Sun, Nov 21, 2004
Monarchy looks at the reigns made famous by Shakespeare: Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. Richard becomes king at only ten after the deaths of King Edward III and Richard's father Edward the Black Prince. Richard rules over a lavish court and later comes into conflict with the nobles of England. Exiled by the King, Henry Bolingbroke returns to England after Richard seizes his family's estates. Bolingbroke deposes Richard, has him killed by starvation, and becomes King Henry IV by usurpation. Henry IV deals with multiple rebellions against his rule. Eventually he grows ill and the throne passes to his son Henry V. Henry V focuses on war with France. He is victorious at the Battle of Agincourt and even becomes heir to the French throne before dying of dysentery. The English crown passes to the infant son Henry VI. Henry VI marries a french princess Margaret of Anjou and pursues a policy of peace with France which gains him the displeasure of the English nobles. The House of York rebels against the king triggering the War of the Roses. Edward IV of House York becomes king but internal squabbles and problems with House Lancaster plague his reign.
Sun, Oct 24, 2004
Monarchy examines the history of kingship in England from the rise of the Anglo-Saxons to the Battle of Hastings. Edgar the Peaceful is crowned in bath, but dies shortly after. The crown passes to his son Edward the Martyr who is killed at a young age. Aethelred the Unready is crowned, but his rule is mired with a conflict with the Danes. The Danes seize the thrown and Cnut secures control of England by marrying Aethelred's wife Emma. After Cnut's Death, Edward the Confessor restores the House of Wessex to the throne. He fathers no heirs and his conflict with Godwin the Earl of Wessex almost results in a civil war. After Edward's death, Godwin's son takes the crown. Harold defeats his rival brother Tostig and the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Shortly after, Harold fights the Normans at Hastings and is defeated by William the Conquerer in a day long battle.
Sun, Oct 31, 2004
Monarchy examines the history of kingship in England from William to Conqueror on through the House of Norman. William seizes the throne after the battle of Hastings and is crowned in Westminster Abbey in London. He suppresses the Anglo-Saxons and consolidates his holdings by building fortifications throughout England. William Rufus the second son of William the Conqueror becomes king after his father's death. Disliked by the Church for his irreligious ways, he is killed by an arrow while hunting in the New Forest. After his death, his brother Henry crowns himself king. He consolidates his power by reviving the popular traditions of the Anglo-Saxon kings. After the death of his son, Henry appoints his daughter Matilda as his successor but after his death his nephew Stephen seizes the throne. Eventually this sparks a civil war which ends when Stephen agrees to appoint her son Henry as the heir to the throne.