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This Sceptred Isle #1
This Sceptred Isle, Vol. 1: Julius Caesar to William the Conqueror 55BC-1087
The award-winning story of Britain, from the arrival of Julius Caesar in 55BC to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, specially written for BBC Radio 4 by Christopher Lee, narrated by Anna Massey and featuring extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples read by Paul Eddington.
Britain was at the edge of the known world when, under Emperor Claudius, the Romans brought to the island of Britannia a peaceful civilisation that was to last for 400 years. But when they left, their civilisation left with them and the centuries that followed are hence usually known as the Dark Ages.
But those centuries were full of drama and action; they saw the invasion of the peoples who would become the English - the Angles, Saxons, Danes, Norwegians, and characters whose names have become legendary like Alfred the Great, Athelstan, Ethelred the Unready, Canute, Edward the Confessor, Harold and, eventually, William, Duke of Normandy - William the Conqueror.
Britain was at the edge of the known world when, under Emperor Claudius, the Romans brought to the island of Britannia a peaceful civilisation that was to last for 400 years. But when they left, their civilisation left with them and the centuries that followed are hence usually known as the Dark Ages.
But those centuries were full of drama and action; they saw the invasion of the peoples who would become the English - the Angles, Saxons, Danes, Norwegians, and characters whose names have become legendary like Alfred the Great, Athelstan, Ethelred the Unready, Canute, Edward the Confessor, Harold and, eventually, William, Duke of Normandy - William the Conqueror.
3 pages, Audio CD
First published March 18, 1996
About the author
Christopher Lee
332 books34 followersChristopher Lee was a British writer, historian, and broadcaster, best known for creating and writing the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 documentary series This Sceptred Isle. His career spanned journalism, academia, military service, and historical writing.
After an early life at sea, he studied history at London University before joining the BBC as a defence and foreign affairs correspondent, with postings in Moscow and the Middle East. He later transitioned into academia, becoming the first Quatercentenary Fellow in Contemporary History at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and conducting research at Birkbeck College. He also served in the Royal Navy's Joint Intelligence Reserve Branch, reaching the rank of captain.
Lee’s This Sceptred Isle, originally broadcast in 1995, chronicled British history from Roman times to the 20th century and was expanded with additional series covering the 20th century and the British Empire. His historical works include 1603, Nelson and Napoleon, and Monarchy, Past, Present… and Future?, as well as an abridgment of Winston Churchill's A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. He was also a prolific radio playwright, penning over 100 plays and series for BBC Radio 4.
Beyond writing, he served as a defence and foreign affairs adviser to the British Forces Broadcasting Service for 30 years and was involved in policy analysis.
He divided his time between Sussex and Florence, Italy, and was married to portrait painter Fiona Graham-Mackay. Lee passed away in 2021 at the age of 79.
After an early life at sea, he studied history at London University before joining the BBC as a defence and foreign affairs correspondent, with postings in Moscow and the Middle East. He later transitioned into academia, becoming the first Quatercentenary Fellow in Contemporary History at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and conducting research at Birkbeck College. He also served in the Royal Navy's Joint Intelligence Reserve Branch, reaching the rank of captain.
Lee’s This Sceptred Isle, originally broadcast in 1995, chronicled British history from Roman times to the 20th century and was expanded with additional series covering the 20th century and the British Empire. His historical works include 1603, Nelson and Napoleon, and Monarchy, Past, Present… and Future?, as well as an abridgment of Winston Churchill's A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. He was also a prolific radio playwright, penning over 100 plays and series for BBC Radio 4.
Beyond writing, he served as a defence and foreign affairs adviser to the British Forces Broadcasting Service for 30 years and was involved in policy analysis.
He divided his time between Sussex and Florence, Italy, and was married to portrait painter Fiona Graham-Mackay. Lee passed away in 2021 at the age of 79.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 5, 2017
This is a fast fun way to brush up on your English history, starts off with the Romans, then how the "English" invaded and finishes with William the Conqueror, I'll be getting the next series soon to continue my English history education.
February 27, 2021
A quick trip through history. This is a fascinating account of British history told in a fun, accessible way. Really easy to listen to and I find I’m learning a lot. I especially appreciate a discussion on sources and how we know what we know and where potential discrepancies within this lie. Great if you’re looking for an overview. Looking forward to volume 2!
May 12, 2017
*** ORIGIANAL REVIEW -- 9/6/16 ***
i listened to this first part of Christopher Lee's serialized radio narration of Britain's history on audiobook, ably narrated by a small cast of voice actors.
this is a brief, most-important-points-only, linear recounting of britain's history, starting with Caesar's invasion, and tip-toeing over the most-important moments of that nation's history, up through the reign of William the Conqueror.
this episode so far is -- and hopefully the entire series will prove to be overall will be -- a wonderful means to grasping the long arc of Great Britain's history, creating a fine frame on which to hang the details of the story through additional, future, reading and study, bit by bit.
if you are a lifelong student and your history is a bit shaky at this point, you may love this series.
