David Mitchell writes a history of England's kings and queens

Thursday 11th May 2023, 3:54pm

David Mitchell's new book, due to be published 28th September, will tell the story of the British monarchy
UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens is "a serious book by a very funny man"
The publishers say "UNRULY is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame"

David Mitchell's new book - due to be published in September - will tell the story of the British monarchy.

UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens is described by publishers Michael Joseph as "a serious book by a very funny man", and comes with the marketing line "UNRULY is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame".

The book's blurb explains: "Discover who we are and how we got here by reading comedian and student of history David Mitchell's UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens - a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England, and subsequently Britain.

"Think you know the Kings and Queens of England? Think again.

"In UNRULY, David Mitchell explores how early England's monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects' destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky sods who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear to us today in their portraits.

"Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), David tells the founding story of post-Roman England right up to the reign of Elizabeth I (as the monarchy began to lose its power). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut, as the English evolved from having their crops nicked with menaces by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed King.

"How this happened, who it happened to and why the hell it matters in twenty-first-century Britain are all questions David answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history - and is damned if he'll let it off the hook for the mess it's made of everything."

This will be Mitchell's first book since the 2019 publication of Dishonesty Is The Second-Best Policy: And Other Rules To Live By.

As well as continuing to act as a team captain on Would I Lie To You?, as revealed by BCG on Monday the comedian is also set to host a third series of Dave challenge show Outsiders.

UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens will be released in hardback, audiobook, CD and eBook formats on 28th September. It is available to pre-order now.

David Mitchell - Unruly: A History Of England's Kings And Queens

By David Mitchell

Discover who we are and how we got here by reading comedian and student of history David Mitchell's Unruly: A History Of England's Kings And Queens - a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England, and subsequently Britain.

Think you know the Kings and Queens of England? Think again.

In Unruly: A History Of England's Kings And Queens, David Mitchell explores how early England's monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects' destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky sods who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear to us today in their portraits.

Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), David tells the founding story of post-Roman England right up to the reign of Elizabeth I (as the monarchy began to lose its power). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut, as the English evolved from having their crops nicked with menaces by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed King.

How this happened, who it happened to and why the hell it matters in twenty-first-century Britain are all questions David answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history - and is damned if he'll let it off the hook for the mess it's made of everything.

A serious book by a very funny man, Unruly: A History Of England's Kings And Queens is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame.

First released: Thursday 28th September 2023

Hardback

eBook

Audiobook