Neil Oliver explores the Orkney Islands and explores the Viking ancestry of the island residents. The geneticists also compared the DNA from the residents of Norway to the residents of Orkney to determine Viking ancestry.  They also compare how the residents of Orkney look in comparison to the residents of Norway.  What was the impact of the Vikings on the bloodline of Britain?  Was there a wholesale massacre of the people or did they intermarry with the locals?

The Orkney Islands were a perfect place for the Vikings to start their invasion of Britain.  Oliver explores the history of the Viking invasions.  He looks at names and shows how they can be a help in tracing a family's origins but only on the male side of the ancestry.  He looks at what the fate the Pictish men had at the hands of the Vikings.  He looks at the Orkney-Inga Saga for answers as to the fate of the Pictish men.

Oliver also looks at a shipwreck that may have impacted the genetics of the people of Orkney Island. 

Sir Walter Bodmer's continues his work in creating a genetic map of Britain.  This concludes the series on the genetic ancestry of the British.

This episode concludes with the revelation of how Viking the residents of Orkney are.

This series would be excellent for a science class studying genetics.  For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

You can find the link for the YouTube video here.

Face of Britain Episode 3 Questions:

1. What is helping with and often enhancing archeology?
2. Where did Neil Oliver go to see Viking ancestry?
3. How did the Orkney Islands become part of Scotland?
   
4. What does the name Flett mean?
5. What does the archaeology or Orkney reveal about Viking settlement?
6. They tested the residents of what country to determine Vikings ancestry?
7. What are common Viking features?
8. What was the differences between Norwegian Faces and Orkney Faces?
9. What chromosome were the geneticists examining?
10. What percentage of Orkney’s males come from Viking ancestry?
    

Face of Britain Episode 3 Answers:

1. What is helping with and often enhancing archeology? - Genetics
2. Where did Neil Oliver go to see Viking ancestry? - Orkney Islands
3. How did the Orkney Islands become part of Scotland? - They were a wedding dowry
4. What does the name Flett mean? - Farmstead
5. What does the archaeology or Orkney reveal about Viking settlement? - The houses were square instead of round
6. They tested the residents of what country to determine Vikings ancestry? - Norway
7. What are common Viking features? - Blonde hair and blue eyes
8. What was the differences between Norwegian Faces and Orkney Faces? - Thicker faces, heavy jaw
9. What chromosome were the geneticists examining? - Y
10. What percentage of Orkney’s males come from Viking ancestry? 55%
    

Episode 2, Neil Oliver explores the genetic links in East England.  This episode is about the Anglo-Saxons and how they settled in East England.  He also discusses how language came down through the ages.

Oliver explores the how widespread the dark age invasion of Britain was.  Did they massacre the local people or did they incorporate them into the Anglo-Saxon culture?  Oliver explores the history of the invasions and discovers one of the Original Anglo-Saxon invaders.  He interviews Martin Brundle, former Formula 1 driver, about his roots.  Then he goes into the local population to see if there is a regional look to the people of East Anglia.

He leaves the English shores and explores Friesland and discovers the connection between the Old English Language and the Friesa language.  He is armed with a bit of old English and goes into a grocery store to ask for Bread, Butter and Cheese.  He is successful on his grocery trip.

At the end of the episode, How Anglo-Saxon the participants are is revealed.  Neil Oliver also reveals how Celtic he is.

This is episode especially touched me because my ancestors came from East Friesland. My aunt thought we had English ancestors because the family name could be translated as "English man." 

This series would be excellent for a science class studying genetics.  For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

You can find the link for the YouTube video here.

Face of Britain Episode 2 Questions:

1. Who came over in 1066?
2. What other clues did Neil look for in searching for British genetic origins?
3. Who were the mercenaries that came over?
4. Who was the racer who participated in the genetic study?
5. What was a distinguishing feature of the Anglo-Saxon man?
6. What is a product of history?
   
7. Where does Neil go to find the oldest form of old English?
8. What did Neil ask for in old English?
9. What is the genetic signature of East England?
10. What did Anglo-Saxon do to the Celts?

