Sadly, Crofton doesn’t explore any new ground in “Kings and Queens of England” and thus those readers well-read on English royalty will be somewhat bored unless looking for a quick recap. The Danish rulers, such as Cnut, were highly influential in the development of what would eventually become England and Britain, and their lives and those of their various family members should not be discounted. Often these were almost meaningless in terms of their lives, one (can’t remember which now – probably one of the Georges) died talking about the Church – not really one of his key interests while he was alive.

The colorful detailes of the private lives of the monarchs (William the 1st was obese, Edward the 2nd homosexual etc. Crofton also states too many myths and propaganda pieces as though they are factual plus much of “Kings and Queens of England” is dated (such as the section on Richard III). I haven't charted out my visits for the summer term, but I'm sure there are several in the south) and thanks so much for being so fantastic!And, people have given their lives for really awful rulers who used them for their own purposes without guilt.

In this third instalment of the series that began with The Prime Ministers and The Presidents, Iain Dale charts this long history of the English and British monarchy, with 64 essays by journalists, historians and politicians on every individual to have sat on the throne, as well as some who didn't.

Crofton's work speaks for itself once you open the cover and start to delve into the historical facts and photos of the people who ruled.