Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy

by Kenneth J. Panton

Overview

The foundations of the British monarchy date from the era, more than a millennium ago, when Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Viking peoples competed for dominance. Early sovereigns exercised near-absolute power but over time that authority dwindled as the changing role of women, the democratization of society, dynastic intermarriage, financial demands, religious convictions, struggles for economic and political control, and territorial aggrandizement combined to promote change. The strengths and weaknesses of rulers such as William the Conqueror, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Mary, Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth also contributed to the evolution of the monarchy and are documented here.

Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy, Second Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 800 cross-referenced entries that cover significant events, places, institutions, and other aspects of British culture, economics, politics, and society. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the British monarchy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538175767
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/15/2023
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	704
Product dimensions:	6.29(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Kenneth J. Panton is professor emeritus at the University of Southern Mississippi. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh and King's College, University of London, he taught at London Guildhall University before moving to the United States to lead Southern Mississippi's British Studies program, taking 200 graduate and undergraduate students to the United Kingdom every summer. His publications include seven previous contributions to the Historical Dictionary series.

Table of Contents

Preface

Notes on Names

Chronology

Introduction

THE DICTIONARY

Appendix 1: Chronology of British Monarchs

Appendix 2: British Monarchs, Biographical Summaries

Appendix 3: Royal Consorts, Biographical Summaries

Appendix 4: The Line of Succession to the British Throne

Bibliography

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Features include a chronology of Britain’s monarchs, genealogies/family trees showing the links between the dynasties, a list of the 24 individuals in the line of succession behind Prince Charles, and an extensive bibliography.

American Reference Books Annual

The British monarchy stretches back into the dim past of recorded history, and a dictionary covering the subject would by necessity be lengthy. Indeed, this dictionary is exactly that, but every detail, entry, and page deserve the space accorded them because the author’s goal is comprehensiveness, which he most assuredly reaches. Cogency, partnered with thorough coverage, is the calling card here. Expectedly, every sovereign in the history of both the English and Scottish monarchies is given a biographical treatment, from one or two paragraphs—such as for King Eadwig (ca. 941–959) and King Ceawlin (ca. 536–593)—to, as in the cases of King Henry VIII and Queen Victoria, for instance, a two-page presentation. Lesser members of the various royal dynasties earn an entry if, as with the current House of Windsor, they have contemporary interest or, with older dynasties (Tudor, Stuart, etc.), have left some mark on history. In these portraits, the author cites important information about the individual’s life, and in most instances, he interjects a kernel of insight into character and personal significance. Of course, events and places affiliated with monarchical history occupy much space; the 1701 Act of Settlement, for instance, is cited for its immediate and long-lasting effects, as is Linlithgow Palace, in Scotland, placed in its historical context. Likewise, readers will find an incisive explanation of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 as well as a historical view of Westminster Abbey. Most helpful after all is said and done is the inclusion of “theoretical” concepts associated with the monarchy: such terms as Civil list, Heir (or heiress) presumptive, and Princess Royal. The author’s Familiarity with these terms, definitions of which are not as clearly explained in other sources, contributes to a greatly impressive understanding of the British monarchy’s practices and principles. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Booklist

This remarkable continuity explains why the Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy is comprising 660 entries, about three-quarters of which refer to persons or families, the others covering places, events, titles, institutions and constitutional documents significant in the history of the monarchy, together with a few miscellaneous entries such as Crown Jewels....The breadth of the author’s knowledge is extensive; not only does he chronicle the careers of such little known dignitaries as Baldwin of Boulogne and Octreda of Northumbria, but also he can tell us that the capital of the tiny and remote colony of Tristan da Cunha is called Edinburgh” after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, and he knows Prince Andrew’s golf handicap. I was astonished to find that American genealogists assert that President Obama is a direct descendant of William the Lion, King of Scots (died 1214).

Reference Reviews