I really enjoyed this, despite most of the information was something I knew before especially up to Tudors so there wasn't much new info there for me. But once Tudors were passed, I learnt a small amount of things that I didn't know before. Though I don't mind being told the same information mutiple times regarding my special interest (the period of history that starts with Plantagenets and ends with the Tudors, though I have been exploring history fiction and non fiction that don't fit this parameter this year, which have been interesting. But I don't know the later periods by heart as do the medieval ages). I mean, I've read certain peoples stories, both non fiction and fiction mutiple times in different books. Like I've read the an authors interpretation of someone like Anne Boleyn life mutiple times and never got bored. And I'll happy read more in the future. Mortal Monarchs: 1000 Years of Royal Deaths by Suzie Edge is a chronological exploration of the deaths of the Kings and Queens of Scotland and England. I first heard about it on one of my favourite podcasts, Betwixt the Sheets by the brilliant Kate Lister and was drawn in by the promise of guts and gore. Happily, it really delivered. From the "bloody" fascinating story behind Oliver Cromwell's demise and the subsequent treatment of his corpse and whether the arrow William II caught in the chest was an accident or murder, to Henry IV's remarkable skin condition and the red-hot poker up Edward II's rear end, Mortal Monarchs captivates, grosses-out, and informs. In each new weekly episode, Charlie and his friendly experts....(ie REAL historians)...learn all about one of our Kings or Queens and ask searching questions like: Willy Willy Harry Stee..........actually, we'll stop there for this episode. The lady in question was Queen, but only for 9 days and apart from a small apologetic addendum at the end of some versions of the rhyme, Lady Jane Grey doesn't get a mention.

Mortal Monarchs by Suzie Edge | Hachette UK

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They say a week is a long time in politics. Well, it's nothing compared to 9 days in the Monarchy and as Charlie Higson discovers, her tale is a tragic one. She didn't even want to be Queen! From the "bloody" fascinating story behind Oliver Cromwell's demise and the subsequent treatment of his corpse and whether the arrow William II caught in the chest was an accident or murder, to Henry IV's remarkable skin condition and the red-hot poker up Edward II's rear end, Mortal Monarchs captivates, grosses-out and informs.

Mortal Monarchs by Suzie Edge | Waterstones

Henry VIII gets a second episode in which Charlie Higson tells the story of Katherine, Anne, Jane, Anne, Catherine and Katherine. The Six Wives of Henry VIII. And interestingly, I took from this the point that the reported death of each is what the chroniclers WANTED us to think about both the deaths and the lives of the people who ruled us. Those who weren't liked were, coincidentally, historically remembered for grisly or morally 'just' deaths:From the bloody fascinating story behind Oliver Cromwell's demise and the subsequent treatment of his corpse and whether the arrow William II caught in the chest was an accident or murder, to Henry IV's remarkable skin condition and the red-hot poker up Edward II's rear end, Mortal Monarchs captivates, grosses-out and informs. If that's all you know about the most famous of all our Kings, then listen on as Charlie Higson uncovers Henry's life in the first part of a story that is so epic, it requires.....well......two parts! The pathology side of this book is very strong. Piecing together all the clues about how how a king who lived centuries ago died made the book compulsively readable. There's some great detective work in here and I learnt a lot. We take the "George III had porphyria" theory for granted nowadays, but Dr Edge makes some really good points challenging it. I should probably give a word of warning - if you have a weak stomach or are particularly sensitive to your mortality, this probably isn't the book for you. It does, however, provide a fascinating insight into death mechanisms through the centuries. Published mere days before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the book is, of course, already requiring an update, but c'est la vie. Or c'est la mort, as the case may be.

Mortal Monarchs - by Philippa Brewell - British History Mortal Monarchs - by Philippa Brewell - British History

This book was interesting at times, and did commit the cardinal historical sin of speculating on specific medical causes of death, but was enjoyable overall.

Summary

The Monarchy is a hot topic. Willy Willy Harry Stee from Charlie Higson may be your royal podcast of choice, but David Mitchell wants you to buy his book, which takes the story of the English Monarchy up Elizabeth 1st. Dr Suzie Edge joins Philippa to talk about how how the body reacts to the execution methods which we hear about so often in British History. It's not all pain and punishment though as I ask Suzie about the so-called, treatments like bloodletting and shaving the head, why these were thought to help, and the actual effect they had. #history #medical #britishhistory . So you've done it. You're the King......or the Queen.....you are the supreme ruler.....the big cheese......so surely you're not likely to die like those normal people are you?