Face of Britain Episode 2 Answers:

1. Who came over in 1066? - William the Conqueror
2. What other clues did Neil look for in searching for British genetic origins? - Language clues
3. Who were the mercenaries that came over? - Anglo Saxon
4. Who was the racer who participated in the genetic study? - Martin Brundle
5. What was a distinguishing feature of the Anglo-Saxon man? - Nose, biffed nose and strong clef chin
6. What is a product of history? - Language
7. Where does Neil go to find the oldest form of old English? - Friesland
8. What did Neil ask for in old English? - Bread, Cheese, Butter
9. What is the genetic signature of East England? - Anglo Saxon
10. What did Anglo-Saxon do to the Celts? - Drove them west

In this series, Lucy Worsley explores the Myths and Fibs of King George IV and the Regency.  This is the second series of the Royal Myths Series and the second episode.  I only found four episodes of Royal Myths on YouTube.

She discusses the madness of King George III, the Prince Regent's complicated relationship with his wife Caroline and Napoleon, the Battle of Waterloo, Peterloo massacre, and how the British monarchy survived the revolutions surrounding them.  The story kicks off with a lie: the Prince of Wales secret marriage to a Catholic woman.  This marriage could effectively disinherit him from the throne due to the Act of Settlement.  Then she goes into King George III and how his madness overshadowed everything about his reign. Worsley discusses how the French Revolution had an impact on how the British handled things at home and how they suppressed the dark side of what they did to stop a revolution from happening at home.

Lucy Worsley's discussion on King George III was fascinating, I found it interesting that while the Prince of Wales was satirized, the King wasn't and that he was a figure of sympathy.  Combine this with Prince Charles' commentary on George III, you can gain a nuanced version of the king.

You can use this episode of the series in the classroom when there is a sub in the room.  Unless you want to use it as a supplement for a lecture in a history classroom.

You can highlight, copy, and paste the questions into a Word, GoogleDoc or Google Classroom document for use in school or home school.  Format it the way you want to.  All questions after formatting should fit onto one page.

You can find the link to the YouTube video here. 

Royal Myths George IV and the Regency Questions:

1. What was the royal scandal that could stop the Prince of Wales from being king?
2. Who cleared up the rumor?
3. When was King George III treated for his first bout of mental illness?
4. What satirical images were non-existent?
5. Who was portrayed in satire?
6. Who fought to avoid a regency?
7. Who image improves after his first bout of mental illness?
8. When did the image of the “Mad King” take off?
9. Who did the Prince of Wales marry?
10. Who was the Prince Regent’s nemesis?

Royal Myths George IV and the Regency  Answers:

1. What was the royal scandal that could stop the Prince of Wales from being king? - That he had secretly married a Catholic
2. Who cleared up the rumor? - Charles James Foxe, close friend of the prince
3. When was King George III treated for his first bout of mental illness? - November 1788
4. What satirical images were non-existent? - King George’s Madness
5. Who was portrayed in satire? - Prince of Wales
6. Who fought to avoid a regency? - Tories
7. Who image improves after his first bout of mental illness? - King George III
8. When did the image of the “Mad King” take off? - 20th Century / American Bicentennial
9. Who did the Prince of Wales marry? - Caroline of Brunswick
10. Who was the Prince Regent’s nemesis? - Napoleon

Episode 3 work continues on the farm as Peter, Ruth and Alex explore more possibilities to make money on the Edwardian Farm.  It is November on the Edwardian Farm.

The team plants their potato crop and use the latest in Edwardian technology in order to plant it.  They also use the tractor to do some chores around the farm such as making feed for the animals.  We also learn how the Tamar Valley was home to a hatchery.  Peter explores that part of that part of the history of the Tamar Valley.  Ruth works on cleaning and prepping the privy.

The discussion on the fish hatchery would be appropriate in the agricultural science department, especially if the school offered a class on animal science.

If you need a filler in the classroom, this is an excellent series for that use.  You aren't limited to history with this series either you can use this in a family and consumer education or a home economics class to learn a recipes or crafts.  You really see history come to life in this series and Ruth, Alex, and Peter are excellent narrators.

For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

You can find the link for the YouTube video here.  This series is also available on Amazon Prime.

Questions:

1. What was the tractor called?
2. What else did the tractor power on the farm?
3. What else was farmed in the Tamar Valley?
4. Who was a big supporter of fish farming?
5. What was found in the same building as the pigsties?
6. What does Ruth use to sanitize the privy?
7. What does Ruth use for toilet paper?
   
8. Why did Peter use glass tubes in his fish hatchery?
9. What was a new edition to the farm?
10. What does a hedge do for the farm?

