Who was the real William Wallace? And what kind of rebel was he? Was he like Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart', or a more nuanced rebel, battling amidst the complex Anglo-Scottish power politics of over 700 years ago?
In this new series, conflict analyst Professor Michael Livingston travels the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, from the heart of cities to rugged wilderness, exploring battlefields, meeting experts and conducting experiments, on the trail of some of the best known rebels in British history.
In this episode, Michael investigates the Scottish hero William Wallace, whose story of rebellion against the English has been told for centuries. But how much of it is just legend? Michael sifts the fascinating facts from the spectacular fiction.
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Finding the Lost Battlefield of Bruna...
The Battle of Brunanburh was one of the bloodiest and biggest battles of early medieval history. Fought 1100 years ago, Athelstan - the king of the English - opposed a coalition of Irish, Scots, Northumbrians and Vikings and won a decisive victory. The enemy shield wall was penetrated. Their troo...
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Richard the Lionheart's Castle: Châte...
Prof Michael Livingstone investigates Richard the Lionheart's medieval super fortress.
At the end of the 12th century, tensions between England and France were growing. The two kings, the ambitious Philippe II of France and the warrior Richard the Lionheart of England, had once been great allies...
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King Arthur: Legend and Legacy
The familiar medieval Arthurian myths of a noble King ruling over his kingdom from camelot, supported by his Round Table of loyal and brave knights who seek for the Holy Grail and slay dragons, is a legend that has been engaged with by English kings ever since the 13th Century. By the 14th Centur...
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