Episode 1
Dr Lucy Worsley's series begins in 1714 when, to prevent the crown falling into the hands of a Catholic, Britain shipped in a ready-made royal family from Hanover.
In 1714, to prevent the crown falling into the hands of a Catholic, Britain shipped in a ready-made royal family from the small German state of Hanover. To understand this risky experiment, presenter Dr Lucy Worsley has been given access to treasures from the Royal Collection as they are prepared for a new exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace - providing a rare and personal insight into George I and his feuding dynasty.
The Hanoverians arrived at a moment when Britain was changing fast. Satirists were free to mock the powerful, including the new royals. The Hanoverians themselves were busy early adopters of Neo-Palladian architecture, defining the whole look of the Georgian era. When the French philosopher Voltaire visited, he found a 'land of liberty' unlike anything in Europe - Britain was embracing freedom of speech and modern cabinet government.
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Clips
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Web exclusive: Mother of the Monarchy
Duration: 01:01
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The Elephant and the Maypole
Duration: 01:53
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The Act of Settlement
Duration: 01:21
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"Pandora's Box was opened…"
Duration: 03:10
Music Played
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Antonio Vivaldi
Mandolin Concerto In C Major, Rv 425: I. Allegro
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Ludovico Einaudi
Le Onde
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SeΓ΅n Γ“ Riada
Mna Na Heireann
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George Frideric Handel
Xerxes: Largo
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George Frideric Handel
Concerto Grosso No. 3 In G Major, Hwv 317 (Op. 3): II Allegro
Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia. Performer: Bradley Creswick.
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Lucy Worsley |
Producer | Linda Sands |
Director | Linda Sands |
Series Producer | Sebastian Barfield |
Executive Producer | Michael Poole |
Broadcasts
- Thu 1 May 2014 21:00
- Fri 2 May 2014 02:45
- Mon 5 May 2014 22:35
- Tue 4 Aug 2015 21:00
- Wed 5 Aug 2015 01:30
- Tue 23 May 2017 20:00
- Thu 28 Jun 2018 20:00
- Fri 29 Jun 2018 02:30
- Wed 31 Jul 2019 21:00
- Thu 1 Aug 2019 03:00
- Tue 19 May 2020 21:00
- Wed 20 May 2020 02:20
Featured in...
The Royals
Explore the rich lives of some of history's most powerful Royals.
The First Georgians
Dr Lucy Worsley tells the story of Britain's first Georgian kings.
Lucy Worsley
A selection of Lucy Worsley's documentaries.