Unruly; The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens

Unruly – A Wildly Entertaining History of England’s Monarchs

An instant #1 Sunday Times bestseller, Unruly is a riotous journey through England’s kings and queens—from Arthur to Elizabeth I—told with wit, irreverence, and an alarming number of beheadings by award-winning comedian and actor David Mitchell.

Think you know the rulers of England? Think again.

Mitchell pulls back the curtain on the country’s early monarchs, revealing them not as noble visionaries but as a motley crew of lucky opportunists, narcissists, and questionable decision-makers. From the possibly mythical King Arthur (spoiler: he likely never existed) to Elizabeth I (spoiler: she eventually dies), this is history as you’ve never heard it before—packed with power struggles, civil wars, political blunders, and the occasional unfortunate name (looking at you, Cnut).

With his signature blend of sharp humor and historical insight, Mitchell examines how England’s rulers evolved from violent thugs with the biggest armies to divine-right monarchs who demanded taxes and obedience. More importantly, he asks: why does any of this still matter today?

Hilarious yet deeply researched, Unruly is a must-read for anyone curious about how the British monarchy came to be—and who we should blame for it.