Tag: english history
-
The Graces by Breeze Barrington
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Graces: It’s all fun and games until someone loses their head. Quick synopsis: A look at the lives of women at the English Restoration Court. Fact for Non-History People: After the Restoration, women were allowed to act in public theaters for the first time. Fact for History Nerds: Charles II…
-
The Crown’s Silence by Brooke Newman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Crown’s Silence: It’s kind of their favorite move. Quick synopsis: The history of the British monarchy and the slave trade. Fact for Non-History People: The British slave trade enslaved and transported approximately 3.1 to 3.4 million Africans between 1640 and 1807. Fact for History Nerds: The UK government finished paying…
-
The Six Loves of James I by Gareth Russell
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Six Loves of James I: One of the loves is partying. Quick synopsis: A biography of King James VI and I of Scotland and England. Fact for Non-History People: James became King of Scotland at only 13 months old. Fact for History Nerds: James was the king when the Gunpowder…
-
The Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Stolen Crown: Wily Lizzie and slippery Jimmy. Quick synopsis: The story of the Elizabethan Succession and how it didn’t go the way we thought it did. Fact for Non-History People: In 1500, the English monarchy’s annual income was about 19 times that of Scotland. Fact for History Nerds: 60% of…
-
The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Plantagenets: When in doubt, make them sign the Magna Carta again. Quick synopsis: The story of the House of Plantagenet in England (and some other places, kinda). Fact for Non-History People: “Plantagenet” does have to do with plants! It’s from Latin for broom flower. Whatever that is. Fact for History…
-
Thomas More by Joanne Paul
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Thomas More: Little bit of saint, little bit of sinner. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of St. Thomas More. Fact for Non-History People: Thomas More is the patron saint of lawmakers and politicians. They need all the help then can get (zinger!). Fact for History Nerds: Utopia literally translates…
-
The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline The Peepshow: Worst liar ever. Except for that one time. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II era serial killer Reg Christie and the possible execution of an innocent man. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There was at least two serial killers in London during the World War II era.…
-
Tower by Nigel Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Tower: Prisoners, jewels, and animals, oh my! Quick synopsis: The story of the Tower of London. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It was actually a zoo for a while! Wait, sorry, not aristocratic enough. It was a menagerie. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Short list of big names kept in…
-
The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Eagle and the Hart: Richard II sucked. (The actual dude, not the play.) Quick synopsis: A look at what made Henry IV overthrow Richard II of England. Fact for Non-History People: The bill for the candle wax alone to celebrate the birth of Richard’s older brother was 400 pounds…