The book that inspired the major Channel 4 documentary airing this summerA passionate and provocative reevaluation of Queen Victorias relationship with her servant John Brown that uncovers the secrets the royal machine keeps from us by acclaimed historian Dr Fern Riddell. From the moment John Brown arrived as a servant to Queen Victorias household he became known across the land as her loyal companion her fierce protector and her righthand man their friendship immortalised in print and later onscreen. But what if there was more to their relationship than we know And what has history been hiding from usRumours have swirled around this relationship for years as historians have attempted to bring the truth to light now for the first time Dr Fern Riddell reexamines everything we thought we knew about one of Britains most iconic women.