Kensington Palace is now most famous as the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales, but the palace's glory days came between 1714 and 1760, during the reigns of George I and II . In the eighteenth century, this palace was a world of skulduggery, intrigue, politicking, etiquette, wigs, and beauty spots, where fans whistled open like switchblades and unusual people were kept as curiosities. Lucy Worsley's The Courtiers charts the trajectory of the fantastically quarrelsome Hanovers and the last great gasp of British court life. Structured around the paintings of courtiers and servants that line the walls of the King's Staircase of Kensington Palace—paintings you can see at the palace today—The Courtiers goes behind closed doors to meet a pushy young painter, a maid of honor with a secret marriage, a vice chamberlain with many vices, a bedchamber woman with a violent husband, two aging royal mistresses, and many more. The result is an indelible portrait of court life leading up to the famous reign of George III , and a feast for both Anglophiles and lovers of history and royalty.
Hardcover, Pubbed: August 2010
ISBN: 9780802719874
My Review...
Kudos to you Ms. Worsley! I personally enjoy reading historical factual books because I'm obsessed, but for some people reading history books can be a bit of a bore. Rest assured, when you pick up this book, you won't be bored! (and if you are, for shame!) Ms. Worsley has a natural story telling voice, which was active, inviting and intriguing. She tells the story of Kensington Palace and its inhabitants during a time period I have had a brief introduction to before, but am now fully informed of, and things that I never would have found on my own.
I think this is what most intrigued me about the book, it wasn't just the story of the kings, queens, princesses, and other royals, but covered the lives of those who traipsed through the palace daily--servants too! And all of them held secrets. The book brought to life that saying, "If these walls could talk..." and apparently they did talk to Ms. Worsley, and we are lucky enough to hear what they said.
The book also comes with pictures, which pleased me immensely! While I do have a vivid enough imagination to picture the people and palace on my own, seeing it while reading it makes the book that much better.
This is definitely a keeper for me! And I have to say thank you to you Ms. Worsley, in casual conversation the other day, someone wondered when the English monarchs came from Germany, and because I'd read your book, I knew exactly when. I look forward to reading your future works and stockpiling your backlist.
Cheers!
Eliza
About the Author...
Lucy Worsley is the chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that looks after The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, and Kensington Palace. She is the author of Cavalier: A Tale of Chivalry, Passion, and Great Houses. Visit Ms. Worsley at www.lucyworsley.com
