Wildfire lands 'humorous deep-dive' into royal deaths throughout history by Edge

Wildfire has landed a "humorous deep-dive" into the deaths of the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland by medical historian and TikTok star Suzie Edge. 

Philip Connor, senior commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Mortal Monarchs: 1000 Years of Royal Deaths from Emily Glenister at DHH Literary Agency. The book will be published on 29th September 2022.

The publisher said: "Featuring original medical research, Suzie reveals that how monarchs met their end has been a wonderful mixture of violence, infections, overindulgence and occasional regicide. Mortal Monarchs uncover the plots, accusations, rivalries and ever-present threat of poison that the kings and queens of old faced. From whether the arrow William II caught in the chest was an accident or murder, to Henry IV's remarkable skin condition and the red-hot poker up Edward II's rear end, Mortal Monarchs captivates, grosses-out and informs."

Connor said: "I’m delighted to make this book my first acquisition for Wildfire. Suzie is exactly the sort of author who I hoped to work with when I joined the company. I know readers will love her knack of making history approachable and entertaining, and will enjoy her writing at least as much as her videos. With her unique background as both doctor and historian, Suzie is the perfect author for the topic and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to the Wildfire family."

Edge added: "With over 40 monarchs of England, looking back to 1066, it has been wonderful to take a deep-dive into the blue blood and guts of a thousand years of royal deaths. Better put some rubber gloves on! Monarchs are, after all, as mortal as the rest of us and the detailed stories of their final days mirror the lives and deaths of our own ancestors. It’s all there, from violence and trauma, to poisoning and infections, heart disease, cancers, old age, regicide and misadventures.

"How the bodies of the monarchs were treated in death has been equally remarkable. There was very little resting in peace for that lot. As a medical doctor and historian, I find it fascinating how we have treated the human body, in life and in death. I am delighted to be working with the team at Wildfire, who have a terrific enthusiasm for this Mortal Monarchs idea of history and medical crossover, and the oft gruesome results."