The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Royal Britain

This is a magnificent study of Britain's royal heritage with a directory of royalty and over 120 of the most important historic buildings. Britain's royal, architectural and historic heritage is celebrated in this compendium guide to one of the world's leading monarchies, with over 1000 photographs, paintings, drawings, maps and family trees. It is a chronological biographical gazetteer of every king and queen from the legendary King Arthur through the Ages of Elizabeth and Victoria to the present day. It offers in-depth illustrated surveys of over 120 of the most important castles, palaces and stately houses. This celebration of British royalty and architecture will delight and inform every reader. The book opens with a magnificent illustrated history of the kings and queens of Britain, giving lives of every monarch, plus accounts of the Princes in the Tower, the Abdication Crisis, and challenges faced by the modern Royal Family. The second half focuses on some of the most dramatic historic sites in Britain and Ireland. You can explore the Norman castles, the royal palace of Hampton Court, and the master-pieces of Chatsworth and Castle Howard. The important legacy of Britain's past her kings and queens, castles and palaces is fully explained in this fascinating book.