of the British political process and this is why I rated it as high as I did. Surprisingly not so much much info about his relationships with parents, wife and children. This is a book about King Edward VII and his extracurricular activities before and after marriage and before and after becoming king. That didn’t seem to be the focus to me, yet it still provided a better overall approach to what made him an effective successor to Queen Victoria.
September 3, 2016
A factual description of the life, times and influence of Albert Edward who became Edward VII. Who although lived through the sober and rigid society instigated by his parents was able to create his own liberal society. But who became vastly interested and influential in British foreign affairs to some degree because he was related to virtually all the royal houses.
An interesting read of an era that I knew very little of so consequently I learnt some new facts.
A NetGalley Book
An interesting read of an era that I knew very little of so consequently I learnt some new facts.
A NetGalley Book
January 14, 2018
Nothing new here but well written
Nothing here that I did not know before but the delving into the political & foreign affairs is very detailed. It shows as anyone who has studied Edward VII that there was much more to him than just his love of women, wine, & song. His court was opulent & there would not be another like it. If only he had lived a few more year the slaughter of WWI may not have occurred.
Nothing here that I did not know before but the delving into the political & foreign affairs is very detailed. It shows as anyone who has studied Edward VII that there was much more to him than just his love of women, wine, & song. His court was opulent & there would not be another like it. If only he had lived a few more year the slaughter of WWI may not have occurred.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews