Ray’s History Radio & TV Picks. No.2016/17.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses – Henry VI Part I
BBC Two: Sat 7 May 2016, 21.00 – 22.50.rd III, with Dame Judi Dench as his mother, Cecily, Duchess of York.
The BBC’s sweeping adaptation of Shakespeare’s history plays returns for a lavish second series. We pick up England’s messy dynastic history with the reign of Henry VI, as played by Tom Sturridge.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07bgnf9

The Rest Is History
BBC Radio 4: Sun 8 May 2016, 19.15 – 19.00. 6 / 6.
The historical panel show which Frank Skinner hosts and historian Kate Williams offers an expert perspective, This week Frank casts a characteristically wry look at Bloody Mary, Drake’s drum and legendary thief of the crown jewels, Captain Blood with guests Josie Long and Kevin Eldon. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079mhls

The Silk Road
BBC Four: Sun 8 May 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. Rpt: Wed 11 May 2016, 20.00 – 21.00. 2 / 3.
Dr Sam Willis continues his adventure along history’s most famous trade route. As he reaches central Asia and the mountain passes of Tajikistan, Willis discovers more about the historical characters and incredible innovations of an often-overlooked region. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03qb25g

Ran (1985)
BBC Four: Sun 8 May 2016, 22.30 – 01.05. Feature film drama.
Akira Kurosawa’s epic masterpiece is a reworking of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in 16th centuiry Japan.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014pyx1

During Wind and Rain: A British History in Weather
BBC Radio 4: Mon 9 to Fri 13 May 2016. Daily 13.45 – 14.00. 1 to 5 of 10.
Alexandra Harris examines the British people’s ongoing relationship with the weather, from Anglo-Saxon descriptions of a wintry world to Romantic odes about the power of storms.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079ndwy

The Ideas that made Us.
BBC Radio 4: Tue 10 May 2016, 9.30 – 10.00. 4 / 5: Irony
Bettany Hughes examines irony in her archaeology of philosophy in a club where it’s banned and in the studios of Radio 4’s Today programme. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04v3cxf

Great Lives: Richard the Lionheart
BBC Radio 4: Tue 10 May 2016, 16.30 – 17.00.
The medieval crusader king is nominated by children’s TV personality (and unexpected history graduate) Timmy Mallett. With the help of presenter Matthew Parris and historian Helen Castor, Mallett examines the reality behind Richard’s legend and investigates the theory that the warrior king was in fact gay.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079pr90

A Very British Map: The Ordnance Survey Story.
BBC 4: Tue 10 May 2016, 22.05 – 23.05. Repeat of 2015 Timeshift, Series 15 Episode 2.
For over 200 years, Ordnance Survey has mapped every square mile of the British Isles, capturing not just the contours and geography of our nation, but of our lives. Originally intended for military use, OS maps were used during wartime to help locate enemy positions. In peacetime, they helped people discover and explore the countryside. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06b36q3
Handmade on the Silk Road
BBC Four: Wed 11 May 2016, 19.30 – 20.00. 2 / 3:
The Wood Carver.
This series focuses on traditional crafts associated with the ancient trade route. For over 30 years Shavkat Jumanijozov has been working with wood in his workshop in Khiva in Uzbekistan, making doors, chests and impressive wooden columns. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079zyb8

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire without Limit
BBC Two: Wed 11 May 2016, 21.00 – 22.00. 3 / 4.
In her exploration of the Roman Empire’s unparalleled success, Classics professor Mary Beard turns to the question of Roman citizenship. She paints a vivid picture of the empire as a place of thriving and complex hybrid cultures. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07bkn8x

The Cultural Revolution
BBC Radio 3: Wed 11 May 2016, 22.00 – 22.45
Rana Mitter is joined by the historians Frank Dikötter, Patricia Thornton and Kerry Brown, and by the writers Xinran and Xiaolu Guo, to revisit the Chinese Cultural Revolution 50 years on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079mcg9

In Our Time: Titus Oates and his ‘Popish Plot’
BBC Radio 4: Thu 12 May 2016, 9.00 – 9.45
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Titus Oates who, with Israel Tonge, spread rumours of a Catholic plot to assassinate Charles II. From 1678, they went to great lengths to support their scheme, forging evidence and identifying the supposed conspirators. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079rbcj

Peaky Blinders
BBC Two: Thu 12 May 2016, 21.00 – 22.00.
Gambling, liquor and fistfights abound in the slick gangster drama set in 1920s Birmingham. After Tommy’s wedding day the Shelby family’s quest to go global resumes, while life back home becomes increasingly dangerous. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079vtpm

The Anglo-Irish Century
BBC Radio 4: Fri 13 May 2016, 11.00 – 11.30. 4 / 4: It’s Good to Talk
In the final programme of Diarmaid Ferriter’s series the story moves from the darkest days of the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland by way of the Sunningdale agreement, the false dawns of Margaret Thatcher’s era, the Downing Street Declaration and the Good Friday peace process.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079rfwz

Sources: Radio Times / History Extra