CAVEAT LECTOR: since the narration moves so quickly, it might behoove you to listen and relisten as you are able. for myself, i've checked this initial episode out of the library once again (almost a full year after my initial listen) for a refresher before i plan to move on to episode 2.
i listened to this first part of Christopher Lee's serialized radio narration of Britain's history on audiobook, ably narrated by a small cast of voice actors.
this is a brief, most-important-points-only, linear recounting of britain's history, starting with Caesar's invasion, and tip-toeing over the most-important moments of that nation's history, up through the reign of William the Conqueror.
this episode so far is -- and hopefully the entire series will prove to be overall will be -- a wonderful means to grasping the long arc of Great Britain's history, creating a fine frame on which to hang the details of the story through additional, future, reading and study, bit by bit.
if you are a lifelong student and your history is a bit shaky at this point, you may love this series.
CAVEAT LECTOR: since the narration moves so quickly, it might behoove you to listen and relisten as you are able. for myself, i've checked this initial episode out of the library once again (almost a full year after my initial listen) for a refresher before i plan to move on to episode 2.
April 17, 2012
Really liked this brief history of Early Britain. Being a descedant of William the Conquerer made it all the more interesting.
August 7, 2022
This is an audio book from audible.
Narrated by the wonderful Ann Massey, this was a shortened narration of a history of England by Christopher Lee; taken from the same by Winston Churchill.
The history is told with humour and a gentleness by Massey which I really enjoyed, in effect, this rendition of England's early history clearly shows, through Lee's telling and Massey's narration, some of the foibles and farces of history in general via the characters who lived it.
I would recommend this to all, although I have now also purchased the unabridged audio of the same as I feel I'm going to enjoy it very much.
Narrated by the wonderful Ann Massey, this was a shortened narration of a history of England by Christopher Lee; taken from the same by Winston Churchill.
The history is told with humour and a gentleness by Massey which I really enjoyed, in effect, this rendition of England's early history clearly shows, through Lee's telling and Massey's narration, some of the foibles and farces of history in general via the characters who lived it.
I would recommend this to all, although I have now also purchased the unabridged audio of the same as I feel I'm going to enjoy it very much.
May 23, 2019
Good introduction to the earliest written history of Britain (Romans and forward to William the-Bastard-turned-Conqueror). Not the deepest of histories, obviously, as it’s 1000 years covered in 3.5 hours. But I learned a lot of new details about the Saxons and some of he background of William’s claims that I didn’t previously know.
July 21, 2017
The male narrator is the actor Paul Eddington who played the Minister/Prime Minister James Hacker in the British sitcom Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.
September 14, 2018
This is an Audiobook. There are two narrators which makes it better in some passage and more confusing in others. But it is a very interesting overview of British History. I enjoyed it a lot.
April 25, 2019
Audiobook a little dry. Narrators tone of voice was akin to a middle school history lesson.
April 12, 2021
Great summary of the early history of England.
November 24, 2022
An excellent brief sketch of the origins of Britain from Julius Caeser’s first expeditions to the Norman conquest.
June 7, 2018
Didn't listen to this one first... but finally checked it out and started the series from the beginning.
WORTH IT.
WORTH IT.
July 21, 2008
This BBC Radio 4 series is basically "British History: The Good Parts Version". It's not deep, but it does look at the high points of British history from a variety of angles, and is a great way to get to grips with the broad outline of British history. And the narration is superb.
This volume covers more than a thousand years of history in just over three hours. The succession struggles in the years before the Norman conquest make particularly interesting reading. Ever wondered just what made Aethelred the Unready so unready? Have a listen to this and find out.
This volume covers more than a thousand years of history in just over three hours. The succession struggles in the years before the Norman conquest make particularly interesting reading. Ever wondered just what made Aethelred the Unready so unready? Have a listen to this and find out.
March 30, 2010
A quick sort of overview of early English history. It doesn't go into great detail, but it's very accurate and uses a lot of chronicles and other primary sources. I recommend it for anyone who just wants the basics.
April 4, 2016
I'll never retain all of the information from this brief summary of England's history but maybe I'll remember the gist of it. Entertaining BBC radio broadcast. I can't wait to get to the next one...
May 27, 2016
This Sceptred Isle may well present British history in a positive light but it remains a joy. A gallop through the founding years of the country, providing enough detail to be interesting without getting to bogged down in the various arguments. Highly recommended.
October 16, 2012
This was good. I definitley think they should have narrowed their focus, but overall I enjoyed it. I will be keeping up with the series for sure.
March 6, 2014
A good zip through picking up just the details and leaving out conjection.
Read
January 30, 2019This is a really good review of this period, and fast. Mostly painless presentation with some matter of fact discussions.
Everyone wants there to be a King Arthur, but there's no proof, but we do know that there was a great warrior king at a time when there is no civilization of record. And apparently he fought for peace and to help keep civilization from dying completely, and if you assume that Bede was able (thanks to the great deeds of this warrior king) to write about these deeds a mere 200 years later, then yes, there was kind of a King Arthur in the 6th century or thereabouts.
Everyone wants there to be a King Arthur, but there's no proof, but we do know that there was a great warrior king at a time when there is no civilization of record. And apparently he fought for peace and to help keep civilization from dying completely, and if you assume that Bede was able (thanks to the great deeds of this warrior king) to write about these deeds a mere 200 years later, then yes, there was kind of a King Arthur in the 6th century or thereabouts.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews