Plantagenet - Mike Walker Audiobook

Written by Mike Walker
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 128 Kbps
Dramatization

Inspired by Holinshed’s Chronicles, this epic BBC Radio series of full cast dramas about the Plantagenet dynasty tells the story of the birth of a new Europe after the dark ages. The issues of control, freedom, belief and the temptations of power were new to an age which had no template for domination on this scale.

Series 1:
Henry II: What is a Man? - The first of the House of Anjou to be king of England, Henry II’s long reign is beset by conflict with his sons.

Richard I: Lionheart - Prince Richard has become heir apparent, but in the face of Henry II’s refusal to acknowledge his position, he turns to the Crusades.

John, by the Grace of God - The fourth son of Henry II never expected to succeed to the English throne. When he does, he reveals a talent for making enemies.

King Henry II - David Warner
Richard I - Ed Stoppard
John - Neil Stuke
Queen Eleanor … Jane Lapoitaire
William Marshal … Stephen Hogan
Prince Richard … Joseph Cohen-Cole
Prince Hal … Piers Wehner
Prince Geoffrey … Rhys Jennings
King Louis … Philip Fox
King Philip … John Biggins
Saladin … Raad Rawi
Prince Arthur … Ryan Watson
Queen Isabella … Emerald O’Hanrahan
Prince Henry … Bertie Gilbert
Written by Mike Walker
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer, Jessica Dromgoole and Sasha Yevtushenko.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2010

Series 2:
Edward I: Old Soldiers - Edward Longshanks - the Hammer of the Scots - was grief-stricken after the death of his first wife. But he finds new love with Margaret, sister of the French King.

Edward II: The Greatest Traitor - While Edward’s power is prey to his passions, his queen, Isabella, and his most powerful ally, Roger Mortimer, find a passion of their own.

Richard II: And All Our Dreams Will End in Death - Richard II, having proved his mettle in quelling the Peasants’ Revolt, disappoints his courtiers as he pursues peace and culture as an alternative to fighting and swiving.

Edward I … Philip Jackson
Edward II … Sam Troughton
Richard II …Patrick Kennedy
Margaret … Elle Kendrick
Isabella … Hattie Morahan
Mortimer … Trystan Gravelle
Prince Edward … Joseph Samrai
Henry Bolingbroke … Blake Ritson
Queen Ann … Alex Tregear
Gloucester … Peter Polycarpiou
John of Gaunt … Sean Baker
Written by Mike Walker
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer, Jessica Dromgoole and Sasha Yevtushenko.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2011

Series 3:
Henry V: True Believers - Young prince Hal will inherit an unstable throne and a kingdom riven with heresy and rebellion. Victory over the rebel Hotspur will bring peace to England and glory to the king - but at what cost to the man.

Henry VI: A Simple Man - The once-great England of Henry V is bankrupt and losing territory in France, but the weak, idealistic Henry VI is incapacitated by bouts of insanity. Queen Margaret is forced to take up arms to protect her royal line.

Richard III: The Three Brothers: Edward IV manages to bring a modicum of stability to the kingdom of England, but discontent erupts into civil war after his death, and his brother, Richard, is forced to take drastic steps to uphold Plantagenet power.

Henry IV … Paul Moriarty
Prince Hal/Henry V … Luke Treadway
Henry VI … Al Weaver
Edward of York/Edward IV … Simon Bubb
Richard III … Carl Prekopp
Catherine … Lydia Leonard
Sir John Oldcastle … Nicky Henson
Margaret … Aimes Ffion Edwards
York … Shaun Dooley
Warwick … Gerard McDermott
Clarence … Christopher Webster
Queen Elizabeth … Nancy Carroll
Written by Mike Walker
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer, Jessica Dromgoole and Sasha Yevtushenko.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2012