British Royal History: Documentaries and Dramas to Watch Now
British royal history dates back to the 10th century, when King Athelstan claimed the title Rex totius Britanniae (“King of all Britain”.) In the years since, British royals have changed the course of global history and inspired countless works of art that explore the inner workings of the British monarchy. You can learn more about many of these transformative individuals in this collection of scripted dramas and historical recreations. Hear from historians about everything royal, including but not limited to: weddings, scandals, homes, travel, and fashion. Immerse yourself in dramas that build up upon historical records to bring us all the romance and intrigue of royal happenings (we’re looking at you, Tudors!)
Pop a kettle on and start watching! (We promise you hours of Lucy Worsley.)
The Princes in the Tower
Perhaps the greatest unsolved mystery in British royal history is that of the Princes in the Tower. In 1483, The Princes Edward (Edward V of England) and Richard (Duke of York) were just 12 and 9 years old, respectively were imprisoned in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester. It was a power grab, as the young Prince Edward was to be crowned King Edward V of England, and his younger brother would have been next in line to the throne. Their paternal uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester wanted to be king and so ordered the boys' kidnapping and declared them illegitimate heirs. He ascended to the throne, becoming King Richard III and reigning from 1483-1485.
What happened to the young boys - when and where they died- remains in question. These two episodes: one from Secrets of the Dead and the other from Lucy Worsley Investigates, explore the evidence available and test the competing theories of what truly happened to the young prince who might have been kings.
House of Tudor
Tudor monarchs ruled England from 1485 to 1603. These included Henry VIII, and his daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I. King Henry VIII succeeded his father King Henry VII. During his reign, he famously split with the Roman Catholic church and made himself the head the Church of England. He broke with the Vatican, and therefore the existing world order, in order to grant himself the ability to dissolve his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) to marry Anne Boleyn. The Tudors continued to rule England until the death of Henry VIII's second daughter Elizabeth I in 1603.
Wolf Hall | MASTERPIECE
Wolf Hall, starring Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance, tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, a blacksmith’s son who rises from the ashes and deftly picks his way through King Henry VIII's court. Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, the sequel to Wolf Hall, based on the final novel in Hilary Mantel’s trilogy.
In this clip: Learn more about the enigmatic Thomas Cromwell, real-life adviser to King Henry VIII and protagonist of Hilary Mantel's novel Wolf Hall.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was a transformative royal to say the least. Her reign began in 1837 and ushered in its own era of traditions and progress: the Victorian Age. Her wedding to Prince Albert was political theater to shore up positive sentiment for the monarchy. Under Queen Victoria's rule, the British empire expanded to its largest size in history. From her bridal fashion to her Christmas traditions, Victoria's influence continues today.
The "Fashion History of Queen Victoria" from REWIRE: Did you know that the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress started with Queen Victoria? She was influential in more than just politics!
House of Windsor
The House of Windsor has produced several monarch, beginning with King Edward VII and extends to the current monarch: King Charles III. These documentaries focus on the previous generation of Windsor royals: Queen Elizabeth II, and her sister, Princess Margaret.
Princess Diana | In Their Own Words
Meet those closest to Princess Diana and follow her story as she grew from a shy, aristocratic schoolgirl into a dynamic force for change. This is a journey from the inside of her life, and the story of a woman who defied expectations and evolved into one of the most impactful icons of our time.
In this clip, we revisit Princess Diana's groundbreaking revelations about her personal life. After the release of her biography, the world learns of Diana's battle with bulimia and her secret struggles living as a member of the royal family. In 1996, despite Diana and Charles carrying out their duties to the public, albeit separately, Queen Elizabeth II at last orders for Charles and Diana to divorce.
More Royal History from Lucy Worsley
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