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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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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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Brilliantly read by the author, this is a fascinating and engrossing account of fairly unique and flourishing time in late-millennium British upper-class social history.

Fascinatingly told

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liked the story related to actual events. Lucy's knowledge and an engaging way of storytelling captures the reader

authors narration captures the history

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Beautifully read, fascinating history. Lucy Worsley at her best. A must for any history buff

Excellent

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Loved the story and Lucy's narration but noticed a couple of bloopers that referred to the 1900s when it should have been 1700s!

Very interesting but...

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Well researched and perfectly performed. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The description of the people was amusing but never cruel, always empathetic.

Fascinating insights into the behind the scenes folk of Georgian life

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