"William Tallon was a creature of extremes: though intensely loyal, he was also a dangerous risk-taker; though charming, he could also be vicious; though considerate and amusing, he could be ruthless and predatory. For much of his life he was driven by two demons: a powerful sex drive and an intense, almost pathological love for the Queen Mother…"From humble beginnings as a shopkeeper's son in Coventry to 'Page of the Backstairs' at Clarence House, William Tallon, or 'Back...

George Orwell once said that the British love a really good murder. He might have added that the only thing the British love more than a good murder is a really good scandal, and best of all are the sexual and political scandals that take place behind the gilded doors of Britain's royal palaces. From Edward II's intimate relationship with Piers Gaveston to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's dramatic exit from the royal family, the royal residences have seen it all.This glorious romp ...

For more than 300 years, Kensington Palace has played host to a colourful cast of kings, queens and assorted aristocratic hangers-on. A stone's throw from the bustling streets of central London, this grand building has served as the stage for some of the most dramatic and bizarre events in the history of the royal family.It was here that the young Queen Victoria was held a virtual prisoner for eighteen years; and it was here that George II installed both his wife and his mistress, ...

When Gerald Grosvenor, sixth Duke of Westminster, died in August 2016 he was one of the world's richest men, his fortune estimated at just under £10 billion.Yet he hated his wealth and spent long periods suffering from severe depression, much of it brought on by a feeling that his whole life had been a failure and that his money had destroyed any chance of happiness. At the same time, he could be ruthless in running the business while often feeling he was only a mascot.Gera...

The must-read memoir from Nancy Jackman, a cook in interwar England. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, DownstairsAn inspirational true story loved by readers:'To read Nancy's story in her own words was an absolute joy. The history, the humour, a perfect read of times gone by.' - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ READER REVIEW'Touching, funny, nostalgic. This book opens a door into a world long ago and is a gem p...

For Alice Keppel, it was all about appearances. Her precepts were those of the English upper classes: discretion, manners and charm. Nothing else mattered - especially when it came to her infamous affair with King Edward VII.As the King's favourite mistress up until his death in 1910, Alice held significant influence at court and over Edward himself. But it wasn't just Edward she courted: throughout her life, Alice enthusiastically embarked on affairs with bankers, MPs, peers - any...

The must-read memoir from Rose Plummer, a maid in interwar London. A proper piece of English history: perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs'I felt like I was getting somewhere that evening. Sitting by the window sipping my tea and eating lovely iced buns, I felt I'd come such a long way from Hoxton. I had some money . . . As I sat there I realised I didn't want to go back to my gloomy room at the top of that old house. I w...

In this lively and colourful history, royal expert Tom Quinn goes behind palace doors to give a compelling glimpse of Britain's royals, ancient and modern. From medieval times, when the Groom of the Stool oversaw the monarch's lavatorial exploits, below-stairs staff have always had a unique insight into the lives of their royal masters.Through the eyes of serving and recently retired staff, we see how today's royals live – including how the relationship between Meghan and Harry and...

A colorful, fascinating look at growing up in the royal family over the centuries, from the Plantagenets and Tudors to the Windsors and Cambridges.For as long as the British royal family has existed, their children have been brought up in ways that seem bizarre and eccentric to the rest of us—the royal family’s obsession with making their children tough and independent as early as possible, often by delegating their parental duties to staff, goes back centuries.

It sounds innocuous compared to war, plague and famine, but flu is actually one of the world's biggest killers. Since the first documented pandemic of an influenza-like disease in 1580, 31 worldwide influenza outbreaks have been recorded, culminating in the pandemic of 1918 that killed an estimated 50 million.This fascinating book explores the havoc caused by the world's most deadly virus - and the destruction left behind in its wake. From its initial identification by the Greek physician ...

Secret Britain is an exploration of the fascinating and beautiful, yet more obscure and less-visited, corners of the country. Landscapes and heritage sites that receive little coverage in more conventional guides are revealed here in all their glory, and there is a diverse range of locations to suit every mood.Travel from the rugged beaches of Cornwall to the ancient burial sites of the Orkney Islands, and in between encounter an enticing mix of wild hills and spectacular c...

The must-read memoir from Bob Sharpe, a butler in interwar London. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs'I remember my first day in the big house. It wasn't a great aristocratic mansion such as Chatsworth or anything like it, but I reckon there were twenty bedrooms, two or three book rooms and endless billiard rooms, drawing rooms and sitting rooms - not to mention all the servants' rooms . . .'An insp...