A History of Britain by Simon Schama: Conquest (1000-1087)
9:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Tuesday, March 10 on BBC Four (9)
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Conquest (1000-1087)
The story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which saw King Harold beaten after leading an army worn out from fighting his brother Tostig and a horde of Vikings, to confront William the Conqueror. The Saxon defeat led to 300 years of Norman hegemony and a country plagued by massacre and famine, although the new rulers managed to introduce and keep an inventory of all land and possessions, better known as the Domesday Book
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Did You Know..
Simon Schama
(Presenter)
Born:
February 13, 1945
in
London
Best Known For:
The History of Britain series.
Early-life:
Simon Michael Schama was born in London on February 13, 1945. His father was a textile merchant and the family lived near Southend, before moving to Golders Green. He won a scholarship to Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Cricklewood, before choosing to read history at Cambridge University, where he came under the influence of eminent historian JH Plumb. Schama became a fellow at Christ's College, before moving to Brasenose College Oxford, where he wrote his first book, Patriots and Liberators, and met his wife.
Career:
The book scooped the Wolfson History Prize, and saw him offered a teaching post at Harvard. Schama continued to write during the 1980s, but it was 1989's Citizens, about the French Revolution, that saw him gain worldwide recognition. He continued to churn out novels, but also took up the post of art critic for the New Yorker magazine in 1995 for three years, while at the same time producing a biography of Rembrandt. In 2000, he returned to the UK to work on the BBC series A History of Britain. He's since presented various acclaimed documentary series and produced numerous best-selling books.
Quote:
On his presenting style: 'You shout and wave your arms around a lot when you're a little uneasy with the camera, but I think I have got a bit better.'
Trivia:
Away from history, he is a passionate fan of blues and jazz.
Martin Davidson
(Executive producer)
