David Starkey charts the rise of the British monarchy, from the Wars of the Roses through the English Civil War, the Georgians, right up to the monarchs of the 20th century.

Monarchy is an enduring institution that still makes headlines today. It has always been preoccupied with image and perception, never more so than in the period covered by this volume. The collection of papers gathered here from international scholars demonstrates that monarchical image and perception went far beyond cultural, symbolic and courtly display – although these remain important – and were, in fact, always deeply concerned with the practical expression of authority, politics and power. This collection is unique in that it covers the subject from two innovative angles: it not only addresses both kings and queens together, but also both the medieval and early modern periods. Consequently, this allows significant comparisons to be made between male and female monarchy as well as between eras. Such an approach reveals that continuity was arguably more important than change over a span of some five centuries. In removing the traditional gender and chronological barriers that tend to lead to four separate areas of studies for kings and queens in medieval and early modern history, the papers here are free to encompass male and female royal rulers ranging across Europe from the early-thirteenth to the late-seventeenth centuries to examine the image and perception of monarchy in England, Scotland, France, Burgundy, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. Collectively this volume will be of interest to all those studying medieval and early modern monarchy and for those wishing to learn about the connections and differences between the two.

Aus dem Inhalt: E. Fr�zouls: De la maiestas populi Romani � la majest� imp�riale � B. Bedos-Rezak: Ritual in the Royal Chancery: Text, Image, and the Representation of Kingship in Medieval French Diplomas (700-1200) � S. Bagge: Kingship in Medieval Norway. Ideal and Reality � D. Sadler: The King as Subject, the King as Author: Art and Politics of Louis IX � G. Klaniczay: Representations of the Evil Ruler in the Middle Ages � G. Melville: H�rauts et h�ros � M.D. Birnbaum: Matthias Corvinus in Humanist and Popular Perspective � M.S. Flier: The Iconography of Royal Procession: Ivan the Terrible and the Muscovite Palm Sunday Ritual � L. M. Bryant: Politics, Ceremonies, and Embodiments of Majesty in Henry II's France � H. Weber: Das �Toucher Royal� in Frankreich zur Zeit Heinrichs IV. und Ludwigs XIII. � D. J. Sturdy: The Royal Touch in England � A. Wolf: Ein �Comic� fuer den Kaiser � A. Gu�ry: L'Image perdue des Rois de France (XVIIIe-XXe si�cle) � D. E. Barclay: Ritual, Ceremonial, and the �Invention� of a Monarchical Tradition in Nineteenth-Century Prussia.

Dynastic Change: Legitimacy and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Monarchy examines the strategies for change and legitimacy in monarchies in the medieval and early modern eras. Taking a broadly comparative approach, Dynastic Change explores the mechanisms employed as well as theoretical and practical approaches to monarchical legitimisation. The book answers the question of how monarchical families reacted, adjusted or strategised when faced with dynastic crises of various kinds, such as a lack of a male heir or unfitness of a reigning monarch for rule, through the consideration of such themes as the role of royal women, the uses of the arts for representational and propaganda purposes and the impact of religion or popular will. Broad in both chronological and geographical scope, chapters discuss examples from the 9th to the 18th centuries across such places as Morocco, Byzantium, Portugal, Russia and Western Europe, showing readers how cultural, religious and political differences across countries and time periods affected dynastic relations. Bringing together gender, monarchy and dynasticism, the book highlights parallels across time and place, encouraging a new approach to monarchy studies. It is the perfect collection for students and researchers of medieval and early modern monarchy and gender.

The oldest of human institutions, monarchy has been tried in a range of variations through the ages. The absolute power of kings and emperors gave way to constitutional monarchy before losing popularity in the modern age. This compelling guide traces the history of monarchs as early as ancient Egypt, through ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, Early Modern Europe, and the decline of monarchies as more than figureheads in the early twentieth century. Inscriptions, artwork, documents, and more bring color and comprehension to this ancient form of government.