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Courtiers

The Secret History of the Georgian Court

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Courtiers

By: Lucy Worsley
Narrated by: Lucy Worsley
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About this listen

In the eighteenth century, the palace's most elegant assembly room was in fact a bloody battlefield. This was a world of skulduggery, politicking, wigs and beauty-spots, where fans whistled open like flick-knives.

Ambitious and talented people flocked to court of George II and Queen Caroline in search of power and prestige, but Kensington Palace was also a gilded cage. Successful courtiers needed level heads and cold hearts; their secrets were never safe. Among them, a Vice Chamberlain with many vices, a Maid of Honour with a secret marriage, a pushy painter, an alcoholic equerry, a Wild Boy, a penniless poet, a dwarf comedian, two mysterious turbaned Turks and any number of discarded royal mistresses.

An eye-opening portrait of a group of royal servants, Courtiers also throws new light on the dramatic life of George II and Queen Caroline at Kensington Palace.

©2025 Lucy Worsley (P)2025 Faber & Faber 18th Century Europe Great Britain Modern Royalty Funny Heartfelt
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I didn't hesitate to get this book, especially since it is narrated by the author. I was not disappointed. Fabulous.

Lucy's humour and knowledge.

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I enjoyed this look into history from a more personal perspective and the honest admission that some parts were individuals personal view not necessarily the whole truth.

the joy of her reading

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I loved this book - so beautifully written and read. I wish it had gone on to George III and George IV - and therefore lasted many hours longer!!

The reader!

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This book is about some of the lesser known people whose lives intertwined at the British Palace Courts, mainly of the Hanoverian Kings George I and George II. How their behaviours, ambitions, and influence affected the bubble that they inhabited. I thought it fascinating.

Well researched and fascinating

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I was interested to listen to this as I love history, but the narrator wasn't my cup of tea at all and it really spoiled it for me. I know this is a very personal opinion, and many other reviewers have said how much they enjoyed the narration, but I think I'd enjoy this a lot more if I read the actual book.

Couldn't get on with the narrator

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