Friend or Foe
Will Gompertz examines items from the Royal Collection that are associated with war, from Edward III to Elizabeth II. From February 2012.
The Royal Collection is one of the most wide-ranging collections of art and artefacts in the world and provides an intriguing insight into the minds of the monarchs who assembled it.
In this series, Â鶹ԼÅÄ Arts Editor Will Gompertz encounters dozens of these unique objects - some priceless, others no more than souvenirs - each shedding light on our relationship with the monarchy and giving a glimpse into the essential ingredients of a successful sovereign.
In today's programme, Will puts the Royal Collection on a war footing as he examines six very different items covering 700 years that show how the monarchy has rallied their subjects for war and endeavoured to keep the peace.
Will's explorations of monarchs at war begins with a photograph of the young Princess Elizabeth training to be an ATS Officer in 1945 shown to the nation to boost morale but then spools back to the Middle Ages with a clear symbol of martial authority - Edward III's six feet, eight inch long bearing sword. Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots and a elaborate object of apology from the city of Exeter all form part of the story of the monarchy in arms.
As well as curators from the Royal Collection, Will meets General Sir Mike Jackson, Dr Duncan Anderson - Head of Academy, Sandhurst and Sir David Cannadine.
Producer: Neil George.
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Will Gompertz examines The Exeter Salt
Duration: 01:44
The Exeter Salt
Ceremonial table salt, known as The Exeter Salt, by Johann Hass. This ceremonial table salt was paid for by the people of Exeter and presented to Charles II (1630-1685) on his restoration in 1660.
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From: Made in Hamburg and acquired by the Crown Jeweller, Thomas Vyner, after 1657.
Date: c.1630
Material: Silver-gilt encrusted with jewels
Size: 457 mm Ìý
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Princess Elizabeth trains as an A.T.S Officer
Princess Elizabeth in A.T.S. uniform at the training centre in Camberley. This photograph was taken for the War Office.
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From: England
Date: 1945
Material: Gelatin silver print
Size: 208 x 259 mm
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Sword of Edward III
This giant bearing sword was used as a symbol of Edward III's (1312-77) power and authority.
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From: England
Date: c.1327-77
Material: Iron and steel, wood leather, and copper alloy
Size: 2050 mm Ìý
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The Field of the Cloth of Gold
This painting celebrates the meeting of Henry VIII (1491-1547) and Francis I of France (1494-1547), near Calais in 1520 (British school).
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From: England
Date: c.1520
Material: Oil on canvas
Size: 1689 x 3473 mm Ìý
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Miniature of Mary Queen of Scots
Portrait miniature depicting Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587), by François Clouet (c.1520-1572). This miniature possibly belonged to Mary's cousin, Elizabeth I (1533-1603).
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From: France
Date: c.1558-60
Material: Watercolour on vellum
Size: 83 x 57 mm
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Photograph of Queen Victoria with members of her family
Photograph of Queen Victoria and her family, taken at Coburg by E. Uhlenhuth. This photograph was taken in 1894 and shows Queen Victoria as the 'Grandmother of Europe' surrounded by her descendents from royal houses across the Continent.
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From: Coburg. Acquired by Queen Victoria
Date: 1894
Material: Albumen print
Size: 197 x 152 mm Ìý
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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Wars of the Roses which have been the scene for many a historical skirmish over the ages.
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Sir John Neale describes one of the most difficult dilemmas of Elizabeth I's reign - the decision of whether to sign Mary Queen of Scots' death warrant. An archive clip from 13th January 1957.
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More from Radio 4: Agincourt
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Battle of Agincourt, when the 'happy few' of the English army of King Henry V vanquished the French forces on St Crispin's Day 1415. It is a battle that has resounded through the centuries and has been used by so many to mean so much. But how important was the battle in the strategic struggles of the time? What were the pressures at home that drove Henry's march through France? And what is the cultural legacy of Agincourt?
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More from Radio 4: Henry V
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According to 'history', the Battle of Bosworth was thought to have taken place around the site of Ambion Hill near Market Bosworth in Leicestershire. Yet for years controversy has raged over the precise location of the battle and recently the search for the exact location culminated in the discovery of 'extraordinary and unexpected' evidence. So where actually was the Battle of Bosworth and what it it mean for the town and region?
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Broadcasts
Sat 18 Feb 2012 10:30Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4- Sat 5 Aug 2017 07:30Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 5 Aug 2017 17:30Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 6 Aug 2017 05:30Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 Extra
Podcast
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The Art of Monarchy
Will Gompertz examines objects in the Royal Collection that define the British monarchy.
