S1E7: The Body of the Queen | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Duration: 58'10''

Synopsis

Simon Schama examines the long, tangled relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, who was executed by royal command in 1587.

Further Information

More clips from A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Catholic rebellion under Elizabeth I | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Catholic rebellion under Elizabeth I | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 3'33''

Simon Schama explains how Mary's presence in England inspired attempts at Catholic rebellions.

Elizabeth I speaks at Tilbury | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Elizabeth I speaks at Tilbury | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 3'54''

Simon Schama discusses the Spanish Armada and the intentions behind Elizabeth's speech at Tilbury.

Mary, Queen of Scots flees from Scotland to England | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Mary, Queen of Scots flees from Scotland to England | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 3'35''

Simon Schama discusses Mary's escape from Lord Bothwell and subsequent imprisonmen...

Mary, Queen of Scots plot with Anthony Babbington | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Mary, Queen of Scots plot with Anthony Babbington | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 2'38''

Simon Schama discusses the trap that Francis Walsingham created to catch Mary.

Mary, Queen of Scots relationships with Lord Darnley, David Rizzio and Lord Bothwell | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Mary, Queen of Scots relationships with Lord Darnley, David Rizzio and Lord Bothwell | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 4'23''

Simon Schama discusses the murder of David Rizzio...

The characteristics of Elizabeth I | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The characteristics of Elizabeth I | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 1'54''

Simon Schama discusses the public appearance of Elizabeth I.

The relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to Lord Darnley | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to Lord Darnley | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 3'34''

Simon Schama discusses Elizabeth and Ma...

The trial and fate of Mary, Queen of Scots | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The trial and fate of Mary, Queen of Scots | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 4'00''

Simon Schama investigates the trial and fate of Mary Queen of Scots.

More resources about Tudor England

4: The Battle Against the Spanish Armada | Battlefield Britain

4: The Battle Against the Spanish Armada | Battlefield Britain

BBC Two | 2004 | 58'48''

Peter and Dan Snow take a look at the battles that shaped our nation. Drake's unlikely sea victory against the...

1: Elizabeth I | Queens that Changed the World

1: Elizabeth I | Queens that Changed the World

Channel 4 | 2023 | 46'43''

Elizabeth I pacified a divided nation, and foiled multiple plots against her. English culture flourished under her reign, and ...

What Caused the Spanish Armada? | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

What Caused the Spanish Armada? | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

BBC Two | 2015 | 4'47''

Dan Snow discusses the foundations of what caused the Spanish Armada.

6: Mary, Queen of Scots | Historyonics

6: Mary, Queen of Scots | Historyonics

BBC One | 2004 | 29'24''

Nick Knowles asks whether Mary, Queen of Scots, one of history's most famous monarchs, was a manipulator or a martyr.

A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley

A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'04''

Recreating festivities from Henry VIII's era, Lucy Worsley dresses, eats, drinks, sings and parties like it is 500 years ago - disc...

1: The Common People | Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England

1: The Common People | Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England

BBC Two | 2013 | 58'43''

Dr. Ian Mortimer undertakes a present-tense journey through the world of Queen Elizabeth the First. This...

Elizabeth I's Secret Agents

Elizabeth I's Secret Agents

BBC Two | 2017 | 58'46''

A look at the world's first secret service. When the pope declares Queen Elizabeth I a heretic, spymaster William Cecil must stop the Catholic as...

3: Brave New World | Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England

3: Brave New World | Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England

BBC Two | 2013 | 58'37''

Dr Ian Mortimer takes viewers on a journey through this golden age of English history. He explores a new s...

Fireships | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

Fireships | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

BBC Two | 2015 | 4'57''

Dan Snow explores the English use of fireships against the Spanish Armada.

2: The Battle for England | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

2: The Battle for England | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

BBC Two | 2015 | 58'42''

Dan Snow relives fierce sea battles and looks behind the scenes in the court of Elizabeth I as the Spanish fleet ...

S1E4: Gloriana | David Starkey's Elizabeth

S1E4: Gloriana | David Starkey's Elizabeth

Channel 4 | 2000 | 49'44''

After the Armada was defeated Elizabeth I ushered in a golden age in English society. With a flourishing of literature,an age of p...

1: Day One | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

1: Day One | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

BBC Two | 2015 | 58'54''

Anita Dobson stars as Elizabeth I, and Dan Snow tells the story of how England came within a whisker of disaster in summer 1588.

S1E2: The Virgin Queen | David Starkey's Elizabeth

S1E2: The Virgin Queen | David Starkey's Elizabeth

Channel 4 | 2000 | 49'40''

David Starkey explores the tensions created by Elizabeth I's reluctance to marry,which strained the political and religiou...

3: Endgame | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

3: Endgame | Armada: 12 Days to Save England

BBC Two | 2015 | 59'13''

Newly discovered documents reveal a remarkable web of misunderstandings that stopped the Spanish from invading.

1: Tudors to Stuarts: From Gods to Men | Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History

1: Tudors to Stuarts: From Gods to Men | Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History

BBC Two | 2013 | 59'00''

Lucy Worsley explores how the health of past monarchs has shaped the nation. She exam...

Dissolution of the monasteries | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Dissolution of the monasteries | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 1'42''

Simon Schama discusses Cromwell's dissolution of the monasteries.

Edward and Mary: The Unknown Tudors

Edward and Mary: The Unknown Tudors

Channel 4 | 2002 | 49'05''

The story of two of Henry VIII's most extraordinary children, Mary 1st and Edward VI - England's fundamentalists.

S1E6: Burning Convictions | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

S1E6: Burning Convictions | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 58'47''

Simon Schama tells the story of the Reformation, from Henry VIII's love for Anne Boleyn to Bloody Mary's uns...

The relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to Lord Darnley | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to Lord Darnley | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2000 | 3'34''

Simon Schama discusses Elizabeth and Ma...

04: Elizabeth I | Landmarks

04: Elizabeth I | Landmarks

BBC Two | 1993 | 18'58''

Programme looks at life of Elizabeth I, with visits to Penshurst Place and National Gallery.

More from Simon Schama

S3E1: Forces of Nature | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

S3E1: Forces of Nature | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2002 | 59'38''

The French Revolution sent shockwaves through Britain. While some watched transfixed, others were horrified. Si...

Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz

Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz

BBC Two | 2025 | 59'46''

In the most personal and unflinching film of his career, historian Simon Schama confronts the Holocaust as not just a Nazi obsession but ...

1: Second Moment of Creation | Civilisations

1: Second Moment of Creation | Civilisations

BBC Two | 2018 | 59'00''

Simon Schama looks at the formative role art and the creative imagination have played in the forging of humanity itself.

2: Among Believers | The Story of the Jews

2: Among Believers | The Story of the Jews

BBC Two | 2013 | 59'10''

Simon Schama examines the story of the medieval Jews and their struggle to preserve their identity under the rule of Christianity ...

6: Van Gogh | Simon Schama's Power of Art

6: Van Gogh | Simon Schama's Power of Art

BBC Two | 2006 | 59'22''

Simon Schama investigates what drove Van Gogh to paint Wheat Field with Crows.