history Archives - Page 37 of 61

Queen Victoria’s Children episode 1

History / 3 minutes of reading / February 4, 2021 / By HDclump

Queen Victoria’s Children episode 1: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared a passionate marriage. Behind closed doors, royal domestic life often seemed like a battlefield. In a 60-year family saga this new three-part series explores the reign of Victoria through her personal relationships with her husband and her nine children. It is a story of manipulation, conflict, intimidation, emotional blackmail, and fevered attempts by her children to escape the clutches of their domineering and needy mother. The series uses a wealth of written material and photos left by Victoria, Albert and their children, including letters, diaries, memoirs and […]

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Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 4

Art, History / 4 minutes of reading / February 2, 2021 / By HDclump

Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 4: Andrew Graham-Dixon explores how royal collecting has changed since the days of Queen Victoria. This is a story of the British monarchy’s remarkable survival, while elsewhere the crown heads of Europe crumbled in the face of world wars and revolutions. But it is also an age when women took charge of royal collecting; from Victoria to Elizabeth II, queens and queen consorts have used art to steady the ship of monarchy during this uncertain age. It’s one of the curiosities of the Royal Collection that

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Secrets of the Tower of London

History / 4 minutes of reading / February 1, 2021 / By HDclump

Secrets of the Tower of London: The Tower of London is England’s most formidable royal fortress, standing guard on the banks of the great River Thames. It is home to a thousand years of bloody history and is one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks. At almost every chapter in London’s history, the Tower has had a starring role. Built by William the Conqueror as part of the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, it was designed to dominate London’s skyline. The ancient fortifications are set in grounds the same size as those of the White House,

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Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 3

Art, History / 4 minutes of reading / January 31, 2021 / By HDclump

Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 3: Andrew Graham-Dixon continues his exploration of the Royal Collection, the vast collection of art and decorative objects owned by the Queen. In the third episode he has reached the age of the Romantics – the flamboyant George IV who created so much of the visual look of the modern monarchy, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, for whom collecting was an integral part of their happy marriage. As Prince of Wales, George was a famously loose cannon – a spendaholic prince whose debts ballooned in

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Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 2

Art, History / 3 minutes of reading / January 30, 2021 / By HDclump

Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 2: In the year 1660, something miraculous began to happen. After the execution of Charles I, the Royal Collection had been sold off and scattered to the four winds. But now, with the restoration of Charles II, the monarchy was back. And with it their driven, sometimes obsessive, passion for art. Slowly but surely, new pieces were acquired, as others were returned out of fear of reprisal. The Royal Collection had sprung back to life. Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of the Royal Collection’s remarkable resurrection,

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Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 1

Art, History / 4 minutes of reading / January 29, 2021 / By HDclump

Art, Passion & Power – The Story of the Royal Collection episode 1: In a major four-part series, Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the history of the Royal Collection, the dazzling collection of art and decorative objects owned by the Queen. Containing over a million items, this is one of the largest art collections in the world – its masterpieces by Van Dyck, Holbein, Leonardo da Vinci, Vermeer and Canaletto line the walls of Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and many other palaces, museums and institutions around Britain. Andrew argues that on the surface, the Royal Collection projects permanence, but within

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Delphi – The Bellybutton of the Ancient World

History / 2 minutes of reading / January 28, 2021 / By HDclump

Delphi – The Bellybutton of the Ancient World: What really went on at the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi, how did it get its awesome reputation and why is it still influential today? Michael Scott of Cambridge University uncovers the secrets of the most famous oracle in the ancient world. A vital force in ancient history for a thousand years, it is now one of Greece’s most beautiful tourist sites, but in its time it has been a gateway into the supernatural, a cockpit of political conflict, and a beacon for internationalism. And at its heart was the

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In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 4 – Arthur

History / 2 minutes of reading / January 27, 2021 / By HDclump

In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 4 – Arthur: Michael Wood examines the enduring legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. How did the myth develop and what is the history behind this famed figure? Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 4 – Arthur King Arthur (Welsh: Brenin Arthur, Cornish: Arthur Gernow, Breton: Roue Arzhur) was a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders

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In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 3 – Jason and the Golden Fleece

History / 3 minutes of reading / January 26, 2021 / By HDclump

In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 3 – Jason and the Golden Fleece: Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. He looks at the Greek myth of Jason’s mission to sail into the unknown and bring back the Golden Fleece, travelling from Greece to the wild mountains of the Caucasus to find the truth behind the legend. Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 3 – Jason and the Golden Fleece In

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In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 2 – Shangri-La

History / 2 minutes of reading / January 25, 2021 / By HDclump

In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 2 – Shangri-La: Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. He goes on a trek through India, Nepal and Tibet in search of Shangri-La, the magical valley hidden behind the Himalayas popularised in the 1930s movie Lost Horizon. He visits timeless monasteries and the world’s most sacred mountain before finally reaching the ruins of the lost city he believes is the real inspiration behind the myth. Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. In

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In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 1 – The Queen of Sheba

History / 3 minutes of reading / January 24, 2021 / By HDclump

In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 1 – The Queen of Sheba: Michael Wood goes in search of the Queen of Sheba’s existence. In his search for evidence, he visits the Red Sea, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Yemen. Documentary series in which historian Michael Wood goes in search of the world’s greatest myths. In Search of Myths and Heroes episode 1 – The Queen of Sheba The Queen of Sheba is a figure first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. In the original story, she brings a caravan of valuable gifts for the Israelite King Solomon.

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Empire of the Tsars – Romanov Russia episode 3 – The Road to Revolution

History / 5 minutes of reading / January 23, 2021 / By HDclump

Empire of the Tsars – Romanov Russia episode 3 – The Road to Revolution: Lucy Worsley concludes her history of the Romanov dynasty, investigating how the family’s grip on Russia unravelled in their final century. She shows how the years 1825-1918 were bloody and traumatic, a period when four tsars tried – and failed – to deal with the growing pressure for constitutional reform and revolution. Lucy finds out how the Romanovs tried to change the system themselves – in 1861, millions of enslaved serfs were freed by the Tsar-Liberator, Alexander II. But Alexander paid the ultimate penalty

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