Lucy Worsley Investigates

History Series / 1 Season

Lucy Worsley re-investigates some of the most dramatic chapters in British history. She uncovers forgotten witnesses, re-examines old evidence and follows new clues.

Get Cascade PBS Passport to watch

Preview

30s

In this series, Lucy Worsley re-investigates some of the most dramatic and brutal chapters in British history. She uncovers forgotten witnesses, re-examines old evidence and follows new clues, to bring a fresh and modern perspective to some of the most enduring historical mysteries. This season, she explores Jack the Ripper, the Gunpowder Plot, William the Conqueror and Bloody Mary.

The Imprisonment of Agnes

4m 1s

Agnes is brought to Edinburgh, imprisoned and interrogated at the Palace of Holyroodhouse where King James lived. Agnes meets the king, and Newes from Scotland gives the account that she stood up to the king and denied being a witch.

The National Museum of Scotland

3m 47s

Lucy visits the National Museum of Scotland storeroom which houses amulets and charms. Amulets were common and a mix of religious belief coexisting with the supernatural. Lucy is shown a seedpod known as "Mary's nut" which was an amulet used in childbirth as protection.

Lucy Visits the Suffolk Archives

4m 17s

Lucy visits Suffolk Archives to look at the Court Rolls for Walsham le Willows, which shows a spike in death taxes being paid due to deaths from the black death. The Rolls are a microstudy for all of Britain during the black death pandemic.

How the Black Death Spread

2m 43s

Lucy visits a pub in Walsham and draws a map of English ports to show how the black death spread from Europe. She reads from a book which details how the black death traveled from Genovese ships to Marseille and Avignon where half the people have died. France is only 24 hours away from Walsham le Willows.

Episode 2 Preview | Madness of King George

30s

How did George III’s mental illness change Britain? Lucy Worsley uncovers Royal papers and explores how the assassination attempt on his life by a mentally ill subject changed psychiatry forever.

King George III Grants New Rights to Catholics

2m 47s

Lucy discusses accounts in the newspaper of riots that were caused by King George III's new rights for Catholics. Lucy notes how revolutions were happening all over the world during this time, and that assassination attempts were being made against leaders. King George III may have felt that he was losing the Empire as a result of revolution in America.

Robert Greville's Diary Reveals Secrets About King George

3m 14s

The Royal Archivist brings out a diary at Windsor Castle for Lucy to read. It is the diary of Robert Grevell, the king's equerry. Lucy learns about George's ill health and how on one occasion he talked constantly for 19 hours. A statement is sent to Mr. Pitt the prime minister to say that the king is "entirely" deranged.

King George III Attempts to Rebrand as an Accessible King

2m 12s

King George III is under pressure to make the monarchy work in this new era. He styles himself as a new kind of accessible king who would listen to the public, and he made it possible for people to petition the king to have their issues heard. Lucy tells of an event where the king was attacked by a petitioner - a woman who was waiting for him with knife concealed in a petition.

Thomas Moore's Account of the Murder

3m 24s

Lucy wants to interrogate the sources she has to get to the bottom of the mystery. Thomas Moore's account of the murder is so specific that she wonders where he received his information from. She visits Buckfast Abbey where there has been new research into Thomas Moore's text.

Lucy Visits St. Paul's Cross

3m 53s

Lucy visits St Paul's cross and tells us about a preacher who says Edward was already married to another and that young Edward was illegitimate with no claim to the throne. Richard takes the throne and is crowned king while the princes are still in the Tower.

A Visit to Stony Stratford

3m 10s

Lucy travels to Stony Stratford and visits a house where Edward was brought by his uncle, Anthony Woodville. Richard decides to arrest Woodville, leaving Edward alone and in the custody of other uncle, Richard. Richard feels threatened by the Woodvilles and their claim on the throne.

Supported by