Rebellion: the History of England from James I to the Glorious Revolution

Rebellion: the History of England from James I to the Glorious Revolution

By Peter Ackroyd
502 pages

The book follows the history of England from 1603 to 1688. This time frame included the reign of Oliver Cromwell. I enjoyed the book, however the author, at times, quoted profane and vulgar stories which was not appreciated by the reader. 

After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England by Leanda de Lisle

After Elizabeth by Leanda de Lisle --334 pages

This book describes the fragile state of affairs at the end of Elizabeth I's life. Unpopular by the end of her reign because of corrupt monopolies and economic downturn, Elizabeth had also refused to name an heir. In an atmosphere of religious intolerance and fears of foreign intervention, a faction of the nobility quickly invited James VI of Scotland south to reign as James I. The author details James' procession through his new kingdom and the strain it put on those who hosted his retinue. The trepidation of the English toward their new monarch foreshadows their eventual disenchantment with the Stuart dynasty.  This is an insightful book on an eventful historical period.