History & Politics: Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government in which a single individual holds all the power in government.

In history, the absolute monarchy was the apex in the pyramid of power and influence. Although the monarch claimed complete autocratic authority by virtue of blood, the monarchy was only fully secured by the presence of a supportive aristocracy and a stable, established church.


If this intrigues you, as it did for us, hop onto the new ambitious series we are introducing called the Penguin Monarchs.


They are biographies of every English monarch from Athelstan (crowned in 924) all the way up to Elizabeth II (1952), charting the shifting balance of power as different dynasties rose and fell from prominence.

Every sovereign gets their own short book (including Oliver Cromwell) packed full of everything you need to know about their life and reign.

Each book will reveal the inner workings of governments, dynasties, royalty, and how the world works.
32 products
  • Charles II (Penguin Monarchs): The Star King by Clare Jackson - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Henry VI (Penguin Monarchs) by James Ross - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward II (Penguin Monarchs): The Terrors of Kingship by Christopher Given-Wilson - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • William IV (Penguin Monarchs): A King at Sea by Roger Knight - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • William II (Penguin Monarchs): The Red King by John Gillingham - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward VII (Penguin Monarchs): The Cosmopolitan King by Richard Davenport-Hines - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Elizabeth II (Penguin Monarchs): The Steadfast by Douglas Hurd - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Richard II (Penguin Monarchs): A Brittle Glory by Laura Ashe - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Henry VIII (Penguin Monarchs): The Quest for Fame by John Guy - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • George I (Penguin Monarchs): The Lucky King by Tim Blanning - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Henry III (Penguin Monarchs): A Simple and God-Fearing King by Stephen Church - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Elizabeth I (Penguin Monarchs): A Study in Insecurity by Helen Castor - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Richard I (Penguin Monarchs): The Crusader King by Thomas Asbridge - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • James I (Penguin Monarchs): The Phoenix King by Thomas Cogswell - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Stephen (Penguin Monarchs): The Reign of Anarchy by Carl Watkins - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • James II (Penguin Monarchs): The Last Catholic King by David Womersley - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • George V (Penguin Monarchs): The Unexpected King by David Cannadine - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • William III & Mary II (Penguin Monarchs): Partners in Revolution by Jonathan Keates - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Oliver Cromwell (Penguin Monarchs): England's Protector by David Horspool - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Mary I (Penguin Monarchs): The Daughter of Time by John Edwards - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward III (Penguin Monarchs): A Heroic Failure by Jonathan Sumption - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward I (Penguin Monarchs): A New King Arthur? by Andy King - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Henry II (Penguin Monarchs): A Prince Among Princes by Richard Barber - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • William I (Penguin Monarchs): England's Conqueror by Marc Morris - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Henry V (Penguin Monarchs): From Playboy Prince to Warrior King by Anne Curry - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward VI (Penguin Monarchs): The Last Boy King by Stephen Alford - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Edward VIII (Penguin Monarchs): The Uncrowned King by Piers Brendon - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Athelstan (Penguin Monarchs): The Making of England by Tom Holland - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Victoria (Penguin Monarchs): Queen, Matriarch, Empress by Jane Ridley - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Cnut (Penguin Monarchs): The North Sea King by Ryan Lavelle - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • Aethelred the Unready (Penguin Monarchs): The Failed King by Richard Abels - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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  • John (Penguin Monarchs): An Evil King? by Nicholas Vincent - Empire Book Store | Authentic Books in Cheap Prices
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