This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/24/medieval-historians-view-white-queen
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| A medieval historian's view on The White Queen | A medieval historian's view on The White Queen |
| (14 days later) | |
| I found the first episode of this BBC drama set during the Wars of the Roses useful and informative. As with Philippa Gregory's source novels, they've done their research: a great deal of backstory – from the marriage of Elizabeth Woodville's parents, to the suspicions of bastardy that circled Edward IV – is cleverly is woven in from the start. It's not how a historian might have written it, but it's all there. | I found the first episode of this BBC drama set during the Wars of the Roses useful and informative. As with Philippa Gregory's source novels, they've done their research: a great deal of backstory – from the marriage of Elizabeth Woodville's parents, to the suspicions of bastardy that circled Edward IV – is cleverly is woven in from the start. It's not how a historian might have written it, but it's all there. |
| There are anachronisms: clothes in late medieval England didn't have zips; but to make the middle ages look fully convincing today is an impossible task. I can see why they shot it in Belgium: there's a lot of woodland, and buildings that have remained unchanged – like the hunting lodge where Edward shacks up with Elizabeth. Still, it is pretty obvious that we're not in England. | There are anachronisms: clothes in late medieval England didn't have zips; but to make the middle ages look fully convincing today is an impossible task. I can see why they shot it in Belgium: there's a lot of woodland, and buildings that have remained unchanged – like the hunting lodge where Edward shacks up with Elizabeth. Still, it is pretty obvious that we're not in England. |
| As Elizabeth, Rebecca Ferguson certainly looks the part: we can't know for sure how beautiful Elizabeth Woodville was, but we know Edward was fixated with her. It's true, too, that he seems to have had a succession of widows who came and petitioned him, and got what they wanted in return for going to bed with him. It's quite likely he promised them marriage, as in the show. But Elizabeth was the only one for whom his promise held true: she became the first English lady – commoner, in short – to marry a crowned king. | As Elizabeth, Rebecca Ferguson certainly looks the part: we can't know for sure how beautiful Elizabeth Woodville was, but we know Edward was fixated with her. It's true, too, that he seems to have had a succession of widows who came and petitioned him, and got what they wanted in return for going to bed with him. It's quite likely he promised them marriage, as in the show. But Elizabeth was the only one for whom his promise held true: she became the first English lady – commoner, in short – to marry a crowned king. |
| It's easy to see why the Wars of the Roses have inspired so many writers. It's a complex, kaleidoscopic period, with many changes of fortune: there were seven monarchs in 30 years, several of whom reigned twice. There are connections to today: the collapse of the economy, wars abroad, popular uprisings. But I'm unsure how they will stretch Elizabeth's story to 10 episodes. | It's easy to see why the Wars of the Roses have inspired so many writers. It's a complex, kaleidoscopic period, with many changes of fortune: there were seven monarchs in 30 years, several of whom reigned twice. There are connections to today: the collapse of the economy, wars abroad, popular uprisings. But I'm unsure how they will stretch Elizabeth's story to 10 episodes. |
| They've fiddled with the chronology: I found the second episode confusing. I can see why they decided to restrict the cast of characters, and play up the rivalry between Elizabeth and the Earl of Warwick. But Warwick wasn't always her enemy – he presided at her coronation, and the churching (or blessing) after the birth of her eldest daughter. But portraying their relationship as a titanic struggle makes for better drama. | They've fiddled with the chronology: I found the second episode confusing. I can see why they decided to restrict the cast of characters, and play up the rivalry between Elizabeth and the Earl of Warwick. But Warwick wasn't always her enemy – he presided at her coronation, and the churching (or blessing) after the birth of her eldest daughter. But portraying their relationship as a titanic struggle makes for better drama. |
| • Professor Michael Hicks is head of history at the University of Winchester. The White Queen is on BBC1 on Sundays. | • Professor Michael Hicks is head of history at the University of Winchester. The White Queen is on BBC1 on Sundays. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. |