Like his brothers, William, Duke of Clarence, has had his share of romance and intrigue. And when he falls in love with Dorothy Jordan, the notorious Irish comic of the Drury Lane Theatre, gossipmongers are ecstatic, for William is not the only one with a shady past. Dorothy’s notorious offstage life combined with William’s less than decorous behaviour will make great copy for the scandal sheets, while their affair lasts. But everyone is surprised when the casual dalliance develops into a twenty-year marriage in all but name. William’s penchant for living beyond his means ensures that Dorothy can never leave the theatre as her income is a necessity for the couple. This becomes a contentious issue as she wants nothing more than to be a full-time mother

George III, fighting madness and the loss of the American colonies, has a domestic crisis as well. The 17-year-old Prince of Wales, fighting the puritanical decorum of his parents’ court, is about to begin his career of womanizing, gambling and consorting with the King’s political enemies. At the Drury Lane Theatre, the Prince is enchanted by popular actress Mary Robinson in the role of Perdita in A Winter’s Tale. Although she is older, married and a mother, the Prince sets her up as his mistress. Mary has had many adventures, and is not averse to the attentions of the young Prince despite much opposition from those around them. Like most royal scandals however, the affair doesn’t last. George has no notion of fidelity and soon loses interest in her, but she won’t let him escape without a fight. The affair is used to advantage by the King’s political opponents, while the Prince moves on to newer, more flamboyant dalliances, happily anticipating the unbridled indulgence his 21st birthday will permit

Her name was Caroline of Ansbach, a woman taught the cruelties of life at an early age. Refusing to succumb to her stepfather's abominable behavior, she married George Augustus, Prince of Hanover--the man next in line to be King. With the dream of someday being Queen to sustain her, Caroline lived a life of danger and quiet desperation, as she yearned for her native Germany, as she steered a dangerous course between the King, her father-in-law, and her husband, as she quietly prepared herself for the glorious future that lay ahead if only she could play the dangerous game

Although the young widow Maria Fitzherbert is a commoner and a Catholic, her dashing suitor is none other than the Prince of Wales, whose unquestioned royal duty is to marry a Protestant Princess. In an age well accustomed to royal mistresses, Maria is as virtuous as she is beautiful. Rather than succumb, she flees to France...only to be irresistibly drawn back to England and into the arms of her Prince—and a passionate relationship that may well cost the Prince his throne. Set against the backgrounds of elegant London and fashionable Brighton, this turbulent, tender story of passion and politics unfolds, with all the great figures of a memorable age playing their appointed roles: The prolifigate playwright Sheridan, the shrewd William Pitt, enchanting Fanny Burney, mad King George III, and frightening Queen Charlotte, who is filled with vindictive hatred toward her rebellious son and his beloved

Young and idealistic, the Prince of Wales develops a deep affection for a beautiful quakeress, Hannah Lightfoot, who catches his eye as he is riding through the streets. A first meeting is arranged, leading to several more, and eventually they discreetly marry in a secluded house where they live as man and wife. She is prepared to betray her beliefs for him, just as he is willing to defy the desires of various courtiers for her. Eventually, his mother’s lover Lord Bute uncovers the affair and Hannah mysteriously disappears. The novel explores the lasting question, did the future George III contradict royal protocol and marry a commoner? Shortly after his affair with Hannah, he becomes King George III. After a potential engagement to Sarah Lennox falls through, he marries Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

True love never ran smoothly for the beautiful Sophia Dorothea, darling of Celle, who first lost her heart to Philip Königsmarck on her seventh birthday. At sixteen, a pawn in seventeenth-century German politics, she was forced into marriage with George Lewis, Crown Prince of Hanover and the future George I of England, who cared only for women and war. Clara von Platen, the uncrowned ruler of Hanover, jealous, ruthless and sexually insatiable, is spurned by Königsmarck when he re-appears in the life of Sophia Dorothea. In revenge, she plans his ruin – and that of the sad princess he so recklessly loves …

When Henry VI becomes king, it is soon clear that he would be better suited to a quiet life than to ruling the country. Richard, Duke of York, is convinced that he would make a better king and has more right to the crown, and he will stop at nothing to claim it. But Margaret of Anjou, Henry's new French wife, is a formidable woman who is just as determined to keep Henry on the throne. Most powerful of all is the Earl of Warwick, the kingmaker, and with his support of Richard of York the War of the Roses begins. When Henry VI lapses into madness and eventually meets his mysterious end in the Wakefield Tower, Margaret directs all of her ambition towards her young son, Passionate and impulsive she begins scheming for him, and in doing so dashes headlong into disaster