Answers

1. What was the tractor called? - Ivel
2. What else did the tractor power on the farm? - A kibbler
3. What else was farmed in the Tamar Valley? - Fish
4. Who was a big supporter of fish farming? - Duke of Bedford
5. What was found in the same building as the pigsties? - Privy
   
6. What does Ruth use to sanitize the privy? - Caustic soda
   
7. What does Ruth use for toilet paper? - Newspapers
8. Why did Peter use glass tubes in his fish hatchery? - To tell apart bad eggs
9. What was a new edition to the farm? - Gramophone
10. What does a hedge do for the farm? - Boundary and a habitat for wild life
    

Episode 4: Ruth, Peter and Alex continue in their efforts to make money for the farm.  Peter and Alex focus their efforts on the sea while Ruth cleans a historic house.

Christmas is coming to the farm and the boys are trying their hand at fishing for crabs.  However the weather and waves keep them away.  In the mean time the boys have a cow butchered.  Ruth in the mean time is looking for extra income for the farm and cleans a historic house using Edwardian techniques and technology.  She gets a new bike to help her out with transportation.  While Ruth is away, the boys will play.  At the end of the episode, they participate in an Edwardian Christmas church service and celebrate Christmas Edwardian farm style.

This would be a good episode to show around Christmas time in the classroom.  A work sheet wouldn't need to be required, unless you have a sub in the room.

If you need a filler in the classroom, this is an excellent series for that use.  You aren't limited to history with this series either you can use this in a family and consumer education or a home economics class to learn a recipes or crafts.  You really see history come to life in this series and Ruth, Alex, and Peter are excellent narrators.

For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

You can find the link for the YouTube video here.  This series is also available on Amazon Prime.

Episode 4 Questions:

1. What was Ruth’s new toy?
2. What did Alex hope to catch?
3. Where did Ruth work?
4. What type of staircase did the women servants use?
5. What was the sluice room used for?
6. What was an innovation Ruth used to clean the carpets?
7. While Ruth was away, what meal did Peter prepare for Alex?
8. How long did the butchered cow hang before it was cut?
9. What happened to the cow’s hide after it was butchered?
10. How many lobster pots were left out?

Episode 4 Answers:

1. What was Ruth’s new toy? - bicycle
2. What did Alex hope to catch? - lobsters and crabs
3. Where did Ruth work? - Lahnhydrock
4. What type of staircase did the women servants use? - wooden staircase
5. What was the sluice room used for? - Getting rid of human waste
6. What was an innovation Ruth used to clean the carpets? - vacuum
7. While Ruth was away, what meal did Peter prepare for Alex? - Oysters and Steak / carpetbag steak
8. How long did the butchered cow hang before it was cut? - Four weeks
9. What happened to the cow’s hide after it was butchered?  - Sold to a tannery
10. How many lobster pots were left out? - 6

Episode 3 - Monarch to Monster

The series concludes with a look at the medical history of Henry VIII and how it may or may not have impacted his mental state.  Rebellions take place in the north due to changes in religion and Henry VIII does not react well to that.  Henry VIII soon becomes the large man history knows him as.  His advisor Thomas Cromwell has to start looking over his shoulder as an arranged marriage does not bring Henry VIII joy or a spare heir. 

The medical side of things with Henry VIII, is very interesting and could be a three part documentary too, this particular episode tackles the ulcer on his leg as well as the possibility that he suffered from diabetes.  Diabetes could account for the madness.  It also discusses what was used to move Henry around the palace.  There is another documentary that tried to tackle the medical issues, and this is a documentary that Lucy Worsley took part in.  This is a bonus documentary that you can check out and the link is here.

If you need some research into Henry VIII for a class lecture, I recommend you use this documentary just for the fact it offers another perspective on Henry VIII, more so than the typical "Henry VIII was a madman."

I created several questions to go with this documentary.  Just copy and paste them into a word document to distribute in the classroom just in case you decide to use this series in the classroom.  Since there's a lot available out there on Henry VIII, I want the student to have a chance to reflect on what they learned about Henry VIII.  You can format anyway you want. 

For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

Link to the YouTube video is here.

