Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the Royal Household

Behind the Throne is a history of family life, revealing the reality of five centuries of life at the English court, exploring life as it was lived by clerks, courtiers, clowns, and crowned heads.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 384 pages
\n Publication date: 27 September 2018
\n Publisher: Vintage Publishing
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The royal family lived a life of luxury and indulgence, enjoying fine food, entertainment, and social gatherings with their friends and acquaintances. However, their lives were not without their challenges and difficulties.

Henry VIII, for example, was known for his love of hunting and his numerous marriages. However, his obsession with finding a male heir led to several divorces and the break of the Church of England. George II, on the other hand, was a strict and authoritarian king who threw his son out of the house for engaging in a scandalous affair. James I, in contrast, was a heavy drinker who had to cut back on his expenses due to the rising costs of alcohol.

Despite these challenges, the royal families had access to a vast network of support and assistance. Charles I maintained a household of 2,000 people, including servants, courtiers, and musicians. Victoria's medical establishment alone consisted of thirty doctors, three dentists, and a chiropodist. Even today, Elizabeth II keeps a full-time staff of 1,200 people.

A royal household was not just a collection of individuals but a community, a vast machine that was designed to smooth the sovereign's path through life while simultaneously confirming their status. Everyone, from the Master of the Horse down to the Assistant Table Decker, played a crucial role in ensuring that the king or queen was well taken care of.

The book "Behind the Throne" by Adrian Tinniswood provides a fascinating and detailed account of life at the English court over the past five centuries. Tinniswood explores the lives of clerks, courtiers, clowns, and crowned heads, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of those who lived and worked in the royal household.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the way in which Tinniswood highlights the similarities and differences between the royal families of different eras. For example, he notes that the royal households of the Tudor and Stuart periods were characterized by strict hierarchies and strict rules, while the Georgian and Victorian periods were more relaxed and informal.

Tinniswood also provides a wealth of information about the social and political context in which the royal families lived. He discusses the role of the monarchy in shaping British society and culture, as well as the challenges and controversies that have surrounded the royal family over the years.

Overall, "Behind the Throne" is a must-read for anyone interested in British royalty and history. Tinniswood's book provides a detailed and insightful account of life behind the throne, offering a glimpse into the lives of the royal families and the people who worked for them.

\n Weight: 1268g\n
Dimension: 236 x 184 x 35 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781910702826\n \n