She-Wolves: England's Early Queens

Valuable insight
An intelligent, and compelling series of three one hour documentaries by Dr Helen Castor who demonstrates a passion, understanding and deep knowledge of her subject. She focuses on the reigns of 7 phenomenal women, Queens of England. In a time when power was seen as the prerogative of men, the exercise of power by a woman was seen as unnatural, unfeminine and even monstrous and the early queens such as Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine , Isabel of France and Margaret of Anjou were vilified as she-wolves, often demonstrating power and waging war, and certainly displaying ruthlessness but no differently from many kings of the same time.

All of these women were certainly multi-faceted, all , with the exception of the ill fated Lady Jane Grey, were capable of great ruthlessness. But perhaps Dr Castor if incorrect when she insinuates that Matilda was driven out of London because the people because the people did not want a woman ruler , when it was in fact because of the...

She-Wolves rife with intrigue, murder and naked ambition
Women throughout history who have expressed any inkling of ambition have traditionally been disparaged by the world's predominantly paternalistic societies as either harlots or traitors to their own sex. Britain's women who would rule were no different and branded as she-wolves by the men who sought to claim sovereignty even without the prerequisite royal blood line. It is the lives of these women of Britain that are explored in Acorn Media's series "She-Wolves: England's Early Queens" based on a book of the same name by medieval scholar Dr. Helen Castor. Castor produced the series for the BBC and serves as its host throughout the program.

In opening remarks, Castor points out that men rose to power by demonstrating their superiority in military leadership and prowess as warriors. But women in the royal line of succession were often ignored or married off to males deemed unfit because of fragile health or mental instability so other powerful men could assert their...

Early English female monarchy strive to rule
Fascinating UK history presented skillfully. An educational, but entertaining look at Medieval-Tudor ladies of the ruling monarchy. Footage showing reenactments, art, current locations, historical sites, maps, photo stills, artifacts, interior architectural views, and musical background all contribute to the narration (SUBTITLED) telling this history.
Intellectual enchantment.
"HOW FAR WE'VE COME, & HOW LITTLE HAS CHANGED"
Narrator, host, and writer of the book, Dr. Helen Castor separates from hundreds of years of rule, the 7 earliest women to challenge the idea that women are too weak to rule. Her book
She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth,
UK Book of the Year in 2010 is the She-Wolves DVD basis. Her vocabulary is an intellectual challenge occasionally, but doable. She points out the surprising courage of Medieval and Tudor world ladies who would rule with a crown...

Click to Editorial Reviews