As you might expect, the length of time between some of the deaths and the present day is such that the details are vague, but Edge does an impressive job of weaving together contemporary accounts to provide stories likely to at least resemble the experiences of the dying monarchs and those around them. In other cases (notably Richard III, King of the Carpark), despite the passage of time, vivid detail is possible as a result of new technology. In this bonus episode, Charlie Higson welcomes Dr Suzie Edge, author of 'Mortal Monarchs - 1,000 Years of Royal Deaths' and 'Vital Organs - The History of the Worlds Most Famous Body Parts' to talk about her work studying the ways Monarchs died. 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: 1000 Years of Royal Deaths | Goldsboro Books

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! 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? Assisting him on this tumultuous voyage is the husband and wife historical tag-team of Julia Fox & John Guy, authors of Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage that Shook Europe. 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. Absolutely fabulous read. With a witty and educational approach, Dr. Suzie Edge walks the reader through the life and death of each British monarch from William the Conqueror to King George VI (this was published just before Elizabeth's passing).Suzie Edge trained as a molecular cell biologist before moving to clinical medicine, to spend more time talking to people, rather than just bugs in test tubes. She went on to work as a junior doctor in a variety of medical specialties including infectious diseases, haematology, and trauma and orthopaedic surgery. She recently completed an MLitt in Modern History to feed her fascination for the history of the human body and the history of medicine. 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.

Mortal Monarchs By Suzie Edge | Used | 9781472294227 - Wob Mortal Monarchs By Suzie Edge | Used | 9781472294227 - Wob

In Mortal Monarchs, Edge uses the surviving evidence and her expertise as a medical historian to bring to life the dying days of the nation's monarchs. The details are intersting and also satisfyingly gruesome, looking not only at the probable causes of death, but also at how the deaths were presented, and what that presentation was intended to say about each monarch's rule.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. This was absolutely fascinating stuff. Sequential look at every monarch (and occasional spouses/family members when appropriate) we've had in England since 1066 and a VERY graphic description of their (likely) death.