Late Great Britons

Synopsis

1: Dr David Starkey examines the reign of Henry VIII and give his interpretation of the factors influencing the behaviour of the king and his administration.
2: Reveals that Queen Victoria was far from being a prude and, moreover, disliked many of her children.
3: Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill’s biographer, re-appraises Churchill’s reputation and sees the military leader and Prime Minister as a champion of social reform and international harmony.
4: Known for his theory expounding the survival of the fittest, Charles Darwin is popularly regarded as a champion of science over religion, linking man more closely with apes than with God. Dr Robert Young argues that Darwin was a product of his time and was profoundly influenced by Christianity.
5: Dr Jeremy Black argues that Sir Robert Walpole, although linked to a corrupt system, merely reflected the values of his age. To his credit, he introduced much-needed stability in a period of religious, political and dynastic upheaval.
6: Dr John Morrill presents his interpretation of Oliver Cromwell’s life and reputation. In 1640, Oliver Cromwell was an ordinary English gentleman, but by the time of his death he had won the reputation of a great statesman, an assertive and instinctive decision-maker, and a religious visionary.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television; Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Transmission details

5 Jul 1988 (Channel: BBC2)

Availability

Sale

Credits

Producer

David Herman

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

History

Keywords

biographies; Churchill, Winston Spencer (1874-1965); Cromwell, Oliver; Darwin, Charles; Henry VIII; Queen Victoria; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Walpole, Robert

Notes

History

Series transmitted BBC2 5 July 1988-16 August 1988.

Uses

A-level and undergraduate British history.*

Sections

Title

Henry VIII

Synopsis

1: Dr David Starkey examines the reign of Henry VIII and give his interpretation of the factors influencing the behaviour of the king and his administration.

Title

Queen Victoria

Synopsis

2: Reveals that Queen Victoria was far from being a prude and, moreover, disliked many of her children.

Title

Winston Churchill

Synopsis

3: Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill’s biographer, re-appraises Churchill’s reputation and sees the military leader and Prime Minister as a champion of social reform and international harmony.

Title

Charles Darwin 1

Synopsis

4: Known for his theory expounding the survival of the fittest, Charles Darwin is popularly regarded as a champion of science over religion, linking man more closely with apes than with God. Dr Robert Young argues that Darwin was a product of his time and

Title

Robert Walpole

Synopsis

5: Dr Jeremy Black argues that Sir Robert Walpole, although linked to a corrupt system, merely reflected the values of his age. To his credit, he introduced much-needed stability in a period of religious, political and dynastic upheaval.

Title

Oliver Cromwell

Synopsis

6: Dr John Morrill presents his interpretation of Oliver Cromwell’s life and reputation. In 1640, Oliver Cromwell was an ordinary English gentleman, but by the time of his death he had won the reputation of a great statesman, an assertive and instinctive

Production Company

Name

Brook Productions

Sponsor

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributor (Sale)

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact

Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)

Email

BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com

Web

https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 20 8433 1009

Address

BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK

Notes

The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’