A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts

By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Bucholz

Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

During the 229-year period from 1485 to 1714, England transformed itself from a minor feudal state into what has been called "the first modern society" and emerged as the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world.

Those years hold a huge and captivating story. The English survived repeated epidemics and famines, one failed invasion and two successful ones, two civil wars, a series of violent religious reformations and counter-reformations, and confrontations with two of the most powerful monarchs on Earth, Louis XIV of France and Philip II of Spain. But they did much more than survive. They produced a great culture, giving the world the ideas of John Locke, the plays of Shakespeare, the wit of Swift, the poetry of Milton, the buildings of Christopher Wren, the science of Isaac Newton, and the King James Bible, to name a very few. And, despite the cruelty, bloodshed, and religious suppression they visited upon so many, they ultimately left behind something else: the political principles and ideals for which we-and so many of them - would work and die, and on which we would build our own nation.

Now you can watch this remarkable panorama of society, economics, religion, and politics unfold in a series of 48 transfixing lectures by a justifiably honored teacher who takes you into the lives of not only Britain's ruling royal houses, but the English people themselves, describing how they were born, worked, played, worshiped, fell in love, and died.

Cinematic in their presentation and detail - whether describing the likely thoughts of Charles I on the way to his execution or the overheard weeping of Queen Anne after she fired her Lord Treasurer - these lectures are as memorable as the history they describe.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

Very entertaining history!

I gained a great understanding of how a constitutional monarchy developed in England, while listening to a professor who obviously enjoyed his subject immensely. He was very engaging as well as extremely informative. I highly recommend the series.

One of the best

Even if you're not familiar with this era - or have it mapped into your mental DNA like the rest of my Countrymen - this is one of the best. I wish there were more Bucholz TGG's on Audible. I finished with a new found perspective and warmth for a period that I hadn't read around too much - Carolingian England. And Charles II really does come alive, like the "talk show host" Bucholz compares him to. Henry VIII is more dour, moody, and dangerous, and Elizabeth's patina of "Blanchett-ness" is given a much needed sense of perspective.
For a backwater Kingdom who's peers later gave all their guts and garters to flesh out the characters of Blackadder, it's a brilliant weaving of a story of This Sceptered Isle and all the sculduggery in between.

Great

I loved it. A must get for any one who loves history. This was great.

Professor sounds like Ryan Reynolds.

Great presentation of fascinating era. And... it sounds like Deadpool holding class. Enjoy that mental picture.

Not a fan of English history? You wii be.

Robert Bucholz is one of the best professors on the Great Courses and that is saying a lot because they have a number of them.
This course leaves you wanting to learn more about this period of time as well as the time period before and after. There are so many issues today that have their genesis in this time period.

overwhelming info

there is so much info in this lecture. Im going to listen to this again. fascinating to see the parallels with modern politicians.

Excellent

The is an very good set of lectures. What is taught here remains relevant today.

Outstanding- Perhaps Definitive

From a learning standpoint, this is one of the best in English history that I’ve read. Certainly the best of any of these courses I’ve listened to.

Eminently understandable and listenable, the listener is not talked down to. Strongest recommendation

Better than any fiction

I listen to history fiction books for fun and entertainment. This true history course was as good or better than any books I have on this subject. Narrator is excellent!

Great period, great lectures

Professor Bucholz really made this period come to life. Really good structure and whenever necessary he reminds us of particular details we need. He's got a delightful and subtle sense of humour. He also connects events and puts them into context.