Simon Schama TV - David Dimbleby TV - Becket 1964 - Helen Castor TV - Robert Bartlett TV - Fergal Keane TV - The Strange Case of the Law TV - Dan Jones TV - David Starkey TV - Document: Radio 4 -
And then there appeared a young king – brave and charismatic who stopped the anarchy. His name was Henry and he would become the greatest of all our medieval kings ... The King who ordered the murder in the Cathedral. Or as the father of the much more famous impossibly bad King John, and the impossibly glamorous Richard the Lionheart. Simon Schama, A History of Britain: Dynasty, BBC 2000
Henry II, his wife Eleanor and their children Richard and John, were the most astonishing of all the family firms to run the enterprise of Britain. ibid.
In 1128 Matilda married Geoffrey of Anjou nicknamed Plantagenet ... His family emblem was three lions. ibid.
Henry had established permanent professional courts sitting at Westminster or touring the counties. ibid.
It was not, ‘Will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest?’ But a much more alarming outcry: ‘What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household who let their Lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?’ ibid.
In 1189 Richard declared war on his father. This time Henry faced defeat. ibid.
They thought they had solved a problem for the King [Henry II] but his troubles were only beginning. The murder met with outrage in the Christian world. The King tried to make amends ... It was Round One to the Church. David Dimbleby, Seven Ages of Britain 2/7: Age of Worship 1170–1400, BBC 2010
I suppose I have to do this penance to make my peace with you. Becket 1964 starring Peter O’Toole & Richard Burton & John Gielgud & Paolo Stoppa & Donald Wolfit & David Weston & Martita Hunt & Pamela Brown & Felix Aylmer & Gino Cervi & Christopher Rhodes et al, director Peter Glenville, Henry at Becket’s tomb
How do you combine the two – honour and collaboration? ibid. King to Becket
You’re a monster! ibid. King to Becket
Are you taking yourself seriously as Archbishop? ibid. King to Becket
England is splitting into the Henry camp and the Becket camp. ibid. King of France
He’s never forgiven me for preferring God to him. ibid. Becket to French King
Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest? ibid. King
At Bannockburn, Robert Bruce routed Edward’s army. England had lost its control of Scotland. Dr Helen Castor, She Wolves: England’s Early Queens Isabella and Margaret, BBC 2012
Henry’s and Stephen’s armies confronted one another here at Wallingford Castle. Professor Robert Bartlett, The Plantagenets I, BBC 2014
Henry did battle with the French King, the rebel barons and his own sons for eighteen months. ibid.
The Norman King Henry II would now be wooed by Diarmaid mac Murchadha. Fergal Keane, The Story of Ireland 2/5, BBC 2011
Out of the darkness of chaos and violence of the Middle Ages one family rose to seize control of England. Generation after generation they ruled the country for more than 300 years, ruthlessly crushing all competition to become the greatest English dynasty of all time: the Plantagenets. Dan Jones, Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty s1e1: Revenge, Channel 5 2014
These Kings murdered, betrayed and tyrannised their way to spectacular success. ibid.
Matilda’s son, Henry Plantagenet, has watched from France as his birthright is ripped away. In 1153 Henry Plantagenet sails to England with an invasion force aiming to seize back the throne. ibid.
The whole of Europe blames him for the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury. And his obsession with control has alienated his entire family. ibid.
He’s good at betrayal but he lacks his father’s political savvy. ibid.
England is turning into a disaster zone. ibid.
In December 1154 one of the most charismatic of all Kings of England began his reign: Henry II was a star amongst monarchs. Monarchy by David Starkey s1e4: Dynasty, Channel 4 2004
Why the transformation in Becket? ibid.
Henry, King of England, submitted to a public scourging. ibid.
He was defeated in battle by Richard and the King of France. ibid.
A transcript of a document that officially legalised the invasion of Ireland by England’s Henry II 800 years ago. And the continued occupation of some of it ever since. A UN-style resolution of its day which carried papal approval for regime change, or the subjugation of one country by another. But word has it that this document is not all it seems … Its contents was open to interpretation … King Henry sexed up this bit of parchment. Document: A Laudable Invasion, BBC Radio 4 2007