BBC - Days that Shook the World Series 2 (2004) Part 10 Affairs of the Crown The Execution of Anne Boleyn/The Abdication of Edward VIII

Through dramatic reconstructions, eye-witness accounts and archive footage, each episode in the “Days That Shook the World” TV series pieces together the thrilling stories of the landmarks of our time; the moments in history - human tragedies, scientific breakthroughs and calamitous events that have profoundly affected the way the world thinks and acts. Days that Shook the World examines some of the most important days in history, creating a detailed and forensic analysis of 24 hours that changed the world. It covers some of the biggest themes in World history - from the history of flight, to the rise and fall of Communism. This fresh and unusual BBC production explores mankind's defining moments. A gripping anatomy of some of the most important days in history, hour by hour as they unfolded. Incisive, fascinating & dramatic, the complete series builds a compelling picture of the seismic moments in world history. From ancient Egypt to the Berlin Wall, these episodes look at events that had a lasting impact on human history, from technological breakthroughs to political tragedies. Finding new angles and putting events into historical context, the series spans centuries and continents with one common thread On each of these days, the lives of millions were changed forever. Incredible breakthroughs, acts of shocking brutality, and stories of hope form the themes of these compelling programs. As the clock ticks, the events of the day climax, and we learn just what happened and how the day affected the course of history. The series focuses on events that defined the 20th century, from the discovery of the first dinosaur remains to the Hindenburg disaster. The programmes also investigate Yuri Gagarin's space flight; the Great Train Robbery; the abdication of Edward VIII; the events leading to the fictional Day Of The Jackal; the theft of the Crown Jewels; the hoax that was Piltdown Man; and disasters such as the Oklahoma bombing and the Challenger explosion.

A Lion Television Production for BBC in Association with The History Channel

Part 10 Affairs of the Crown The Execution of Anne Boleyn/The Abdication of Edward VIII

The stories of two royal scandals - the trial and execution of Henry VIII's second queen Anne Boleyn in 1536 and the abdication from the throne in of Edward VIII in favour of his lover, American divorcee Wallis Simpson. THE EXECUTION OF ANNE BOLEYN. A reconstruction of the final hours of Anne Boleyn , who was crowned Queen in 1533 and executed after falling victim to a plot. London, England. It is May 19, 1536. Queen Anne is under arrest in the Tower of London. The woman responsible for scandalising England and causing the country's split with the Roman Catholic Church has been condemned for adultery and treason. Many of her subjects also consider her to be a witch. After just three years of marriage to King Henry VIII, 36-year-old Anne Boleyn is about to become the first English Queen in history to be executed. Affairs of the Crown tells the story of a queen who changed history, but paid the price. When Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England in May 1533, it was the moment of triumph for a woman who had gambled everything on the love of Henry VIII. Henry had been married for years to Catherine of Aragon, but had only a daughter and a barren wife to show for it when he met Anne. It was more than her beauty that attracted him; she was young and fertile. Anne was also clever, and was not prepared to become just the King's mistress. THE ABDICATION OF EDWARD VIII. When King Edward VIII fell in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson the British monarchy was plunged into crisis. On 10 December 1936 the king was forced to choose between Simpson and the crown. Behind the scenes Wallis's solicitor was attempting to persuade her to withdraw her divorce application while the intervention of a solicitor's clerk threatened to prevent the couple from ever marrying.

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