First published in 1791, The History of England is a refreshingly witty, classic account of England's royal reigns from Henry IV through to Charles I. Written by Jane Austen aged 15, this is a topic she studied when she was a child.
In this mischievous satire on school history books, Austen's delightful juvinilia highlights her dry wit and advanced talent for writing. The History of England gives a humorous account of the country's well-known kings and queens, and is complete with Austen's original spelling quirks.
Describing herself as a 'partial, prejudiced and ignorant historian', Austen uses a light-hearted tone to parody the dry history books popularly seen in schools. This lively book mocks historians with outrageous characters and deliciously naughty intelligence.
This satirical volume's contents includes:
- Henry the 4th
- Henry the 5th
- Henry the 6th
- Edward the 4th
- Edward the 5th
- Richard the 3rd
- Henry the 7th
- Henry the 8th
- Edward the 6th
- Mary
- Elizabeth
- James the 1st
- Charles the 1st
Proudly republished by Read & Co. Books, this classic treasure is a must-read for collectors of Austen's work and fans of English history.

Portrait

Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English author born in Hampshire, England. She's best-known for her novels in which she critiques 18th century society and displays her characteristically sharp wit. Austen's most famous works include Sense and Sensibility, 1811, Pride and Prejudice, 1813, and Emma, 1816. Although her works have now been translated and printed in editions across the globe, Austen was relatively unknown during her lifetime, publishing her novels anonymously.