After recently binge-viewing the much anticipated Season 5 of The Crown on Netflix, I was motivated to learn more about the history of British royalty. Crown & Sceptre, published in 2021, was perfect for this purpose. Each monarch gets a 2-10 page treatment, depending on the length of their reign and the significance of events. Beginning with an Introduction that discusses what is known of ancient Anglo-Saxon kings such as Egbert, Ethelwulf, Alfred, and Edward the Confessor, from the fifth century until the arrival of the Normans in 1066, we learn of the very beginnings of the practices, rituals, and beliefs underpinning monarchy.

A useful chart is found after the Table of Contents, that provides a basic genealogy of English kings and queens. I referred to it frequently during my reading. The contents is broken down by each major House, such as the Normans, Plantagenets, Lancaster and York, Tudors, Stuarts, Hanover, and finally, Windsors. It was helpful to understand the genesis of the Anglican, or Church of England during Henry VIII’s reign, the evolution of rules of succession, and the gradual reduction of monarchical governing power following the English Civil War, and subsequent Parliaments. Also of interest was the changing nature of the relationships between England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, and the later development of the Commonwealth countries of India, Australia, Canada, and others. Of course, the American Revolution and formation of the United States receives brief attention as well.

The book was completed before Elizabeth II’s death, and the assumption of Charles to the throne. Borman discusses the modern role of media, and whether the lack of mystery will cause British citizens to decide that monarchy is an anachronism they can no longer afford and is no longer part of their national identity. British royalty has outlasted nearly every other royalty in the world, mainly through their willingness to change as required by the people governed, and their ethics of service and national identity. It remains to be seen whether that is still needed and desired by the citizens of our time. Recommended.