South of Market Bosworth: Over 500 years ago a defining moment in British history took place here. The Battle of Bosworth was the final chapter in the Wars of the Roses, a series of conflicts in which two rival dynasties, the white rose of the York and the red rose of the Lancasters, fought for control of the throne over 30 years. Rob Bell, Britain’s Lost Battlefields s1e4: The Battle of Bosworth Field
With the princes out of the way, the Yorkist Richard faced another threat: this time from Lancastrian Henry Tudor, who for the last 14 years had been living in Brittany. ibid.
Henry sailed in from France and marched his invasion force from Wales through the Midlands. His men clashed with Richard’s at Bosworth field. ibid.
I’m in Northamptonshire on my way to a battlefield where England changed from being a monarchy to a republic … Members of parliament were in armed conflict with their king. Rob Bell, Britain’s Lost Battlefields s1e5: Naseby
At the start of 1640s Charles I was King … There was growing disapproval of the King.
At around 3.30 p.m. as the Royalist foot soldiers lay down their arms, King Charles I and his lifeguards fled the battlefield. ibid.
Wymondham: 460-odd years ago a little local trouble here sparked a huge rebellion that resulted in the death of thousands. It’s called Kett’s Rebellion, and it’s one of the most fascinating and violent struggles for justice this country has ever seen. Rob Bell, Britain’s Lost Battlefields s1e6: Class War in Tudor England
What started out as a minor disagreement about sheep between a farmer and the local townsfolk developed into an extraordinary uprising against the establishment. A class war in which hundreds lost their lives for what they believed was a just cause.
The movement attracted 16,000 supporters from all over Norfolk … But when the marched on Norwich they were branded as traitors and fired on by the city’s guns. ibid.
England 1605: Queen Elizabeth I is dead; her cousin, King James I, sits on the English throne. Catholic worship is a criminal act, and persecution of Catholics is brutal and relentless. Gunpowder Siege I: Fugitives, Sky History 2024
You probably know the name Guido Fawks as the lone assassin who tried to blow up parliament. But he wasn’t acting alone. ibid.
Word of the threat spread like wildfire. Catholics suddenly became a real threat to the Protestant majority and the King’s rule.
In the three days since Fawks’ capture, good fortune is in short supply. Gunpowder Siege II: Betrayed
For most the stakes were too high. ibid.
‘What a beautiful bunch of bastards, eh?’ ibid. Catesby
[Cecil]: ‘There is only one real power in this country.’ Gunpowder Siege III: Last Stand
‘They knew the game was up and still they went through with it.’ ibid. Anne
‘Did he [Catesby] think he was above the Pope?’ ibid.
‘They were driven to madness by grief and betrayal.’ ibid.
‘We must write our own story.’ ibid. Catesby