PBS
Why Are There 12 People on a Jury?
When picturing a jury, you probably imagine 12 people - no more, no less. But did you know there is no hard and fast rule about how many members are required on a jury? Today, Danielle looks at the differences between petit and grand...
Curated Video
England's Favorite King Liked France Better | The Life & Times of Richard the Lionheart
England's Favorite King Liked France Better | The Life & Times of Richard the Lionheart
Curated Video
The French Wars of Religion... but Stupider | The Life & Times of Catherine de Medici
The French Wars of Religion... but Stupider | The Life & Times of Catherine de Medici
Jack Rackam
Habsburgs, Habsburgs, All Around | The Life & Times of Henry II
Valois and Habsburgs, at it again. Just wait till we get to some of his other adventures
Curated Video
Eleanor of Aquitaine part 8: Aftermath of the Rebellion and Death of the Henrys
Fighting among Eleanor and Henry II's sons continues, this time against each other rather than united against their father. Eleanor remaines in prison, only emerging ocassionally when her presence is politically convenient to Henry II....
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 16: Henry II, King of England
Matilda returned to Normandy, where her husband had become the Duke and she the Duchess, taking the lands from Stephen. As Stephen grew older and support for him was waning, Henry of Anjou's claim to the throne grew stronger. Henry was...
Curated Video
Eleanor of Aquitaine part 6: Who Will Inherit Angevin?
Despite the annimosity between Eleanor and her ex-husband, Louis VII, the daughters of Eleanor and Louis VII are betrothed to the elder sons of Eleanor and Henry II. Their eldest surviving son is raised with his father in England while...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 5: Unmarried Heir to the Throne
Upon returning to England, her father King Henry I made the unprecedented act of naming Matilda as his heir. Some nobles initially announced their support for her, but, because she was a female, there were some duties Matilda wouldn't be...
Curated Video
Eleanor of Aquitaine part 7: Eleanor and Her Sons Rebel Against Henry II
As Henry, the eldest son of Eleanor and Henry II reaches his late teen years, he becomes increasingly incensed that his father is not allowing him to rule the lands of his inheritance. When Henry II promises castles in Anjou to his...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 10: King Stephen vs. Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda finally makes it back to England and soon begins gaining support in England, both from King Henry I's second wife and from nobles who were loyal to King Henry I. Meanwhile, Stephen's trusted advisor and younger brother,...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 8: Stephen, King of England
Although Stephen of Blois had a weak claim to the throne, he was able to make his way to England quickly and shore up support from Londoners and key members of nobility and the church, including the Archbishop of Centebury. Those who had...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 13: Matilda, Lady of England
With Stephen, King of England locked in chains in Bristol, Matilda once again gained support with important English nobles, including Stephen's brother, Bishop Henry. Henry helped her to win the support of the church and she was given...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 12: Capture of Lincoln Castle
The capture of Lincoln Castle and the subsequent battle for it were key events in the fight for the throne. The castle was taken by Ranulf de Gernon, Earl of Chester and son-in-law of Robert, Earl of Gloucester. King Stephen attempted to...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 9: King Stephen's Loses Control
Stephen's time as King of England got off to a rough start, as rebels defied him and he lost control of French territories. Robert, Earl of Gloucester and half-brother to Matilda, renounced his allegiance to the King and gave his public...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 15: Matilda vs. Mathilda
Mathilda, Queen Consort, resorted to warfare in an effort to retain control of the throne for Stephen. Londoners had been promised trade routes and prosperity under King Stephen, so they did Mathilda's bidding. This led to Robert of...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 7: A Fight for the Throne
King Henry I died suddenly. Because he and Matilda were estranged at the time, she was not at her father's bedside on his last days, which caused many to question her right to the throne. Her cousin, Stephen of Blois and Duke of...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 4: The Young Queen Copes with Loss
Matilda began settling into her role as a ruler in Italy during her husband's absence. But she soon had to deal with the deaths of her mother, younger brother, husband, and the loss of her role as Queen of Germany. Because she never had...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 3: "Coronation" of Holy Roman Empress
Though Matilda and Heinrich received warm welcomes from some as they worked to gain control of Italy, not all, including Pope Pascat II in Rome, were quite as happy. This led to Matilda being crowned as Holy Roman Empress in symbol only.
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 11: England's Civil War
England became divided between those who supported King Stephen, those who supported Empress Matilda, and those who wouldn't pick a side.
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 6: Countess of Anjou
Matilda reluctantly married Geoffrey of Anjou. He was much younger than Matilda and their marriage got off to a rocky start. However, at King Henry I's urging, they eventually reconciled and went on to have three sons. Although the King...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 1: Childhood
Empress Matilda was the oldest child of King Henry I of England. While it was assumed that her younger brother William would inherit the throne, Matilda was well-educated during her childhood, learning many languages and focusing on...
Curated Video
Eleanor of Aquitaine part 5: the Angevin Empire
Eleanor and her second husband, Henry II combine their territories to become what is known today as the Angevin Empire, stretching from the Carcassonne in the South of France to Northumbria in the North of England. Eleanor has more...
Curated Video
Empress Matilda part 2: Coronation and Marriage
Matilda was crowned as Queen of Germany at just eight years old. While Heinrich was in Italy, capturing and improsing leaders of the church, Matilda was sent away to learn the language and customs of those she was meant to rule. At the...