William III & Mary II: Partners in Revolution (Penguin Monarchs)

Britain's only ever "joint monarchs"

William III (1689-1702) & Mary II (1689-94) changed the course of the entire country's history, coming to power through a coup (which involved Mary betraying her own father), reestablishing parliament on a new footing, and, through commiting Britain to fighting France, initiating an immensely long period of warfare and colonial expansion. Jonathan Keates' wonderful book makes both monarchs vivid, the cold, shrewd "Dutch" William and the shortlived Mary, whose life and death inspired Purcell to write some of his greatest music.