PMJ scoops writer and comedian Mitchell’s history of England’s Kings and Queens

Penguin Michael Joseph has scooped writer and comedian David Mitchell’s Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens. 

Publisher Jillian Taylor acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Ivan Mulcahy at MMB Creative. Penguin Michael Joseph will publish on 28th September 2023.  

Unruly tells the founding story of post-Roman England right up to the reign of Elizabeth I as the monarchy began to lose its power. The publisher said: “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 by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed King.” 

Mitchell said: “In this country, we spend a lot of time talking and thinking about the royals. We have strong feelings about monarchy. Some love it, some hate it, some are bewildered that it retains so much of our attention. The story of where this came from and how it developed such a vice-like grip on our sense of identity is weird, comic, unfair and action-packed. I’ve hugely enjoyed writing about it and hope that it’s also enjoyable to read.” 

Taylor added: “We are thrilled to have David Mitchell joining Penguin Michael Joseph following one of the year’s most competitive auctions. In this fascinating and deeply funny history he tells the story of the fathers and mothers of England, and subsequently Britain. And he does so brilliantly. Accessible, entertaining and nimbly erudite, offering unique insight alongside quips worthy of A J P Taylor, this is English history brought vividly to relevance, told with a storytelling flair perhaps last seen in Macaulay. David’s project is set to bring a whole new readership to the subject while delighting an existing one.”