England holds the unique position as the cradle of modern democratic parliamentary government while simultaneously retaining one of the world's longest-running monarchies. The Kings & Queens of England offers a concise and penetrating review of not only the lives and personalities of the monarchs but also the impact and ramifications of their reign on England and the world. Strong and weak, young and old, cruel and tolerant, successful and failed, and the multiple combinations thereof, the story of England's kings and queens is a rich tapestry of history, reflecting a nation that has commanded the world's attention for over 1,000 years.