Talking Deads
Talking Deads is written by Terry Deary, the same writer of Horrible Histories and brought to life by National Production Company.
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Meet some ruthless characters from this island's past. Queen Boudica, William the Conqueror and Queen Victoria. Find out some fascinating facts and discover some surprising secrets that even the teachers might not know!
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This is only beginning as soon Henry VIII and Olaudah Equiano will be joining the ranks. So, be sure to come back for more in the coming months!
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Then for those who are keen to learn about the actors and the creatives check out the blog posts below as they explain their techniques, uncover their journey and analyse their motives.
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...tell other teachers
Queen Boudicca
100 BC, and the Roman Empire expanded across most of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East till you reached the Red Sea. The Romans first heard about Britain from traders. An invasion was not considered worthwhile as the island only offered tin, cloth, corn, gold and enslaved people. They could quickly get these from the territories they already controlled. However, Julius Caesar was greedy for more military victories and managed to take Britain after his second try! But there was a revolt in Gaul (now France) and a civil war in Rome! Julius and his troops left Britain.
It wasn’t until AD 43 that the Romans returned. Emperor Claudius sent 40,000 troops to take back Britain. A year later, Claudius made the trip to Camulodunim (Colchester) to bask in his triumph of ruling over Britain and beginning seven years of British resistance led by Caratacus. Around this time, our heroine, Queen Boudica, enters the scene.
In AD 60, Prasutagus, King of the Iceni and husband to Queen Boudicca, dies. This begins several unfortunate events, as Queen Boudicca will now tell you.
William the Conqueror
For 600 years, Saxon pirates settled in ruins left by the Romans. These Saxons were a talented bunch. They made England one of the wealthiest and best-governed lands in western Europe. They even managed to tame the unruly Danish invaders, the Vikings! But all this stability was about to change when King Edward the Confessor had no son to take his place.
Enter William, Duke Of Normandy. Edward the Confessor has promised William the throne, starting much unpleasantness. Maybe you should hear this from him.
Queen Victoria
Imperial Britain, also known as the Age of Empire, was from Victoria becoming Queen to the first world war. “The sun never set on the British flag” (R. P. Buddicom, 1827) because the British Empire at one point covered around 20% of the world’s land area containing around 25% of the world’s population. The Victorian era (1837 to 1901) was part of this Imperial Britain period and was a time of significant change. There were developments in public health and medicine. Child labour was outlawed, kids were made to go to school until they were 13. More adults had the right to vote, and railways brought monumental change to trade, communication, and travel. However, the path to this was fraught with problems and suffering. Even the Queen was not without suffering, as she is about to tell you.