Wilson explores the curious set of circumstances that led to Victoria's coronation, her strange and isolated childhood, her passionate marriage to Prince Albert and his pivotal influence even after death and her widowhood and subsequent intimate friendship with her Highland servant John Brown, all set against the backdrop of a momentous epoch in Britain's history -- and the world's.

"Includes a wealth of new material from previously unseen sources to show us Queen Victoria as she's never been seen before. Wilson explores the curious set of circumstances that led to Victoria's coronation, her strange and isolated childhood, her passionate marriage to Prince Albert and his pivotal influence even after death, and her widowhood and subsequent intimate friendship with her Highland servant John Brown, all set against the backdrop of this momentous epoch in Britain's history--and the world's"--Dust jacket flap.

Monarchs of the United Kingdom, 1760 to the present day -- Authors -- Zoology -- 'It is one step' -- 'White little slavey' -- 'The ignorant little child' -- 'Too hasty and passionate for me' -- I Puritani -- Hallelujah Chorus -- 'Godlike men' -- At war -- 'Scolder and scolded' -- Nerve damage -- 'Arme Frau' -- 'The Queen's grief still sobs' -- 'I could die for ye' -- 'Mein guter treuer Brown' -- A people detached from their sovereign -- 'You have it, Madam' -- 'Prostrate though devoted' -- 'Gracious confidences so frankly given' -- 'An inflammatory atmosphere ' -- 'You English' -- 'Her excellent young Munshi' -- 'What a funny little woman' -- Diamond Jubilee -- 'This England' -- 'Vale desideratissime!'