History documentaries
The Stuarts
The Stuart monarchs are considered merciless tyrants, but they also forged modern Britain.
Ruling Britain from 1603 to 1714, the Stuart monarchs have often been branded as merciless tyrants. But the kingdoms they ruled, Scotland, England and Ireland, were already steeped in bloodshed and infighting as they took power. Historian Dr Clare Jackson argues that the Stuarts were Britain’s defining royal family and their impact on the country is still felt today.
Waterloo's Warriors
The army that defeated Napoleon and the French at Waterloo is often regarded as a quintessentially English force. But most of the soldiers under the Duke of Wellington’s command were not English. Through their own accounts, this compelling history documentary tells the stories of the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Dutch, and German troops who fought the battle and of the families who travelled with them.
The Queen Of Empire: Victoria
Crowned queen shortly after her 18th birthday, Victoria presided over an extraordinary period of British history which saw huge industrial, social and territorial expansion. As this revealing history documentary shows, over her long reign she also managed to shift the public perception of the royal family and became a celebrated public figure, influencing popular culture.
The Rebel Queen: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine already possessed huge wealth when she married Louis, son of the French king. She became Queen of France when only a teenager. But, as this history documentary reveals, that wasn’t the end of the story. After that marriage was annulled, she married English heir Henry and then became Queen of England. But she was no quiet Queen, having a strong influence on both Kings’ reigns.
The Queen Who Would Be King
When her son tried to ascend to her dead husband’s throne, Queen Hatshepsut did the unthinkable and declared herself king. As this illuminating history documentary reveals, she overturned Egyptian tradition and became one of the most powerful and successful pharaohs in history. But then ancient and modern prejudices conspired to withhold the credit due to this unstoppable ruler.