Hampton Court has housed centuries of power, royals and politicians pacing its halls, each era taking its turn to shape the palace and the broader confluence of politics. Here, the popular and ‘scrupulous historian’ (Daily Mail) Gareth Russell presents five hundred years of British history as seen through its exquisite doorways.
Hampton Court stands apart from all other great British
palaces. In this rich history, Russell tours the great house’s
tumultuous history. Architecturally breath-taking and rich
in splendid art and décor, the Palace has been the stage of
some of the most important events in British history. This is a
story that begins with Cardinal Wolsey and the Reformation,
with Henry VIII and his wives who lived and died within the
palace’s walls. It moves through the challenges of ‘Bloody’
Mary Tudor, the commissioning of King James’s version of the
Bible, the staging of many of Shakespeare’s plays, and Queen
Elizabeth II’s coronation ball.
Fascinating and engaging, The Palace takes us into
every room in the castle, revealing the ups and downs of
royal history and revealing what was at play politically,
socially, and economically at the time.
Gareth Russell read Modern History at St Peter’s College at the University of Oxford and completed his postgraduate atQueen’s University, Belfast. He has written for the Sunday Times, Tatler and the Irish News and is the author of two novels set in his native Belfast and several books on royal history. He divides his time between Belfast and New York.
PRAISE FOR DO LET’S HAVE ANOTHER DRINK: -
”'My favourite book of the season…a brief and highly selective biography of the QM…concentrating on good stories at the expense of all the guff …along the way we learn some fascinating facts…You know you want this book, and I know you want it, and if you’re very good Father Christmas might bring it for you” - The Spectator
”'Entertaining …compelling…it explains a lot about this most misunderstood of matriarchs…she put the backbone into a royal family that was floundering when she joined it. And she could be shocking and funny” - The Times
‘A warm, funny, and above all, sympathetic picture of a remarkable woman… Russell’s ‘skimming-stone’ biography has managed to capture both the laughter and the wisdom - I raise a glass to him’ Daily Telegraph, Four star review -
”'Utterly compelling… This drink-infused, deliciously gossipy account of a privileged life is guaranteed to raise the spirits of anyone lucky enough to read it” - Anne Sebba, author of That Woman: The life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
”'Wonderful prose, telling stories that are hilarious and moving by turns. Immensely enjoyable” - Suzannah Lipscomb
”'Utterly glorious” - Emerald Fennell
”'Do Let’s Have Another Drink is a joyful corrective. A triumph” - Owen Emmerson, co-author of The Boleyns of Hever Castle
”'I absolutely adored this book! It’s wonderful” - Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author
”'Gareth Russell brings the Queen Mother’s humanity, courage and spirit to life… a compulsive read” - Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Showrunner Truth Be Told (Apple TV+)