The marriage of The Prince of Wales to Caroline of Brunswick was strewn with private skirmish and public scandal, yet it did bear a daughter – Princess Charlotte, heiress presumptive to the English throne. The Regent is still elegant, though moving swiftly into corpulent middle age as his wife Caroline remains determined to shock almost to the point of lunacy. Old George III rambles on into the mists of his madness and stern Queen Charlotte sits at the centre of her web of domestic spies. Beneath them all sparkles Charlotte, much loved by her mother but kept distant by her father and grandmother. Ever bewildered by her bizarre collection of royal relatives, Charlotte grows up to be honest, forthright and always certain of her destiny, though an unfortunate twist of fate means it is never to occur

Reckoned by those about him to be the most handsome man in the country, Edward the fourth has risen to the throne with the help of Warwick, the kingmaker. But even Warwick’s trusted advice cannot convince the King to ignore his passion for the beautiful widow, Elizabeth Woodville – and when she refuses to become his mistress the two are married. Beloved of the people, Edward proves himself to be a strong king, but his love of luxurious living soon begins to impact on his royal duties. Despite his mistresses, Elizabeth is loyal to the illustrious king, providing him with many children, among them Edward the fifth and Richard Duke of York. But Edward lived recklessly and on his death an incident from his past comes to light that will change the course of history

With King George III under lock and key suffering from perceived insanity and the Prince Regent in ill health, all eyes are on the Regent’s pregnant daughter. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happens and both Charlotte and her baby die in childbirth, leaving the age old problem of succession. For though King George III has many children, all are middle-aged and none have legitimate heirs to secure the Hanoverian dynasty. The death of Charlotte causes a sudden enthusiasm for marriage among the sons of George III, as they compete to have children and secure their line of succession. William marries Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen while Edward marries Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Another son, Ernest, is already married and he too hopes to be the one to provide necessary children. King George dies, to be replaced by an ailing George IV, and Edward and Victoria succeed in having a daughter, also named Victoria. She waits patiently to become Queen, avoiding the plots, intrigue and danger that threaten to prevent her reaching maturity

Для своих подданных вернувшийся из вынужденных скитаний король Англии Карл Стюарт Второй - прежде всего Веселый монарх, избавивший страну от пуританского засилья и подаривший ей множество новых развлечений. По легкости и распущенности нравов двор Карла не уступает двору его знаменитого кузена, короля Франции Людовика Четырнадцатого. О любовных похождениях английского короля ходили легенды не только в Лондоне, но и во всей Европе. Но этот незаурядный человек, творивший историю своими руками, умел, когда нужно, быть непреклонным и по-королевски великодушным

Почти два десятилетия провела королева Шотландии Мария Стюарт в плену у соперницы — английской королевы Елизаветы I. Напряженный сюжет романа построен на противостоянии этих двух незаурядных натур. В 1587 году смертная казнь прервала жизнь Марии, полную самых невероятных событий. И, видимо, только одна богиня истории в то время знала, что через 16 лет сын Марии Стюарт под именем Иакова I займет английский трон, на который претендовала его мать

Почти два десятилетия провела королева Шотландии Мария Стюарт в плену у соперницы — английской королевы Елизаветы I. Напряженный сюжет романа построен на противостоянии этих двух незаурядных натур. В 1587 году смертная казнь прервала жизнь Марии, полную самых невероятных событий. И, видимо, только одна богиня истории в то время знала, что через 16 лет сын Марии Стюарт под именем Иакова I займет английский трон, на который претендовала его мать

Коварная легкость, с какой судьба вознесла на вершину земной власти Марию Стюарт, едва ли еще когда-нибудь приводила к такому трагическому завершению. Шести дней от роду — королева Шотландии, в семнадцать лет — королева Франции, она познала все радости триумфа. А в двадцать три года все принесено в жертву пробудившейся всепоглощающей страсти, которая лишила ее короны и свободы (с двадцати четырех лет все оставшиеся годы она проведет в заключении)

Действие романа первой книги дилогии «Любовь у подножия трона» происходит в смутные времена, знакомые читателю по роману А. Дюма «Двадцать лет спустя». Принцесса Генриетта, дочь свергнутого английского короля, с юных лет оказывается при французском дворе. Ее дружба с братом — принцем Уэльским, впоследствии Карлом II, любовь к царствующей во Франции особе и калейдоскоп придворных интриг определяют судьбу юной принцессы, о которой взволнованно и детально повествуется в книге. Герои этой истории, в том числе и королевские особы, смотрят на нас со страниц романа живыми глазами, в которых порой блестят слезы. А принцев в этой книге целых два. «Странствующими принцами» называли юную Генриетту, которую привезли из охваченной восстанием Англии в одежде мальчика, и ее брата, будущего английского короля

Эпоха Тюдоров сменилась эпохой Стюартов. Окружение Якова I становится лакомой приманкой для честолюбивой юной графини Франсис Эссекс. Она соблазняет Роберта Карра, самого очаровательного и могущественного фаворита короля, в надежде стать его женой. Но прежде ей нужно избавиться от нелюбимого мужа. Франсис решает прибегнуть к черной магии и оказывается во власти темных сил