Questions

1. Who advised Henry VIII to keep his leg wound open?
2. What were things the court used to move Henry VIII around the palace?
3. What could be a factor in Henry VIII’s paranoia?
4. What was the rebellion in the north called?
5. Who’s luck was changing in the Court of Henry VIII?
6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

Answers

1. Who advised Henry VIII to keep his leg wound open? - Doctors
2. What were things the court used to move Henry VIII around the palace? - Primitive lift, wheelchair, whistle
3. What could be a factor in Henry VIII’s paranoia? - Diabetes
4. What was the rebellion in the north called? - Pilgrimage of Grace
5. Who’s luck was changing in the Court of Henry VIII? - Thomas Cromwell
6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

Episode 2 - Bloodlust and Boleyn's

Henry VIII meets Anne Boleyn and falls head over heals in love with Anne Boleyn, a new arrival from France to the English court.  She is not a classical English beauty, but is intelligent and witty.  Henry VIII is charmed by her.  She is determined to keep Henry at arm's length, was this a ploy to become queen or was it simply a matter of not having a choice? Their love story causes much upheaval for England as Henry VIII decides to divorce Catherine to marry Anne in order to get a son.  A son is the only person who can succeed to the English throne.  England's religious are thrown into turmoil as Henry VIII breaks with the Catholic Church.  Now, courtiers who thought themselves friends of the King must constantly look over their shoulders. The historians exploring Henry VIII as a Monarch go to an interesting source to learn about the relationship between Anne and Henry.

Things with Anne do not go according to plan as she only produces a daughter.  This time the solution Henry VIII comes up with entails getting rid of an unwanted wife...permanently.  Henry VIII starts his slide into madness and will become the Monster history makes him out to be.

If you need some research into Henry VIII for a class lecture, I recommend you use this documentary just for the fact it offers another perspective on Henry VIII, more so than the typical "Henry VIII was a madman."

I created several questions to go with this documentary.  Just copy and paste them into a word document to distribute in the classroom just in case you decide to use this series in the classroom.  Since there's a lot available out there on Henry VIII, I want the student to have a chance to reflect on what they learned about Henry VIII.  You can format anyway you want. 

For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

Link to the YouTube video is here.

Questions

1. Who did Henry VIII want to marry?
2. Where are the letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn kept?
3. Who was Henry VIII’s secret weapon in spreading the new religion?
4. Who many monasteries were closed under Henry VIII?
5. Who Henry VIII’s former friend that was executed?
6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

Answers

1. Who did Henry VIII want to marry? - Anne Boleyn
2. Where are the letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn kept? - Vatican
3. Who was Henry VIII’s secret weapon in spreading the new religion? - Thomas Cromwell
4. Who many monasteries were closed under Henry VIII? - 563 Monasteries
5. Who Henry VIII’s former friend that was executed? - Thomas More

     6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

King Henry VIII - this king has had more documentaries and TV shows about him than....  I would say the current queen but that's not true.  It's fascinating to see the endless angles the various historians take on this most famous English King and we will still be talking about him in 3030. 

A new documentary was released on Henry VIII in 2020 called Henry VIII - Man, Monarch, Monster.  The first episode covers Henry VIII as a man and how his childhood impacted the way he ruled.  The historians cover how his mother influenced him growing up, that he grew up in a female environment and how is mother's death changed his life.  He wasn't meant to be king, but then his brother Arthur died.  His childhood changed and he started to learn what would make him a king and how to govern according to the rules and traditions of England.

Henry VIII's first acts as king was to have some of his father's oldest advisors arrested, which signaled a new start for the English and they called the start of the reign as a new dawn in England.  It was fascinating to learn that they waited 48 hours before proclaiming Henry VIII King.  Nowadays, that would be unheard of if a political leader died.  Everyone was thrilled with the new King.  His second act was to marry Catherine of Aragon and together they would oversee a new England.  The historians go over old documents in order to get into the mind of Henry VIII.

If you need some research into Henry VIII for a class lecture, I recommend you use this documentary just for the fact it offers another perspective on Henry VIII, more so than the typical "Henry VIII was a madman."

I created several questions to go with this documentary.  Just copy and paste them into a word document to distribute in the classroom just in case you decide to use this series in the classroom.  Since there's a lot available out there on Henry VIII, I want the student to have a chance to reflect on what they learned about Henry VIII.  You can format anyway you want. 

For use in the classroom: just highlight, copy and paste into a word document or a google document for use in the classroom.  You can easily format these questions to your specifications.

