For those interested on getting a good base of knowledge on the history of England and it's royals, this is a gripping little read. It profiles the Plantagenet dynasty which was established after the conquest of 1066 and ruled England for four hundred years until the Tudors replaced them after the horrors (and intrigues) of the Wars of the Roses. Many of these historical figures are household names; King (Prince) John who gave us the Magna Carta; his older brother Richard (the Lionhearted) who didn't speak a word of English, and the list goes on right on up through those made famous by the Bard. What's wonderful about this book is it draws portraits of the men enabling us to place them chronologically and distinct from one another; as these many Kings share just a few first names and just one last name I've always had difficulty distinguishing them! A fun read and a great starting place for those interested in British history.