Main content

The Body of the Queen

A History of Britain by Simon Schama Series 1
Episode 7 of 7

Simon Schama examines the long, tangled relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, who was executed by royal command in 1587.

Queen Elizabeth I was one of the country's most intelligent monarchs, ruling a Protestant rogue state in a Catholic world. But it was her long, tangled relationship with her cousin Mary Queen of Scots that would test her the most.

Elizabeth never married. Mary married twice but it ruined her. A magnet for conspiracy and intrigue, Mary tormented Elizabeth until finally executed for treason. But it was Mary not Elizabeth who gave birth to an heir. Simon Schama asks if it was the politician Elizabeth, or the mother Mary, who won in the end.

6 months left to watch

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 14 Apr 2026 21:00
BBC Four

More episodes

Previous

Burning ConvictionsSeries 1

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Credits

Presenter Simon Schama
Executive Producer Martin Davidson
Producer Clare Beavan

Broadcasts

  • Wed 8 Nov 2000 21:00
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 09:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 12:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 15:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 18:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 21:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 23:25
    BBC One except Wales
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 23:30
    BBC Knowledge
  • Mon 13 Nov 2000 23:55
    BBC One Wales
  • Sat 18 Nov 2000 08:30
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 18 Nov 2000 12:30
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 18 Nov 2000 16:30
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 18 Nov 2000 20:30
    BBC Knowledge
  • Thu 30 Nov 2000 02:20
    BBC One
  • Mon 14 May 2001 21:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 11 Aug 2001 10:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 11 Aug 2001 13:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 11 Aug 2001 16:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Sat 12 Oct 2002 20:15
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Christmas Day 2004 09:00
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Sat 23 Feb 2013 10:00
    BBC Two Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland & England only
  • Thu 24 Jul 2014 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Fri 25 Jul 2014 02:40
    BBC Four
  • Wed 30 Jul 2014 00:00
    BBC Four
  • Tue 21 Feb 2023 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Wed 22 Feb 2023 02:30
    BBC Four
  • Tue 14 Apr 2026 21:00
    BBC Four

Quiz: How's your British history knowledge?

Quiz: How's your British history knowledge?

Quiz featuring seven key moments between 3000 BC and 1603 AD from the first series.

Quiz: Can you answer these seven history questions?

Quiz: Can you answer these seven history questions?

Quiz featuring seven key moments between 1603 and 1776 from the second series.