She-Wolves: England's Early Queens

1:30 AM to 2:30 AM
Wednesday 23 October
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Matilda and Eleanor

Season 1 Episode 1 of 3

Helen Castor explores the role of queens in medieval and Tudor England, analysing how they evolved from being the wives of kings to powerful figures in their own right - but faced great struggles to impose their authority in a male-dominated society. She begins by recalling the life of Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, who waged war against her cousin Stephen in the mid-12th-century in a bid to be recognised as her father's rightful successor. The historian also charts the turbulent life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the wife of Henry II, who played a major role in governing England during the latter half of the 12th century

She-Wolves: England's Early Queens airs on BBC Four at 1:30 AM, Wednesday 23 October. (Subtitles.)
Topics
News ➝ Current Affairs
Documentary
Helen Castor
Presenter
Lucy Swingler
Director
Ross Wilson
Executive Producer
Sam Anthony
Executive Producer