This volume opens with the Norman conquest, William I's bold incursion in 1066 that propelled a new dynasty to the throne of England, and covers three centuries of drama, intrigue, loyalty, betrayal, courage, cowardice, and crime.

About the series A Royal History of England:

From the beginning of monarchical power in Norman times to the present queen, the British royal family has experienced many scandals, triumphs, and changes in public image, but few of their reigns can be described as uneventful. With contributions by specialist authors and contemporary illustrations of royal heraldry and coats of arms, Antonia Fraser has edited a definitive and entertaining history of one of the most powerful monarchies in the world.

Antonia Fraser is editor of the best-selling updated edition of The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England (California, 1999), as well as several other best-selling histories including The Gunpowder Plot. Text by John Gillingham and Peter Earle.