Episode 1: From The Prison To The Palace
Presented by eminent historian David Starkey, Elizabeth explores the turbulent life and times of England’s Virgin Queen by augmenting newly shot re-creations of famous events with artistic interpretations of Good Queen Bess glimpses of British landmarks and period artifacts and incisive passages quoted from historical records.
Elizabeth’s reign began in the late 16th century with her beloved England threatened from both without and within.
As this four-hour documentary demonstrates she rose to these challenges most notably building the Royal Navy into a world-renowned fighting force that defeated the Spanish Armada and presiding over a cultural renaissance distinguished by the rise of William Shakespeare.
Starkey’s commentary paints a vivid picture the Elizabethan era and also describes the private struggles of a queen whose legendary devotion to her people took a huge toll on her personal life.
