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Killing Monarchs (Hardback)

Regicide in the Tudor and Stuart Age

P&S History > British History > Tudors & Stuarts P&S History > By Century > 16th Century P&S History > By Century > 17th Century P&S History > Reference P&S History > Royal History P&S History > Social History World History > Europe World History > UK & Ireland > England > London

By Richard Heath
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 248
Illustrations: 30 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036105310
Published: 19th September 2025

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Rulers (and would-be rulers) have always faced the possibility of a violent death. Between the seventh and eighteenth centuries over 20% of all British and European monarchs suffered such a fate. Some died in battle or in accidents but most of them were murdered or executed.

During the time of the Tudors and Stuarts some monarchs were the victims of lone assassins, some were killed after palace coups led by relatives or royal officials, and others after being defeated in a civil war. Their manner of death included public beheading, internal injury as a result of a knife attack, being hacked down by a group of noblemen, and ritual strangulation with a silk cord.

Killing Monarchs takes us on a journey across Europe. Starting in England and Scotland (Lady Jane Grey and Mary Queen of Scots), it moves to France (Kings Henry III and Henry IV), and then further east to Russia (Tsar Feodor II and various pretenders to the throne) and the Ottoman Empire (Sultans Osman II and Ibrahim I). It then returns to Britain to consider why Charles I was executed.

It provides a clear picture of the various forces that existed in society at the time and these are reflected in the motives of the regicides - the killers of monarchs – even though many were not honest about them. The lust for power, the desire for a more effective leader, religious differences, and occasionally the wish to do away with monarchy altogether, all played a significant role.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Whilst it seems quite large, the book felt quick and was a very interesting read. I loved learning about the regicide in all these different time periods and places across the world. I felt very well researched and was very informative. Richard Heath has done a very good job with this.

NetGalley, Blaise Henderson

Killing Monarchs is a compelling and meticulously researched exploration of regicide during the Tudor and Stuart periods. Richard Heath delves into the turbulent political landscapes of 16th- and 17th-century Europe, examining the motivations and circumstances surrounding the assassinations and executions of monarchs. The narrative spans across England, France, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, providing a comprehensive view of the era's political intrigue and power struggles.
Heath's writing is engaging and accessible, making complex historical events understandable for a broad audience. The book is well-organized, with each chapter focusing on a different monarch or event, allowing readers to easily follow the historical timeline. The inclusion of various case studies, such as the executions of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Charles I, adds depth and context to the discussion... Overall, Killing Monarchs is an informative and thought-provoking read that sheds light on a darker aspect of European history. It's a must-read for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the complex interplay of power, politics, and violence in shaping the course of nations.

NetGalley, Moira Frederickson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read this within a few hours…it’s really good book on history about what stuff was committed against famous royals in history. I enjoyed reading this but I’m just an oddball person who enjoys historical facts about famous figures and their life’s.

NetGalley, Amber Ward

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is an amazing book detailing regicide, which, frankly, I would have thought would be at a higher rate at 22%. I would actually love a further breakdown more by each century. I think the numbers would be crazy high for some of them.

I learned so much about the different royals in this book. I definitely don't read up on royal history all the time (although I occasionally do follow the Megan and Kate drama). So there was tons here I had never learned about.

Definitely would recommend!

NetGalley, Rebecca Stewart

About Richard Heath

Richard Heath is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and enjoyed teaching history for thirty-five years. His life-long interest in the sixteenth century and the Renaissance was ignited by exploring many historic buildings in Britain and visiting Florence in his youth. He has since read extensively and travelled widely in Europe, often following in the footsteps of Emperor Charles V. His study of the life and times of the emperor, Charles V: Duty and Dynasty, was published in 2018 and he curates www.emperorcharlesv.com.

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