English Royalty Biographies

Asoka, who reigned from 268 to 232 BC, was the most famous emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, which was the ruling clan of the Indian subcontinent from 321 BC to 185 BC. He was one of the most famous early converts to Buddhism and became one of its greatest evangelists. Today Asoka has a twofold interest for us: political and religious. The illustrious member of the great dynasty, of which he was the most celebrated representative, has left indelible traces of its achievements in Indian history. Moreover, he was the leader of a spiritual movement that spread rapidly throughout the East.

Fоr mоrе thаn three dесаdеѕ in the lаtе 18th century, one woman ruled with an irоn fiѕt over аll оf Ruѕѕiа. That woman wаѕ Cаthеrinе the Great, and the роwеr ѕhе hеld аѕ a woman lеd thе рrеѕѕ, as wеll аѕ wоrld lеаdеrѕ, tо crucify hеr fоr it.

Princess Eugenie of France was the original Lady Diana of Parisian-Revolutionary-Victorian Society. Her life was full of turmoil and triumphs, encouraging anyone who has suffered to embrace her strength of character and compassion. This work was originally translated from German in 1910, 10 years before her death. The seconda author has attempted to shed new light on her impact on European History. Though this attempt is light indeed.

Volume I introduces the French history enthusiast to the author's beginnings, the king's unrelenting desire to establish his illegitimate children, his meddling in the lives of his court, and his successes and reverses on the battlefield.

When people think of Richard Branson, most would likely think of the Virgin group or think of Virgin Airlines. This book will inform you that, without a doubt, the man and the brand are totally unlike each other, and that the man behind the brand is really a highly empathic person. Discover more about the man behind the brand....

Understand a crucial part of the history of French monarchy with this collection of portraits of some of the most spectacular rulers of France: Louis XI, Louis XII, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Louis XVII, Louis XVIII, Louis-Philippe, and Henry IV, also known as the "Good King Henry". The history of the kingdom of France is crucial to understanding the shape of politics in Europe, and this detailed dive into the lives and reigns of these most famous rulers will familiarize you with the human and strategic stakes of this period.

Good. Evil. Dangerous. Glamorous. Will the real Cleopatra please stand up? Almost everything we know about the last queen of Egypt came from her enemies the Romans. Now it's time to meet the ''real'' Cleopatra, a ruler more complex, brilliant, and powerful than we ever knew. Cleopatra didn't just rock the boat when she became queen at seventeen. She rocked the world with brilliant alliances that kept her in power and in control. When Mark Antony tried to put Egypt under his thumb, she negotiated for - and won - more territory than any Egyptian ruler had snagged in generations.

For anyone trying to understand the origins of modern Russia, the search should begin with Tsar Peter I (1672-1725), who titled himself Peter the Great during his lifetime. The moniker is fitting, considering the manner in which Peter brought Russia out of the Middle Ages and into the 18th century.

Since Kate Middleton was thrust into the spotlight, her style has evolved from safe and conservative to elegant and chic. This unique audiobook looks at her transformation from student to socialite and follows her ascent into the influential fashion pack. Meet the girl who would grow up to marry a prince and see what it takes to become a style icon and modern-day princess.

England's first Queen Elizabeth gave her name to an age. Inheriting a bankrupt, famished, and powerless country, she healed its religious rifts, replenished its treasury, redefined diplomatic guile, defeated the Spanish Armada, and inspired a new flowering of English culture. Her father, Henry VIII, beheaded her mother, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth was declared a bastard. As Henry kept marrying and discarding wives, she had to be adroit and canny to avoid being snared in the schemes of courtiers plotting to win the crown.

Queen Elizabeth is perhaps the most legendary and celebrated ruler in English history. Yet do you really know her as well as you think you do? In this beautiful narrative biography, you explore Elizabeth’s path from “Lady Elizabeth” to “Gloriana” through the lens of her relationship with Robert Dudley, a relationship far more contentious than most people believe.

The reign of Queen Elizabeth II has seen huge changes in the lifestyle and expectations of peoples and nations. She has proved to be the constitutional monarch par excellence—while primarily a figurehead, she has guided the concept of monarchy through difficult times, both national and personal. And even when her family has been rocked by scandals, she has maintained a quiet dignity. In this informative yet entertaining audio-biography, Pearson Phillips reflects on her life and times.

At the age of 25, she received an Academy Award for Best Actress and little more than a year later, she became royalty. Stunningly beautiful, elusive, and aloof, Grace Kelly captured our imagination and affection throughout her storybook career and royal marriage. Raised in Philadelphia in an atmosphere of great wealth and greater expectations, Grace transformed from an aristocratic conforming beauty into a sensual, recklessly daring woman. In Grace, Robert Lacey breaks through the glittery façade of her public image and reveals a complex, surprisingly conflicted woman.

Few women in history have stood the test of time, but the true story surrounding the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots has ensured that her story lives on to intrigue and fascinate. Who was this 16th-century lady and what role did she play in the history of Great Britain? Piece together the Queen of Scots’ turbulent relationship with her cousin Elizabeth I of England, which ultimately proved to be her downfall. When the Queen of England signed Mary’s death warrant, the Queen of Scots, dressed in blood red, played out her final act under the executioner’s axe.

A time of extreme religious unrest, a most magnificent and dangerous court, and strong ideas about the need for a perfect heir: all this may have been enough to transform an intelligent, compassionate and generous young king into such a bloody monster that he was eventually called the "English Nero". Henry VIII is most remembered for his six marriages, two of which ended with beheadings.

Henry V is one of the most famous monarchs England ever had. His story is one of incredible rise against overwhelming odds: as heir to the throne, he began as a complete failure, his reputation very low, as he was an insecure ruler and victim to plots and cabals to remove him from power. While England was at war with France, everything seemed to go from terrible to terribly worse. The Battle of Agincourt was one of the most impressive gambles ever taken in military history.

Richard III: one of the most divisive and enigmatic figures in British history. Few monarchs have been held in greater infamy than Richard Plantagenet, who would later ascend the throne as King Richard III; his character has been passionately besmirched and defended, and the arguments still rage after several centuries. He was depicted as a deformed monster in Shakespeare's play, but maybe this was to obey the will of the Tudor monarchy of the time. His real tragedy was both personal and political; his story, replete with intrigue, murder, war, and treachery. Richard III laid the foundations for modern government, often taking the side of the people against the barons; for this, he eventually paid a terrible price.

King Edward I "Longshanks", or the "Hammer of the Scots", was a major figure of Medieval England. Arguably one of the most controversial British monarchs, he was portrayed as an ignominious villain in Mel Gibsons' Braveheart; but the reality was different. Indeed, his reign stands among the most dramatic and important of the entire Middle Ages, as Edward I brought war and conquest on an unprecedented scale; but he is also credited for bringing together the largest parliaments ever, for his competent rulership, and for the magnificent chain of castles he had built.

From a young age, Charles V showed tremendous potential and intelligence. As his father and grandfather before him continued to weaken France and ruin the prestige of their royal house, Charles’ arrival on the scene couldn’t have come at a better time.

King Philip VI was the first French King of the famous House Valois, and he inherited France at the height of its power. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t remain that way for long. His fierce rivalry with King Edward of England destabilized the region, threw France into turmoil, and launched one of Europe's most infamous wars: The Hundred Years’ War. Originally born into minor nobility, Philip was never considered to one day be king. The life journey of Philip VI, the first king of House Valois, is a truly fascinating story filled with unsuspecting inheritance.