The argument has always been about how much personal power the monarch has and how much control over the monarch the governing structure, eventually, parliament, has.Starkey’s book is a little whirlwind at times as he crams in all the action, but is always readable and always exciting. It is clear that Britain’s parliamentary democracy has evolved through those relationships the monarch formed with the leading political class - warlords, aristocracy or, latterly, leading political figures.A common theme is that Britain has always seen a monarchy as the preferred model for governing the nation. In this book David Starkey presents a very different picture.The relationship between the monarchy and the political culture of Britain is long, but has been full of personality, revolution, civil conflict and enough skullduggery and excitement to match any other nation on Earth. Most people believe the British monarchy to be a long unbroken line stretching into some unspecified medieval past where the whole panoply of state and parliament was born fully formed.

I’m more knowledgeable in certain periods than others, so for those familiar periods it felt like reading a recap, as opposed to seeing things from a new or different perspective, which I’d hoped for from this historian author for whom I have a lot of respect.In short, this is a good read that I feel would’ve been better if it started from Alfred’s time in the 800s, rather than pre-Roman Britain, and therefore been more in-depth on the actual rulers of the whole of England from Athelstan onwards. He's skipped over.This is a work that would most likely appeal to readers largely unfamiliar with the history of England’s monarchy. Before reading this book, I expected Athelstan to be the first main focus after a preface-like approach to his famous grandfather and then his father. I was really surprised and disappointed that King Athelstan was little more than a footnote. This was interesting, but it takes up a lot of space, therefore detracting from the actual kings of the whole country, making for some scant coverage on monarchs who did a lot more than is shown here.

Instead, the author goes right back before Roman occupation, covering what’s known of Britain’s tribal kings. I expected him to start with Alfred the Great, who set the foundations for his grandson Athelstan to become the first King of England.

To be fair, though, he does cover a huge span of time. With it being written by David Starkey, presenter of many good history documentaries, I expected more depth. As good as this history of England is, I wasn't as absorbed by it as expected.

David starkey mary queen of scots