Behind the Throne. Key people in England during the period of absolute monarchy (886-1688) - Chris Sedgwick

This book covers English history from the late ninth century, when England was being unified into a single country, to the late seventeenth century, when it abolished absolute monarchy.

It is focused, not on monarchs or wars, but on the most powerful or creative men and women who were not monarchs (although including some consorts) - from Dunstan of Glastonbury to William Marshal, Robert Grosseteste to Robert Hooke, Eleanor of Aquitaine to Philippa of Hainault, Simon de Montfort to John Lilburne.

At the start of this period, there was an unwritten and variable justice system (including trial by ordeal), a peripatetic government without efficient administration, laws promulgated by royal charters, and a mindset which believed everything bad was caused by divine retribution for sinfulness.

By the end of this period, there was a codified evidence-based legal system, relatively effective administration, parliamentary control of legislation and a widespread acceptance that government should be representative rather than autocratic. There was rapidly rising literacy, a developing economy, and the start of a scientific approach to solving problems and gaining knowledge. These developments were invariably conceived, initiated and implemented by people 'behind the throne'.