The British Monarchy - Royal Politics, Power and Celebrity

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label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Ioana Dinescu
There have been few more powerful or enduring symbols in modern world history than the British crown. Its political power may have waned, but, as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton has demonstrated, it has lost little of its magic. On this course you'll get behind that magic to ask why the crown - and the kings and queens who wore it - have continued to dazzle those both at home and abroad for hundreds of years.With lectures and seminars just minutes from Buckingham Palace itself, we will examine the remarkable lives of sovereigns from James I to the present Queen Elizabeth II.

Focusing on the relationship between the crown and the people, we will investigate how the monarchy has responded to the challenges of rapidly changing politics, society and culture in Britain and the wider world.We will explore London's royal heritage by visiting world famous museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum of London, and the National Portrait Gallery.

We will even watch the changing of the guard, and visit the rooms of state in Buckingham Palace.In the first week, we begin with a biographical overview of monarchs since 1066. In the second, we explore the crown's relationship with politics, the church, and the Empire. In the third, we investigate the Monarchy and hearts and minds: its perception in Britain and overseas, and its relationship with the media.

Period
01-07-2013 - 19-07-2013 (3 weeks)

Target group
This course is designed and taught by a historian but it is of interest to students of many subject backgrounds.



Course aim
By the end of the course you will gain:- A broad knowledge of the British Monarchy since 1603 and its shifting relationship with politics and society.- An appreciation of the social and cultural significance of the monarchy to the British national psyche.- Sharpened written and spoken skills of analysis, argumentation, and expression.

Credits
7.5 ECTS credits

Many of our students get credit for the summer courses taken at Kings. You should approach your home university before applying to find out whether they accept our courses for credit. We would recommend a three-week course to be equivalent 4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, for instance.

Course fee
GBP 1350: tuition fee only

Course leader
Dr Luke Blaxill is passionate about British history. He is particularly interested in helping students confidently express their ideas and arguments, and hopes to bring animation, energy, and humour to the course. He has been teaching history students at

King's College London
Address: Strand, London
Postal code: WC2R 2LS
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/summerschool
E-mail: summerschool@kcl.ac.uk
Phone: +44 20 7848 1533