Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History (2013)

EndedDocumentary showHistory

Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, explores how the physical and mental health of our past monarchs has shaped the history of the nation. From Henry VIII to Edward VIII's abdication in 1936, this three-part series re-introduces our past royals not just as powerful potentates, but as human beings, each with their own very personal problems of biology and psychology.

Network
Scheduleevery Monday (59 min)

Last Episode

Happy Families: Hanoverians to Windsors
Season 1Episode 359 min

Happy Families: Hanoverians to Windsors

In the final episode, Dr Lucy Worsley investigates the medical histories and fraught family dynamics of Queen Victoria and her descendants. She begins and ends with two events which challenged the very survival of the crown and revealed how crucial the physical and mental health of the royal family remained: the sudden death of Princess Charlotte in 1817, and the abdication of Edward VIII over a century later.

In 1817, 21-year-old Princess Charlotte was the Hanoverian dynasty's great hope: popular with the public and about to give birth to her first child, thereby securing the royal succession for another generation. But, after a 50-hour labour, recorded in minute-by-minute detail by the country's leading midwife, the baby boy was delivered stillborn, and hours later, Charlotte died too. The nation was shocked by the sudden loss of the monarchy's next two generations, and a frantic race ensued for King George's unmarried sons to be the first to produce a legitimate heir. Two years later, the Duke of Kent's new German wife gave birth to a daughter, Princess Victoria.

Whilst producing children was not a problem for Victoria, rearing an heir who was fit to rule was another matter. Fearing their eight-year-old son and successor, Bertie (the future Edward VII), was not psychologically up to the job of king, Prince Albert turned to the new pseudo-science of phrenology in a bid to get to the root of his son's problems, and Lucy charts the effect their difficult mother-son relationship had on both their reigns.

Lucy also reveals the emotional strains the royals faced as they tried to reconcile the competing demands of public duty and a private life. She examines how Queen Victoria's severe depression after Prince Albert's death almost cost her the crown, and explores the emotional turmoil of Edward VIII, who ultimately declared himself unfit to rule, choosing love over the throne.

avr. 22, 2013

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E03Happy Families: Hanoverians to Windsorsavr. 22, 2013
S01E02Bad Blood: Stuarts to Hanoveriansavr. 15, 2013
S01E01Tudors to Stuarts: From Gods to Menavr. 8, 2013
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History premiere?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History premiered on April 19, 2013.

Who hosted Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

The TV show Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History was hosted by Lucy Worsley.

How many episodes were there in Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History consisted of three episodes.

What was the focus of Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History explored the impact of royal illnesses on history.

Which royal families were featured in Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History covered various royal families, including the British, French, Russian, and Spanish dynasties.

What historical periods were discussed in Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History discussed various historical periods, such as the Tudor era, the Enlightenment, and the Russian Revolution.

Were there any notable guests on Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Yes, Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History featured interviews with experts, historians, and medical professionals who provided insights into the topic.

How did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History present its information?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History combined historical reenactments, expert analysis, and archival footage to present its information.

Did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History receive any awards or nominations?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History received critical acclaim and was nominated for several television awards.

What was the production quality of Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History had high production values, with detailed set designs and authentic costumes.

How did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History explore the impact of royal illnesses?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History delved into the political, social, and cultural consequences of royal illnesses on the course of history.

Did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History include any personal stories of royals affected by illness?

Yes, Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History shared personal stories of royals who faced health challenges and how it shaped their lives.

What were some of the most interesting cases discussed in Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History explored cases such as King George III's mental health issues, King Louis XIV's painful leg condition, and the hemophilia affecting the Russian royal family.

Did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History provide new insights into historical events?

Yes, Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History offered fresh perspectives on well-known historical events by examining how royal illnesses influenced decision-making and power dynamics.

Were there any surprising revelations in Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History revealed lesser-known aspects of royal illnesses, highlighting their impact on political alliances, succession, and public perception of monarchs.

Did Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History balance entertainment and education?

Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History struck a balance between entertainment and education, making it an engaging and informative viewing experience.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Rookie
Running

The Rookie

The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.

Gray
Running

Gray

Cornelia Gray a CIA spy, is coming in from the cold after 20 years in hiding, dodging the government agents who suspected her of being a traitor.

The Young and the Restless
Running

The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless revolves around the rivalries, romances, hopes and fears of the residents of the fictional Midwestern metropolis, Genoa City. The lives and loves of a wide variety of characters mingle through the generations, dominated by the Newman, Abbott, Chancellor, Baldwin and Winters families. ­ When The Young and the Restless premiered in 1973, it revolutionized the daytime drama. It continues to set the standard with strong characters, socially conscious storylines, romance and sensuality.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Upcoming

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century, a time period in the far-future of the Star Trek franchise where Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets are recovering from a cataclysmic event, as depicted in Star Trek: Discovery. Indroduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.

The Ark
Running

The Ark

The Ark takes place 100 years in the future when planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race. The first of these missions on a spacecraft known as Ark One encounters a catastrophic event causing massive destruction and loss of life. With more than a year left to go before reaching their target planet, a lack of life-sustaining supplies and loss of leadership, the remaining crew must become the best versions of themselves to stay on course and survive.