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Courtiers

The Secret History of the Georgian Court

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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 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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Lucy Worsley. I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much. Absolutely fascinating facts. Janet from Kent

Courtiers

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As always Lucy give vivid pictures of courtly life. The changes in centuries are seamlessly written and read leaving the listener wanting more.
A favourite of mine and never disappoints.

Informative

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This book had me hooked…..Lucy Worsley, has the listeners feeling they are actually there watching. I personally would listen to her reading the yellow pages, and hang on to every word…I would have over looked this book, if I hadn’t seen her name. Superb !

The telling of it.

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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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