Ray’s History Radio & TV Picks. No.2016/04. 29 Jan 2016

Battlefield Recovery
Channel 5: Sat 30 Jan 2016, 19.05 – 20.00. 4 / 4
This new WWII history series has created some controversy in the archaeological circles. At the Courtland peninsula in Latvia, scene of fierce fighting in January 1945, the team find a live shell and the bodies of fallen German and Russian soldiers. http://www.channel5.com/shows/battlefield-recovery/episodes/episode-4-755

Sunday Feature: Cecil Sharp’s Appalachian Trail
BBC Radio 3: Sun 31 Jan 2016, 18.45 – 19.30
In the spring of 1916, English folk song collector Cecil Sharp (1859–1924) headed to the USA to give a series of lectures. He became fascinated by the songs, many with UK roots but lost on this side of the Atlantic, he encountered in the Appalachians: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06yp4cv

Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands
ITV: Sun 31 Jan 2016, 19.00 – 20.00. 5 / 12
Loosely based on an epic poem written more than 1,000 years ago, this fantasy-drama is set in a fictional land, where humans and creatures live a life of danger, excitement and adventure.

War & Peace
BBC One: Sun 31 Jan 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. 5 / 6
We have reached 1812; Napoleon invades Russia and preparations begin for a great battle. Natasha is ill and Pierre helps care for her until he goes off to war. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06z9fph
See also an article which includes quotes by Toby Mcleod…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12121019/Downton-Abbey-historical-advisor-bemoans-baffling-War-and-Peace-costume-error.html

Deutschland 83
Channel 4: Sun 31 Jan 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. (German Drama + subtitles) 5 / 8: Cold Fire
Moritz is told that he is to be the kidney donor for his mother’s transplant and on the way home he must deliver a mysterious package in West Berlin. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/deutschland-83

Bloody Queens: Elisabeth and Mary
BBC 2: Mon 1 Feb 2016, 21.00 – 22.00.
The explosive relationship between Elisabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots – who never actually met – is explored in this documentary drama. Dramatized purely from the original words of the two queens and their courtiers; expert historians will examine, interpret and argue over the monarchs’ motives. Postponed from 2 weeks ago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wdzd1

Tumanbay
BBC Radio 4: Wed 3 Feb 2016, 14.15 – 15.00. 10 / 10: Sword of Faith
In this final part of Mike Walker’s epic historical saga the people of Tumanbay await news of the Sultan’s great victory. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06z2tjf
Free Podcasts to download: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06qcrhv/episodes/downloads

The Crusades: A Timewatch Guide
BBC4: Wed 3 Feb 21.00 – 22.00 Repeated Thu 4 Feb 2016, 20.00 – 21.00.
Historian Dr Thomas Asbridge explores the BBC’s archive to reveal how television’s telling of the Crusades has changed over the last 60 years.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06zw45j

In Our Time: Chromatography
BBC Radio 4: Thu 4 Feb 09.00 – 09.45.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins, development and uses of chromatography.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06z4w7p

The Story of China
BBC Two: Thu 4 Jan 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. 3 / 6: The Golden Age
Michael Wood tells the tale of China’s most creative dynasty – the Song (960-1279). This was one of China’s greatest cultural eras, as a huge working replica of an astronomical clock, made by the country’s equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci, (engineer Zhang Sixun) demonstrates. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06zyd53

Jericho
ITV: Thu 4 Feb 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. 5 / 8:
Set in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1870s, this new drams series is set in the shantytown of Jericho, home to a community that will live, thrive and die in the shadow of the viaduct they’ve been brought together to build.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/itvs-jericho-10-things-learned-10698526