Main content

In her story of Britain's imported German dynasty, Lucy Worsley shows how Britain's new ruling family fought the French, the Jacobites and each other, all at the same time.

Dr Lucy Worsley's story of the first Georgian kings reaches the final years of George II's reign. With extensive access to artworks in the Royal Collection, she shows how Britain's new ruling family fought the French, the Jacobites and each other, all at the same time. But while George very publicly bickered with his troublesome son Frederick, Prince of Wales, he also led from the front on the battlefield - the last British king to do so - and helped turn his adopted nation into a global superpower.

What would have seemed an unlikely outcome when the Georges first arrived from Hanover was achieved on the back of a strong navy, a dubious slave trade and a powerful new entrepreneurial spirit that owed much to the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Available now

1 hour

Signed Audio described

Last on

Wed 3 Jun 2020 02:35

Music Played

  • Yann Tiersen

    7 Pm

  • Julian Fauth

    Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down

  • Nick Cave, Warren Ellis

    Moving On

  • Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

    Song for Jesse

  • Ludovico Einaudi

    Le Onde

  • George Frideric Handel

    Dixit Dominus Domino Meo

Dr. Andrew Thompson on King George II

Dr. Andrew Thompson on King George II
Series consultant, and biographer of King George II, Dr. Andrew Thompson discusses how George II, by avoiding major upset or conflict, was actually an extremely successful monarch.

Kathryn Jones on 18th Century designer Nicholas Sprimont

Kathryn Jones on 18th Century designer Nicholas Sprimont
Kathryn Jones,听curator of Decorative Arts, Royal Collection Trust, on her design hero Nicholas Sprimont. Sprimont created some incredible and iconic pieces in metal and porcelain

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Lucy Worsley
Series Producer Sebastian Barfield
Executive Producer Michael Poole
Producer Linda Sands
Director Linda Sands

Broadcasts

Featured in...