Richard III and Henry VIII Through Shakespeare's Eyes

8 hrs. 14 min.

Language Russian

Author Alexandra Marinina

Narrator Igor Knyazev

Description

An investigation into the lives and deeds of two of England’s most disreputable—and perhaps the most enterprising—kings. After studying the witness statements of none other than William Shakespeare himself, Alexandra Marinina answers the question of whose “good luck” lasted longer in people’s memory: “child killer” Richard the Third or “wife killer” Henry the Eighth?

Unpleasant Richard earned his throne through bloody struggle, constantly occupied with war and state affairs, and at the age of 32 he disappeared into the swamps of Bosworth. His great-nephew, the handsome Henry, was born a prince, raised by refined intellectuals, and had no thoughts of ruling—because he had an older brother. But once he became king at 18, up until 55 he indulged in debauchery, entertained himself, and quarreled with the Church. “Ice and fire.” What could these two have in common—the last knight of medieval England and the refined patron of the British Renaissance? As it turns out, quite a lot…

In this new historical essay, Alexandra Marinina cleverly and engagingly explores the work of a genius chronicler of that era—the focus is on Shakespeare’s famous tragedies “Richard III” and “Henry VIII.”