Link to the YouTube Video.

Episode 1 - Rise of the Tyrant

1. What was Henry VIII’s childhood nickname?
2. Who was the biggest Influence in Henry VIII’s early life?
3. Who does Henry VIII marry when his father dies?
4. How long did it take to proclaim Henry VIII King?
5. Who were arrested as soon as Henry VIII was King?
6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

Episode 1 - Rise of the Tyrant Answers

1. What was Henry VIII’s childhood nickname? - Harry
2. Who was the biggest Influence in Henry VIII’s early life? - His mother, the Queen
3. Who does Henry VIII marry when his father dies? - Catherine of Aragon
4. How long did it take to proclaim Henry VIII King? - 48 Hours
5. Who were arrested as soon as Henry VIII was King? - Richard Empson and Edward Dudley
6. List three new things you learned about Henry VIII

Writing a paper on Queens or Princesses for a class?  Check out History of Royal Women website/database.  It's a perfect database for the history of Royal Women.

You'll discover a variety of royal women and their lives.  I remember when the authors first started the blog, they had their set up by countries.  In the past five years they really expanded their content and now sort royal women according to the countries where they ruled and now have a drop down menu of the royal women.  When you click the country it will take you to a list of the royal women and then from there you can pick an article to read.

There are special series where one royal woman is focused on for the year, the authors highlight places to visit and what books have been published about royalty.  The first royal woman of the year was in 2016 and it was a year of blogging about Queen Mary I of England.  Each blog in the "Year of Series" features facts about their life, any children that were born to that queen, life facts, reign facts, and any thing interesting about the royal.  In 2018, it was the year of the Last Romanovs, since it was the 100th anniversary of the death of Nicholas and Alexandra.  Not only did they feature Nicholas and Alexandra and their family, but the other Romanov women who were killed due to the Russian Revolution.

If you need a book for your reading list, then check out their suggestions.  If you're taking a trip, then look at the places where they visited to see what you would like to add to your itinerary.   If you need something for a class, then check out their suggestions and their articles.  Then check out the their sources to get more information for that research paper.

Each article is well written and thought out.  The authors are excellent at citing their sources and are fantastic at incorporating photos into their blog.  It also helps that Historical Dramas are a popular genre and that there's excellent period dramas out there.  When there are no paintings or illustrations of the royal, they use content from period dramas. They also have a Google Translate button, so even if you don't speak English you'll be able to find the information you need.

I didn't realize that South Korea still had a royal family and that there was an American that married into it.  In school I had read the Royal Diary, Seodonk, the Queen of Silla and it was through this blog I learned about some additional Korean royalty including Consort Jang.  This lead me to the Korean Series Dong-Yi.  They authors just recently posted an article about the Royal Women of the German TV series Maximilian.

2020 was the year of Queen Wilhelmina, so what will 2021 bring, we'll find out soon. 

Teachers, students and homeschoolers will be able to find something on this website.  Even if you're not a teacher, student or homeschooler, and curious about royal women this is an excellent website to satisfy your curiosity.  I highly recommend that if you need a quick background on a royal woman for a high school paper head on over to History of Royal Women.

Episode 2 of Full Steam Ahead:  Railroads became people movers on top of moving goods across England.  The first railroad cars for people were very primitive and some enterprising people started creating more comfortable cars.  Ginn, Goodman, and Langladas explore this new world of railroads transporting people.

Questions and Answers are below.  The Series is available on YouTube.

For use in the classroom, just highlight, copy and paste into a word document.  This series is available on YouTube.

How many million nomadic workers worked on the railroad.

What type of tree used to make sleepers?

Where did England import wood for the railroad?

What were the early train seats based on?

How fast could trains go?

What were the train cushions made from?

Who was the head of the new railroad workforce?

Who was responsible for passenger safety?

What was put on the track to alert the train of a train in trouble?

What help make trains safer?

How many million nomadic workers worked on the railroad.
Quarter of a million

What type of tree used to make sleepers?
Oak/hardwood

Where did England import wood for the railroad?
North America

What were the early train seats based on?
Church Pews

How fast could trains go?
65 mph

What were the train cushions made from?
horsehair

Who was the head of the new railroad workforce?
Station Master

Who was responsible for passenger safety?
Guard

What was put on the track to alert the train of a train in trouble?
Denonator

What help make trains safer?
Lights