Charles II's succession to the throne came at a time of national turbulence: his father had been beheaded, Oliver Cromwell had usurped his right to reign. England was at sea among Europe's constantly shifting allegiances. But Henry Jermyn, a Suffolk commoner, lover to the queen mother and possibly even father to the king, was there to keep the royal family together. Jermyn's deft way of secretly manipulating government and raising an army almost prevented Civil War. He was instrumental in saving the monarchy and set in motion the rise of the British Empire. A duellist, soldier and spymaster, Jermyn was close to the great men of the 17th century: Francis Bacon (his kinsman), Louis XIV, Cardinal Richelieu, Inigo Jones, Samuel Peypys, Christopher Wren and Thomas Hobbes (whose Leviathan he inspired). The King's Henchman is a story of love, family, regicide, adversity and last-minute escapes, set against the backdrop of bloody Civil War. It is also the remarkable love story of a commoner and a royal who together shared a vision for Britain and created St James's Square and Greenwich Park as its first grand expression.

About the Author
Anthony Adolph wrote the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry of Henry Jermyn and has pieced together his life from primary sources over the past 20 years. A genealogist and historian educated at Durham University, he has written several books on genealogy and presented programs for the BBC and Channel 4. He is a distant relative of Oliver Cromwell and lives in Canterbury.

Reviews
'Enticing - well-written - interesting.' Michael Braddick, TLS 'Energetic and original - A character as flamboyant as Henry Jermyn deserves to be rescued from history, a task that Anthony Adolph relishes - Adolph could hardly have done him more justice - Fascinating.' John Cooper Literary Review 'A rich and heady brew that gallops along at a cracking pace.' 4 stars, Dan Cruickshank Mail on Sunday Review 'Cracking.' A Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Daily Express 'The hidden power behind Charles II's throne.' Spectator Online 'A visual feel for the age and a rare gift for conveying it.' Blair Worden, Spectator 'One of the Britain's leading genealogists.' Sunday Express 'Brilliant.' Gillian Tindall 'A moving love story between a commoner and a royal, as well as a breathtakingly fresh window into the courts of Charles I and Charles II, and the foundation of London's West End.' Fiona Mountain



Book Information
ISBN 9781908096654
Author Anthony Adolph
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Gibson Square Books Ltd
Publisher Gibson Square Books Ltd
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 20mm