British history books for children: The Stuarts

Struggle for Power: A Pictorial History 1485-1689

R.J. Unstead

I really appreciate these books by R.J. Unstead. They are full of interesting pictures, and present a range of historical themes from the period in broadly chronological order. These include important individuals and events (e.g. the execution of Charles I the Great Fire of London) but also social history, such as daily life in 17th century London, and the development of the first newspapers.

I don’t usually read these straight through, but find them helpful for providing a bit more depth on a particular person or theme. Roughly 45 pages (or just over half) of this book is devoted to the Stuarts.

There are so many lovely tidbits in this book. I particularly enjoyed the cross-sectional diagrams of the permitted house designs in London after the Great Fire in 1666, and the picture showing James II defiantly hurling the Great Seal into the Thames as he fled from the Glorious Revolution.

Emerging Empire: A Pictorial History 1689-1763

R.J. Unstead

The Stuarts from the Glorious Revolution onwards are covered in this volume of Unstead, though really only in the early part of the book. There are some interesting pages on the Churchills and the Battle of Blenheim, themes not often covered in children’s books.

Only the first quarter of the book covers the reigns of William and Mary, and Queen Anne, before moving on to the House of Hanover.

People in History: Great Tudors and Stuarts

R.J. Unstead

Another book by Unstead, this time from his series on People in History. From the Stuart period, this book covers Priscilla Mullins (the Mayflower), the Great Montrose, Samuel Pepys, John and Sarah Churchill, and Lady Nithsdale. I was absolutely delighted to find a short biography of Lady Nithsdale included. Lord Nithsdale was captured during the Fifteen, and imprisoned in the Tower of London on a charge of high treason. Lady Nithsdale managed to rescue him from the Tower on the eve of his execution, by disguising him as her maid. Well worth a read!

The Slimy Stuarts

Terry Deary

A more light-hearted overview of the Stuarts than Unstead! Lots of historical information, but plenty of gory stories along the way. This is a good choice for children to read to themselves, though perhaps not for the squeamish.

The Children of the New Forest

Captain Marryat

This classic fictional story follows the lives of four orphaned children whose father has been killed fighting for King Charles. There is quite a bit of learning to farm and live of the land, and also, especially as the book progresses, plenty of connection to the wider historic context of the 1650s. The protagonist, Edward Beverley, starts out ardently opposed to all Roundheads, and comes to realise as the book progresses that things are not as clear cut as he first thought. I think this is a helpful book for understanding both sides of the Civil Wars.

Hunt Royal

David Scott Daniell

A work of historic fiction covering the flight of the future king Charles II from the Battle of Worcester. Although the book is fictional, there is a lot of historic detail in it. This is the best children’s book I have found covering this interesting event in British history. A good one to read after The Children of the New Forest or after visiting one of the places where Prince Charles hid, such as Moseley Old Hall.

Cromwell (Film, 1970)

Yes, there are some historical inaccuracies, and some gore, but overall I think this film really helps children to understand some of the key events of the Civil Wars. It is easy enough to read up on the inaccuracies online, and mention them as you go along. For example, the Lords and Commons sit in two separate houses at Parliament, and Cromwell’s son Oliver is thought to have died of smallpox, not at Naseby.

I recommend previewing the film. There are three scenes which I skipped and just described: the man coming into church having had his ears cut off, the execution of Charles I, and the hanging of an army officer.

The Gunpowder Plot (National Archives Unclassified)

Nick Hunter

I like this series from the National Archives. This one covers the events of the Gunpowder Plot quite thoroughly, and I especially appreciate the inclusion of many historic documents and pictures, which bring the events to life. In this book, I was particularly struck by the photographs of Guido Fawkes’ signature before and after interrogation. On the same page there is also a document listing the questions James I personally prepared to be asked during the interrogation.

The Great Fire of London (Usborne Young Reading)

Susanna Davidson

An easier read, but still lots of excellent information in this book. I particularly liked the map on the end page showing the spread of the fire from day to day.

Children of Winter

Berlie Doherty

A historic fiction book about three children living through the plague in Derbyshire, probably Eyam. They are sent away to live in a barn outside the village to protect them from the plague. A quick read, this is quite a good story but not a personal favourite. This would be a good choice alongside a visit to Eyam.

The Story of Charles II (Ladybird)

L. Du Garde Peche

A thorough account of the life of Charles II from the Ladybird series, with watercolour illustrations on every double page spread. Charles II led an eventful life in an eventful time period, and this book is an excellent choice if you are looking for a short and exciting overview of these famous years. The book covers Charles’ escape from the Battle of Worcester, including the ‘royal oak’, the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the plague, the Great Fire, and the rebuilding of London. There is some discussion of Samuel Pepys (for more, see below), and Christopher Wren, including both St Paul’s and the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

The book is decidedly pro-Charles from the first page (‘Although he was the rightful King of England, Charles II was not in a position to rule the country’) to the last (‘As he was quick-witted and amusing, as well as clever’). I enjoyed reading this alongside Our Island Story which takes a more disapproving tone to Charles II!

Samuel Pepys (Ladybird)

Nicholas Abbott

An excellent book from the Ladybird series, bringing to life the diaries of Samuel Pepys. There were some wonderful details. I had not realised the Pepys went on the ship (The Naseby) which fetched Charles II back to England, or that its name was changed to Charles on the return! There is quite a lot about the king’s coronation, but only a couple of pages each about the plague and the Great Fire.

Isaac Newton and his Apple

Kjartan Poskitt

One of my children absolutely loves the Murderous Maths series by this author, and this book is also extremely popular in our house! Written in a humourous style with cartoon pictures, but there is lots of maths and science in here.

Mary of Orange: At the Mercy of Kings

Linda Finlayson

This is a Christian biography of Mary of Orange from the Trailblazers series. As the title suggests, Mary was for much of her life subject to the decisions of her male relatives, whether for good or ill. This is quite a detailed book on the tumultuous events of this period, given from her perspective, so definitely a pro-Protestant angle. There are some sad sections. In particular, during her childhood, Mary and her father do not see eye to eye. Later on, Mary suffers a miscarriage.