The excellent Dr Helen Castor has presented a three part series on BBC Four to accompany her book She-Wolves: The women who ruled England before Elizabeth. The last part looks at the Tudors, and was repeated on Saturday. It is available on the iPlayer for the next six days by clicking here . The whole programme is really worth a watch. The first two thirds of the programme deal with the fates of Lady Jane Grey and Mary. This is excellent context to our course, and provides and insight to the problems of gender and religion at the start of Elizabeth’s reign. However, from 40 minutes and ten seconds the programme deals directly with Elizabeth. It again looks at the issues of gender, religion (and marriage). This is helpful for us because it shows how they link together. It then goes on to look at Elizabeth as a war leader, and provides excellent examples of Elizabeth’s skills as a political oritor. At the time of her death, it also asks the question what did Elizabeth have to scarifice to become the most successful female Tudor ?
As such, it is a thoughtful and original overview, and particualrly useful for the study of Unit One. Have a look for yourself.
Mr Kydd
STOP PRESS – I have also ordered a copy of Dr Castor’s book for the school library. If it is out, you are welcome to borrow mine.
Very interesting. Emphasises how difficult Elizabeth’s (and Jane Grey’s and Mary’s) problems were and how effective she was at tackling them. What a boring post though!
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Watched the video, very interesting and gave me more of an insight to the course.
Interesting video 😀
I have never studied the tudors or Elizabethan rule, so I found this video very interesting and a good introduction to the course.
Interesting to compare and contrast Elizabeth and the concept of power to that of the present day. Also, good summary of facts and quotes, especially the Latin!
Very interesting video, seems to be very brief when it comes to her early years though
found the video really interesting, especially how Elizabeth remained such a strong character even as she was dying
Enjoyed the video, as it gave us more insight into the course and what is to follow.
Very good video – it was interesting to see how Elizabeth dealt with the initial problems facing her and how this impacted the rest of her rule. Can’t wait to find out more
I found it fairly interesting, but thought as a programme it was pretty boring to be honest.
I thought it gave a very good insight into the elizebethan rule. she seems prety remarkable. I did however, think that likening her to a godess was a bit too far!