Do you fancy yourself knowledgeable in the history of
England’s kings and queens? Do you reflect on the reigns of Anglo-Saxon kings
like Ceolwulf of Northumbria, Aethelwulf of Wessex or Aethelred, also of
Wessex? Or do you prefer England’s first kings like Athelstan, Sweyn Forkbeard
or Harthacnut? You were thinking about Henry VIII or Elizabeth I or Bloody Mary,
weren’t you? “Unruly” will subject its readers to an exploration of England’s very
earliest monarchs, one of whom certainly didn’t exist (King Arthur) to others
that may not have actually existed (like Vortigern, Aescwine, Icel and Cerdic)
to those who definitely did exist (like the line of Plantagenets). The history
is bloody, gory, backstabbing and violent, which surprises no one. Also no
surprise? That all of these rulers were a bunch of long-ago lucky people trying
to rule a piece of the world where lines of conquer battled back-and-forth as
each ruler vied for the most glory. The rulers were feared for good reason
(lots of executions), but they’re a bunch of narcissists who display terrible
self-control, engage heavily in uncivil wars and pretty much declare themselves
divine. It’s a mess, and Mitchell isn’t letting England off the hook for any of
it!
Ridiculous
history at its most regal! So opulent, so refined. Okay, mostly it’s bloody and
violent with more than one king battling the runs before succumbing to
dysentery. There is no king or (rare) queen that you want to root for. From the
perspective of someone who’s not English (or British/Welsh/etc.) and is
certainly no monarchist, this nonfiction novel is wildly amusing, cleverly
written, irreverently glorious and knife sharp. Mitchell, an actor and
comedian, is also, clearly, a skilled historian. Far from boring, Mitchell
takes this vast swath of brutal history and makes it entertaining and
laugh-out-loud funny even as it’s steeped in deep, historical knowledge. I
mean, how can you not be drawn in by lines like, “Apart from seizing the throne
and having his nephews murdered, Richard seems comparatively nice” (p. 340)?
Mitchell breathes freshness into what might otherwise be dusty, super dated
history with jocularity and erudition. It truly is a funny book that takes
history seriously.
P.S. I took
many notes, too many to post, even in the Comments section. I would happily own
this book (*library checkout*).
P.P.S. “Unruly”
ends with Elizabeth I’s reign in 1603. Mitchell has covered England’s medieval
history. There’s been plenty of history between then and 2023, meaning I’d love
a sequel. However, he says in the last couple pages, “...kings and queens
become less dominant after 1603 – not immediately, but relatively swiftly. This
book is about rulers and, by covering them, the political story of the age is
more or less told.” (p. 402) So, perhaps I won’t hold out too much hope for a
sequel.
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