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The Stolen Crown

The Sunday Times-bestselling account of the succession of James I by Tudor expert Tracy Borman OBE

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 THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTELLER - AS FEATURED ON CHANNEL 5'S INSIDE THE TOWER OF LONDON

Succession meets the Tudors in this explosive account of the succession of Elizabeth I from bestselling author Tracy Borman, Chief Historian at Historic Royal Palaces

'COMPELLING AND BRILLIANT' - ALISON WEIR

'Reads like a political thriller' - GARETH RUSSELL, author of Queen James
'Part political thriller . . . A thrilling achievement' - KATE WILLIAMS, author of Rival Queens
'Wonderful . . . like a political thriller' - ELIZABETH NORTON, author of The Lives of Tudor Women

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In March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, lies dying at Richmond Palace. The queen's ministers cluster round her bedside, urging her to name her successor - something she has stubbornly resisted throughout her reign. Almost with her last breath she whispers that James VI of Scotland should succeed her.

Or so we've been led to believe.

But, as enthralling new research shows, this is not what happened. Elizabeth went to her grave without formally naming an heir. The notion of an approved succession from Tudors to Stuarts is little more than an elaborately constructed fiction - a fiction that went on to have devastating consequences. The Stuart regime rapidly descended into turbulence and uncertainty, conspiracy and persecution, witchcraft and gunpowder.

With a combination of rigorous research and brilliant storytelling, The Stolen Crown takes us behind palace doors to reveal the secret history of the Tudor succession.

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The Stolen Crown published as an instant Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller in the w/c 2025-09-08.©2025 Tracy Borman Europe Great Britain Historical Royalty Thought-Provoking England Tudor

Critic reviews

You think you know about the Tudor succession? Think again, because this riveting book reveals the facts behind one of history's best-kept and most astonishing secrets. Tracy Borman has written a powerful tale based on new research, one that will overturn our understanding of the dawn of the Stuart age for good. Compelling and brilliant - don't miss it! (Alison Weir)
So propulsive and moreish and full of dazzling and exciting intel. (Sally Wainwright)
The transition between the Tudor and Stuart dynasties has always appeared to be one of history's done deals, a narrative we've long accepted without question - until now. Tracy Borman's groundbreaking The Stolen Crown obliterates everything we thought we knew about the demise of Gloriana and the dawning of the Stuart era, revealing an astonishingly different story. Powerfully and engagingly written, Tracy Borman takes her readers behind palace doors to uncover the secret history of the Tudor succession. Full of twists, turns, intrigue and deceit, The Stolen Crown has it all in abundance. A superbly crafted narrative that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, this is Borman at her absolute finest - groundbreaking and utterly compelling. (Nicola Tallis)
Part political thriller, pure detailed historical scholarship, this brilliant book explores the transition of power in 1603, bringing to life James I - and a host of beck room characters fighting over the ultimate power - the throne. A thrilling achievement. (Kate Williams)
The twilight of the Tudors reads here like a political thriller. . . This is both a great read and great history. (Gareth Russell)
Wonderful . . . reading like a political thriller, no one will ever look at the accession of James I in the same way again. (Elizabeth Norton)
Astonishingly fresh and revealing. Borman paints a vivid picture of the years that kickstarted Britain's transition from a medieval to a modern monarchy. In the process she explodes one of the favourite fables we as a nation like to tell ourselves - that of an inevitable, unquestioned line of succession to the throne. (Sarah Gristwood)
'The Stolen Crown is a history lover's dream. With enviable style and command, Borman brings the fractious end of the Tudor dynasty vividly to life, and reminds us that the past is by no means dead and buried but a glorious, messy thing that will always demand our attention.' (Anthony Delaney)
Pacy . . . Borman tells the story with panache and urgency. (Alice Hunt)
In this groundbreaking new look at the end of the Tudor Dynasty, Tracy Borman has once again combined her impeccable research and writing to create a compelling and evocative masterpiece. (James Peacock, The Anne Boleyn Society)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved every word of it. Scholarly and entertaining. And some extraordinary revelations. I highly recommend this book!

Brilliant!

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it is always great for history fans to come across a book comprising new research. This book is well worth a listen, and gives insightful new takes on the transfer of the crown from the Tudors to the Stuarts.

Hugely interesting and beautifully narrated.

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I knew all these characters were hanging around, Arbella Stuart etc Even The Grey sisters get a look in. I'm stupid. never to have made the connections. Because James did succeed one thinks it was bound to be so. Similar situation towards the end of the reign of Queen Ann. Very well read by the author, correct emphasis and variation of tone. Added to my favourites.

Fascinating

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Tracy Borman has yet again taken a subject that we all thought we knew and turned it upside down.
Elizabeth was always doubtful of James but she should have made it clear who was her successor immediately after the Essex Rebellion at the latest. She was the ultimate contradiction, a sort of silent Trump, to the extreme so that no-one really knew what she really thought. It probably kept her in place for 45 years and prevented further intense political upheaval but it also shows that she didn’t really trust anyone, except perhaps Burghley. She was clearly affected by her extremely emotional childhood and upbringing so it is no wonder she was ultra cautious once she achieved ultimate power. Marriage was clearly a risk she ultimately couldn’t take and so the succession was forever in doubt. Robert Cecil had to plan for it though and ensure as peaceful a transition as possible to James. Unfortunately the Stuarts came with excessive personal baggage and an increasingly over inflated view of their ‘divine’ power directly from God! Borman presents this fascinating transition with new evidence from Camden but in the end you are left believing the succession of the Stuart’s was always going to be the most likely outcome even though they would ultimately bring the country to a devastating civil war and the setting up of a Republic within 50 years of Elizabeth’s death!
Those interested in Elizabeth and the flawed James ( again a result of a traumatised childhood and early adulthood) should read or listen to this book. Really well told by Borman herself by the way!

After Elizabeth the Stuarts were a disaster!

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The extreme clarity of every aspect of the book, and it's performance, It really is amazing! Thank you to ALL concerned in its production

Tracey Borman's reading of her book

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