This latest series from historian Lucy Worsley is only three excellent episodes. This sort of tiny series format is not unusual for the BBC but I sure hope that they bring out more of these shows as they do something other historical documentaries don't--they breathe life into events and re-frame them in a way that gives us new insight. Other shows basically just restate events the same way again and again.
Of the three episodes, this is my favorite for several reasons. First, I like seeing Worsley have more fun in this episode...as she dresses up as a Yeoman Warder, in armor as well as Queen Elizabeth I! Second, as a retired history teacher, I OFTEN told my students how Shakespeare was NOT a historian but a propagandist who wrote historical plays in order to portray the Tudors and Stewarts as the rightful leaders of Britain. His "Richard III" in particular, portrays the king as a monster and therefore Henry killing him seemed, to the audience, like justice. In addition to Shakespeare being a propagandist, Worsley also explains how Henry worked to create a seemingly legitimate claim to the throne...even though he was basically a commoner!
Overall, very fascinating, well presented and unique among historical documentaries..especially since our view of the Wars are Shakespeare's...not history's! And, you learn why one historian refers to Shakespeare as a 'historical magie'! Worth seeing and among the better history shows you can find.