Uncrowned: Royal Heirs Who Didn't Take the Throne

The line of succession to the English throne has been determined by blood for centuries, with some heirs apparent failing to complete their journey to the crown. Ashley Mantle explores the lives of these individuals, including Robert Curthose, Edward V, Lady Jane Grey, and Sophia, Electress of Hanover, and examines the nature of rule and how heirs were groomed for their ascent.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The English throne has been predominantly determined by bloodline throughout history. Children were born into their destined roles, their futures intertwined with the destiny of the nation. They were raised with the expectation that they would eventually ascend to the throne and rule the land. However, not all those who were expected to wear the crown completed this journey.

Ashley Mantle delves into the lives of several heirs apparent, spanning from the Norman Conquest to the present day, who were destined to assume the throne of England but for various reasons did not. Among these figures are Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, whose incompetence led to his being barred from the crown twice; Edward V, whose disappearance in 1483 remains a mystery to this day; Lady Jane Grey, the tragic Nine Days Queen; and Sophia, Electress of Hanover, who passed away just months before her accession.

Throughout this exploration, we will examine the nature of rule to understand what was expected of an heir and how they were groomed for their ascent. We will also explore how the rules surrounding the succession have evolved over centuries.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 166 x 245 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445696478