A reference work covering the lives of all the Kings and Queens of England from the early Saxons to Elizabeth II, this revised edition contains character sketches of each monarch and the principal events of each reign, as well as dates of birth, reign and death, and the place of birth. The way in which kings shaped and were shaped by their own times emerges, as does the gradual change in the role of the monarchy as government by elected parliament evolved. There are special sections highlighting important aspects of British history, such as the Wars of the Roses and the American War of Independence and a study of the present royal residences is also included.