📖 Book of my Month ~ Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee by Charlie Higson with Illustrations by Jim Moir

Harper Collins 
9 October 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book to review

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry three. One, two, three Neds, Richard Two, Henries, four, five, six, then who? Charlie Higson has always been interested in the story of the fabled English monarchy: from the b*stardly to the benevolent, brilliant to the brutal. In this wonderful new book, with the famous rhyme he learned at school as his trusty guide, Charlie takes the plunge into the storied history of this most treasured of institutions – introducing readers to every single ruler since poor Harold was shot in the eye at the Battle of Hastings. Bloody treachery? Check. Unruly incest? Check. Short parliaments? Check. A couple of Cromwells? Check.

A rip-roaring journey that takes in the Normans, Stuarts and Tudors, not to mention the infamous Blois (how can we forget them?), Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee is an utterly engrossing and grossly entertaining primer on who ruled when and why.

📖My Review..

Willie Willie Harry Stee is an interesting romp through the history of England’s monarchs who ruled from 1066 to the present day. Their many failings and a few successes are all explained in an informative book which definitely makes history come alive. Whilst I was familiar with the rhyme on which the book is based it’s not something I learned at school and my party piece is to be able to recite the monarchs from William the Conqueror, through to Charles III, without the need to rely on the Willie, Willie,Harry, Stee rhyme.

This is one of those fascinating history books which doesn’t take itself too seriously and yet serves up a plethora of facts in an easily digested manner. The quirky illustrations by Jim Moir add an extra dimension and the rather serious faces of the monarchs on the cover of the book would certainly have me reaching for a copy in a book shop in order to have a closer look. The British monarchy is not renown for its fun factor and yet, such is the lure of the writing, that, on occasions, I found myself laughing out loud. It’s worth mentioning that the author has an engaging podcast about Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee which is available from wherever you get your podcasts and the historical content ties in nicely with the book.

Overall this is a great read and a useful aide memoir if you want to check up on a few facts about a monarch or two, or just to dip into and out of at whim and discover more about those monarchs who, for good or ill, have shaped our history. Short and snappy chapters help to make the history of our Kings and Queens easily readable, and for making rather complex history fun, I am delighted to have Willie, Willie, Harry Stee as my Book of the Month for October.

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee is published by Harper Collins on the 9th October.

About the Author

Charlie Higson is a comedian and writer of screenplays and novels, including the Enemy and Young Bond series. He has written and performed on BBC’s The Fast Show and makes regular TV appearances as a guest, panellist and actor. Charlie is a huge horror fan and studied gothic literature at university. He lives in London.

James Moir, commonly known by his stage name Vic Reeves, is an English comedian and artist.

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