About the Book
The dramatic, absolutely outrageous story of Caroline of Brunswick, a beloved icon of the Regency era, who uplifted the voice of the public and unabashedly defied society's expectations, yet was shockingly robbed of her crown, from the host of the Vulgar History podcast.
Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, Princess of Brunswick, was born in the northern German town of Braunschweig. Her mother and father, the duke and duchess, instantly knew one thing: there was something irrefutably untamable about their daughter. She grew up a wild child, sequestered from others to protect her family's reputation--an 18th-century Rapunzel.
She was freed from this gilded cage by an unexpected marriage proposal from George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales and the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. Caroline was entirely unprepared for the backstabbing mean girls of the royal court. Always staying true to herself, she stepped into her role of queen-to-be without compromising her character, showing off her affinity for fashion, her many eccentric hobbies, and ultimately, her infallible spirit, despite being ostracized as an outsider by her in-laws.
And so Caroline became the unlikely figurehead of the anti-monarchists, aided by the just-emerging tabloid press. Yet, despite her status as a revolutionary heroine, Caroline's name faded away following her death. Until now.
For fans of Normal Women, Ann Foster brings us the riveting story of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain's uncrowned queen, through an empowering examination of womanhood and autonomy that feels just as relevant today.
Review :
Praise for Rebel of the Regency
"Fans of Bridgerton, rejoice! Here is the real-life saga of defiant Caroline of Brunswick, forced to battle her nightmare of a husband, England's King George IV, for her legitimate marital rights. Told with verve and deliciously wicked humor by Ann Foster, host of the hit podcast Vulgar History, Rebel of the Regency rescues Queen Caroline from the trivial role consigned to her by the British royal family and puts her back in the spotlight where she belongs."--Nancy Goldstone, author of The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe
"Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster is the perfect biography for readers who want to know the real history - and the real gossip - of the Bridgerton era. It is a readable account of the life of Caroline of Brunswick, the wife of the Regent Prinny, who features in (and gives his name to) so many Regency Romances. Fans of Ann's feminist history comedy podcast Vulgar History will know to expect pop culture references, strong opinions and free association - all underpinned by real research. This book does exactly what I like in a biography: shows the reader why people care about the past, and, with its myriad quirky facts, discussions of lost opportunities and sliding door moments, encourages you to go and find out more. By the end of the book and the final showdown, I was as invested in Caroline's story as the Freelance Mob..."-Jennifer Morag Henderson, author of Daughters of the North
"Bridging past and present with the flair of a Sofia Coppola biopic, Ann Foster offers an engaging and insightful portrait of one of Britain's most overlooked queens. In her capable hands, Caroline of Brunswick--long consigned to the footnotes of royal history--finally receives the recognition she deserves. A must-read for fans of the Regency era and anyone intrigued by the British monarchy's lesser-known dirty laundry lost to history."-Brooke N. Newman, author of The Crown's Silence: The Hidden History of the British Monarchy and Slavery in the Americas "Rebel of the Regency is a riot! Ann Foster's book is astute yet witty and full of verve - not unlike Caroline of Brunswick herself. A bold biography of an entirely unconventional woman."--Leah Redmond Chang, author of Young Queens
"Rebel of the Regency is more binge-worthy than any television period drama! Ann Foster gives us a trailblazing People's Princess, trapped in one of the world's worst marriages and heading for a public showdown that might topple the monarchy. Rendered with wit and warmth, Caroline of Brunswick is unforgettable bold, generous, exasperating, and determined to fight back until the bitter end."--Shelley Puhak, author of the national bestseller The Dark Queens
"An eventful life, told with enthusiasm."--Kirkus
"A fun, fierce and funny reclamation of Caroline of Brunswick from her reputation, and a really important reframing of how we see 'difficult' or unusual women in history. Ann never plays down the more outré elements of Caroline's character but brings her to us as a fully rounded, empathetic and truly delightful person who kept on surviving... It's f****** great."--Emma Southon, author of A Rome of One's Own
"In her popular podcast, Vulgar History, Ann Foster uses wit and impeccable research to shine the light on historical women whose stories have been forgotten or told through a misogynist lens. In Rebel of the Regency, Foster uses those same qualities to bring Caroline of Brunswick, the mistreated wife and never-crowned queen of George IV of England back to center stage, where she always belonged. Fond of big wigs, bright make-up and revealing clothing, Caroline was flamboyant, bold, thin-skinned, big-hearted, and determined to fight her husband for the marital rights he was equally determined to deny her. The people of Britain loved her as much her husband hated her. Foster makes the reader love her, too, without downplaying any of the traits that made her a 'difficult woman.' The Regency England of popular fiction looks pale by comparison."--Pamela D. Toler, author of The Dragon from Chicago: The Untold Story of an American Reporter in Nazi Germany
Praise for Caroline of Brunswick
"Poor woman, I support her as long as I can, because she is a woman, and because I hate her husband."-Jane Austen
"I wish with all my heart downfall to her enemies."-Mary Shelley
"She is an enchanting princess, who dwells in an enchanted palace, and I cannot help thinking that her prince must labour under some malignant spell when he denies himself her society."-Sir Walter Scott
"Such an over-dressed, bare-bosomed, painted eye-browed figure one never saw."-Mary Berry
