Sexo, Sangue & Realeza

I honestly started to turn off the television after a few minutes and it was only my laziness that kept me going.

Then I got intrigued.

It isn't inaccurate, but it feels a bit incomplete historically.

ON THE OTHER HAND, who's to say which interpretations (head canons) best fill in the points between the facts we have?

It isn't what I expected.

ON THE OTHER HAND, once you realize it's basically a mash up of the Tudors and Gossip Girl, you're all right.

I certainly hope no "hip" teacher will try to use this in their history classroom, but ON THE OTHER HAND, I'm perfectly ok with kids finding this on their own.

Figuring out the bare bones of history while being highly entertained.

Again, my impulse was to turn it off, toss it out, put it far away from myself. But if it opens the door and someone decides to read more on the Tudors? It would be a win.

Boomer here, and American. At first, the show was confusing (modern language, actions and music.) However, once I just accepted the mode of presentation, I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised with finding out new and interesting nuggets, including an expanded context for the creation of the Church of England and other historical information (like the card game!) Much of this info might be old hat to UK viewers, but I ended up enjoying the series.

Regarding the criticisms about "dumbing down" history for modern audiences: perhaps this series should be viewed as a gateway for younger audiences to relate, i.e., "approachable history" that draws them in. I grew up on the insufferably dry stuff, and find a bit of fresh air here. There is an applicable quote from one of humanity's best poets: The Times They Are a-Changin'

This series is like a course of "History made easy for Millennials". Rather than read and have the history portrayed in a way that reflects the era, this version turns it into a modern day Ann who uses dialog and twentieth century slang so as to endear it to the hearts and minds of the generation of communicate in this way. It just seems to cheapen the whole series when done in this way. At any moment in the series one expected that Ann would whip out her smartphone and fire off texts to Henry. Or perhaps they'd arrange a liaison in this way! Modernizing stories is fine as a novel approach, dumbing them down is another matter!

As a history buff of course i watched this. Its worth noting this is fir entertainment rather than educational. The interviews with the historians are great but again remember this has been made for entertainment. Modern use of language and slang. It gives you the very basic bare bone facts but that's all. It's entertaining but that's it. Take it with a pinch of salt and do your own research. Queen Anne Boleyn is one of, if the the most interesting queen in history. An amazing woman who is often mis-represented in history. The actress was a good in the role as Anne, the other actors I didn't really take too. It's only 3 episodes long which in my opinion is far too short and they tried to cram in far too much into these episodes.

This is about Anne Boleyn. The second wife of Henry VIII of England. And how their romance became the reason why and how the Church of Ebgland was established. Though set up as a documentary with comment from history specialists and tough they have their facts right, the thing that bothers me most is the portrayal of events. Anne speaks to the vieuwer directly breaking the 4th wall, wich becomes amnoying. Furthermore the costuming is historically incorrect especially when the women aren't wearing headdresses. Anne is shown multiple times with her hair loose or simply tight back with a hairpin. She was famous for wearing the then fashionable 'French Hood'. With wich she is shown only once in this series. But also the Gable Hood was in vogue then and none of the ladies is wearing that Tudor style icon. It was regarded inappropiate for women to go in public with their hair uncovered. And Catherine of Aragon is yet again portrayed with darkbrown hair, when in reality she was a reddish blonde with blue eyes. It is something that is often done in series and films about the Tudors to emphazise that Catherine was from Spain.