This Sceptred Isle: The Dynasties, Volume Three: The Churchills, the Cecils, the Dalrymples

The Sceptred Isle provided the definitive radio account of the British nation, from 55BC to the end of the 20th century. Now its attention turns towards the incredibly powerful families which have wielded power behind the scenes for the past 1,000 years. The Dynasties relates how the loyalties of this privileged elite, many of whom are older than the monarchy itself, were tested and rewarded; it also uncovers a multitude of murderous plots, bloody battles, adulteries, intrigues and shocking executions.Of the families examined in the third volume, the Churchills are irrevocably connected with Sir Winston, yet before him came Lord Randolph and the first Duke of Marlborough. The Cecils came to power among the Tudors of the 16th century and continue to influence English public life right up to the present day, whilst the Dalrymples produced some of the most famous legal minds and politicians in Scotland.