A comprehensive guide to over 1000 years of monarchy in the British Isles, this book offers insights into the history and development of the royal dynasties. It explores the lives of kings, queens, princes, princesses and royal pretenders of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.;Blending history and narrative with anecdote, the book looks at royal scandals old and new, and at the mythology which surrounds royalty. It also examines the attendant paraphernalia of royalty - its palaces, ceremonies, customs and rites. It provides coverage of key events such as the Abdication crisis, the Bedchamber crisis, the Wars of the Roses, and royal ceremonies and mythology such as Maundy money, cramp rings, King's Evil and Trooping the Colour. Appendices give genealogical tables and chronological lists of contemporary European sovereigns.