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Documentary
Elizabeth is a four-part British documentary about Queen Elizabeth I of England.
In this first episode David Starkey examines Elizabeth I's life before her coronation. If her reign was full of glorious victories, her earlier life was a perilous journey. Her father would kill her mother and Elizabeth would be disinherited, sexually abused and imprisoned at the Tower under threat of execution
David Starkey explores the tensions created by Elizabeth I's reluctance to marry, which strained the political and religious machinations of her reign. The self-styled 'Virgin Queen' - devoted only to her country - signified a new era of unorthodox behaviour on the throne. Though her dalliances with potential suitors such as Lord Dudley provoked much speculation, it was her refusal to choose a spouse from France or Spain - powers that were a threat to the then slight nation of England - that worried the Queen's advisors. The programme also measures the threat presented by Elizabeth's cousin, Mary Queen of Scots.
In July 1588 beacons were lit across England to warn of the arrival of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth I's darkest fears had come true. Having successfully avoided open war for 20 years, she found herself bound up in a costly and desperately unpredictable conflict. Elizabeth also loathed war because, as a woman, she couldn't lead her own armies. Instead she had to delegate command to hot-tempered men, who disobeyed her orders and even turned her own forces against her. Despite the difficulties, it was war which provided Elizabeth with her finest hour.
After the Armada was defeated Elizabeth I ushered in a golden age in English society. With a flourishing of literature, an age of prosperity and a sense that England was at last a nation to be reckoned with in Europe, national pride was at an all-time high. Elizabeth was hailed as Gloriana: almost a goddess in the eyes of her subjects. Unfortunately the goddess was getting old.
Queen Elizabeth I
Himself
On the edge of London stands Hampton Court, one of Britain's biggest palaces and most popular tourist spots, attracting almost a million visitors every year. Spanning 750 acres of grounds, it boasts 1,300 rooms and 23 courtyards...along with a host of secrets and historic stories. This two-part special provides an exclusive and intimate look at life inside the court today for the people keeping Henry VIII's world alive in the modern age, and also explores what life was like in the palace where the private world of the Tudors began.
The year 1540 was a crucial turning point in American history. The Great Indian Wars were incited by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado when his expedition to the Great Plains launched the inevitable 350-year struggle between the white man and the American Indians. From that point forward, the series of battles between the military and civilian forces of the United States and the native American Indians began when blood was shed and ultimately tens of thousands of lives were lost on both sides. The Battle of Tippicanoe, the Battle of Horseshoe Band, all three Seminole Wars and the Battle of Little Big Horn were some of the most important conflicts that led up to the last massacre, the Battle of Wounded Knee, where America's landscape would be forever changed!
Notorious London: A City Tour dips into various regions and eras of London's past to give you a multifaceted look at this remarkable metropolis. From the destruction of St. Paul's Cathedral and the dark history of the Tower of London to the chaos of World War II, and beyond, these stories bring London to life across the centuries and illuminate the darker corners of a complex city.
Warwick Davis is joined by his family for this new series about holidaying in Great Britain. As a keen ‘staycationer’, Warwick loves nothing more than spending time in Britain rather than travelling abroad, however his family don’t feel quite the same way. Over six episodes, Warwick and his wife Sam, kids Annabelle and Harrison and dog Sherlock explore the British Isles investigating what makes a quintessential British holiday. Warwick also tries to convince them of the benefits of holidaying near home. The Davis family visit some of Britain’s most famous holiday spots, camping, caravanning or staying in their campervan. As well as showing some of the great destinations the UK has to offer, the series is also an amusing insight into how families behave on holiday.
