Charles Carlton (1941–2015)

Short snippets of history surrounding the lovers of British rulers, from the Saxon kings (when St. Jerome declared, "nothing is more vile to love a wife like a mistress") to the children of Queen Elizabeth II. Gossipy, not particularly focused, and not especially accurate, I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone.

A collection of articles on the English state chiefly in the Tudor period, though on article is on Charles II and another goes down to recent times. I bought it for the Jones article on accusations of a Catholic magical plot against Elizabeth I that led to the passing of the Witchcraft Act of 1563, since it was found there was no current law against what the Catholics were (allegedly) doing. Hpwever, other articles are interesting, including on one on courtly love and Anne Boleyn.

This is an extraordinarily interesting social study of the British civil wars, drawing on a vast amount of first hand sources and accounts. Highly recommended!

A rather academic history of Charles I, not a 'pop History' book by any means, but it's got some interesting insights. I must finish it one day.