From the earliest times, individual monarchs and the institution of monarchy itself have crucially shaped the history of the British Isles. This book uses pictures, maps and an authoritative, readable text to tell their story - from Hengist and Horsa to Queen Victoria, from Brian Boru and Hywel Dda to Mary Queen of Scots, from the British rulers who fought against the Romans, through the Saxon chieftains who carved petty kingdoms and on past the Norman conquest of England, this volume recounts the lives, the times and the achievements of these extraordinary men and women. Covering Ireland, Wales, Scotland as well as England, the book gives a comprehensive account of the history of the islands by focusing on the personalities who had most influence in shaping them. William the Conqueror, Owain Glendower, Macbeth and Henry VIII all take their place in this wide-ranging account.