King and Conqueror

Greenfinch

I gave up after five minutes. DH who is a historian felt that without background knowledge it could be difficult to follow. Lots of names as OP said. “ Here comes the King” Which king ? Expecting it to be the King of England , it turns out to be the King of France. Additionally Edward the Confessor was portrayed negatively whereas he was apparently a much more honourable character. Does it matter? Yes. There should be some authenticity even in a TV drama. Thumbs down !

The portrayal of Edward the Confessor was ridiculous. Obviously written by someone whose history consisted of “A day in the life of a chimney sweep” with no real depth at all.

Thank goodness for Sister John, despite her very Scottish RC bias, and Mrs Grimes who brought history alive for us in senior school.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202508/medium-cpf8vo-bayeuxheader.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202508/medium-4oq0yc-me014a-large.jpg

I've no idea about the type of horses, but in Bayeux this year I had to avert young DGD's eyes from certain parts of their anatomy. 🤣

As you were ........

Sussexborn I think all history pre recordable by camera or sound was always written down by people who see things from only one perspective. Unless we can actually see or hear what went on we can only take what we think is a more acceptable interpretation to us, think of Richard III, we'll never know what actually happened.

Allira I tried.

Totally underwhelmed. Historically inaccurate and absolutely ridiculous. Very disappointing.

Well, it can't be as ridiculous as 'The Tudors' - Henry VIII was on the verge of being anorexic and his famous red hair was conspicuous by it's absence. Historical accuracy was scarce too.

mabon2

I noticed a "clinker" boat, they were not built until the 1800s.

I don’t know where you got that ridiculous idea🤷‍♀️
What do you think the vikings were using.
I can only assume you are muddled with what a clinker boat is.

missdeke

Sussexborn I think all history pre recordable by camera or sound was always written down by people who see things from only one perspective. Unless we can actually see or hear what went on we can only take what we think is a more acceptable interpretation to us, think of Richard III, we'll never know what actually happened.

Allira I tried.

missdeke I made the mistake of asking DH and some time later my eyes had glazed over and I was thinking of tea and cake 😁
Although he does make it more interesting than Miss C. did at school.

petra

mabon2

I noticed a "clinker" boat, they were not built until the 1800s.

I don’t know where you got that ridiculous idea🤷‍♀️
What do you think the vikings were using.
I can only assume you are muddled with what a clinker boat is.

Live and learn!
Viking clinker boat

We quite liked it.

I'm enjoying it, despite having to tweak the sound from time to time and a lot of it taking place in the dark. I watched it with my tablet beside me to check who was who from time to time.

Oh dear, I'm glad I didn't waste time watching it. A pity as I'm another fan of James Norton.
So often these days, I find myself watching QVC because there's nothing new to watch.

Had quite a damning review on Must Watch, too. Interestingly they said a lot of younger people have started to use subtitles when they watch tv; possibly something to do with them reading their mobile phones all the time. Also said they’re quite good for young children learning to read. At least the series is making me read up on a period of history I didn’t know much about ie the lead up to 1066.

the lead up to 1066
I agree, I'd not learnt much about all the background period to this.

I am usually excited about historical programmes but I turned this one off after 15 minutes.

I’m going to stick with it. Supposedly the first two episodes are just setting the scene and it gets better.

I watched the first two episodes, may persevere despite the darkness and confusion. Kept getting Harold and William mixed up.

A good article in my newspaper yesterday, analysing the adaptation, saying what they got right, what may have happened, what definitely didn't happen and what they got completely wrong. Think I shall have to keep it next to me while watching future episodes.

I was going to make a comment about the death of Edward’s mother, Emma, but it would risk a spoiler for those who haven’t persevered that far yet. All I will say is !

rubysong

I'm enjoying it, despite having to tweak the sound from time to time and a lot of it taking place in the dark. I watched it with my tablet beside me to check who was who from time to time.

Well, of course, they didn't have electricity in those days

(I'll get me coat)

MayBee70

I’m going to stick with it. Supposedly the first two episodes are just setting the scene and it gets better.

It couldn’t get much worse, or maybe it could 😂

I might check online first before watching. Yes, DH did explain it but unless I see it written down I can't get fixed in my mind who is who (apart from the main characters) who married whom, who is someone's sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, step-mother, why they went to Denmark etc.

I did go to the beach where they landed once years ago.

I wonder who was forecasting the weather in those days?

They're all a bit dodgy, aren't they, even the one in Flanders. Lots of back stabbing, literally, and scheming. Then some of them make up with each other for a bit, but only if it's in their interests. It's a timeless theme!

I'd forgotten Edgar Ætheling, proclaimed King but never crowned, so there were four Kings in 1066.

escaped

They're all a bit dodgy, aren't they, even the one in Flanders. Lots of back stabbing, literally, and scheming. Then some of them make up with each other for a bit, but only if it's in their interests. It's a timeless theme!

Much the same as we’ve had for centuries 😂

I don't know much about that period of history but I enjoyed the series....binged watched it all. Didn't like the actress playing Matilda though.

I’m finding the History extra 4 part podcast very informative. It’s all so complicated with so many people trying to become king.