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THE LATEST PROGRAMME - WE ELIZABETHANS |
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A new series highlighting the many similarities between today's Britain and the Elizabethan era. Presented by revisionist Oxford historian Dr Christopher Haigh, each programme deals with a topical subject from international relations to Royal scandal and draws parallels between the Britain of today and that of Queen Elizabeth
Part One - The Monarchy
Scandal and speculation about the Royal family are a regular occurrence in today's press, but in this programme, Christopher examines how Elizabeth I was also subject to media and public pressure. Contributor Sir Bernard Ingham draws comparisons between Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth I's reinvention of their public persona as a PR exercise and Sir Roy Strong and Professor Pimlott put forward their own views on how our current monarch has handled media gossip about the Royal Family.
Producer/Philip Sellars
Part Two - Neighbours
Particularly timely in the current political climate, this programme looks at how Britain's attitude to international relations today is similar to that of the Elizabethans. Contributors including Lord Douglas Hurd look at why questions over alliances, trade, national security and intervening in overseas wars are all issues that the Elizabethans would have been more than familiar with.
Producer/Philip Sellars
Part Three - Economy and Society
Crises in the National Health Service, issues with inflation and the seemingly endless expansion of cities all make headline news today but, as this programme shows, many of our current economic concerns were also shared by the Elizabethans.
Producer/Sarah Taylor
Part Four - Religion
Managing a multi-faith country and promoting religious tolerance whilst avoiding the pitfalls of fundamentalism is a balancing act shared by both Elizabethan eras. Contributors including Will Hutton, The Bishop of Oxford and Dr Mona Siddiqui examine how public figures adapt to religious change.
Producer/Sarah Taylor
Part Five - Popular Culture
Celebrity gossip magazines, the flaunting of wealth and an insatiable desire for entertainment all seem like modern day issues but, in the last of the series, contributors including Media Guardian's Roy Greenslade draw some surprising parallels with the Elizabethan era. From thrilling pamphlets on crime and scandal to the flourishing entertainment scene in the English Renaissance, popular culture played as large a part in Elizabethan society as it does today.
Producer/Philip Sellars
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RELATED LINKS
National Maritime Museum Exhibition
http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm
http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/
http://www.elizabethi.org
Please note the BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites.
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