The Problematic Life Of Edwardian Working Class | History Of Britain Season 2

Tony takes us back to the Middle Ages, a time of knights in shining armour, big-shot kings, and fabulous clothes - if you could afford them. His first encounter is with someone you wouldn't want to meet on a dark night, or any time, really. Richard Rakiere has the vital role of a 'Gong Farmer', or Nightman, and spends his hours of darkness emptying cesspits. We know about Richard because in 1326, his bizarre death was recorded, when he fell into his own cesspit and drowned.

Tony takes us back to the 1950s. Fondly remembered today as an optimistic period of social and economic regeneration. A period that was tough but rewarding for many. Tony begins with the story of Irish woman, Mary Powell, who joins the NHS, following her childhood dream of becoming a nurse, despite militaristic matrons, curmudgeonly consultants and patients with distressing conditions. Mary manages to escape her nursing accommodation for nights out and even marries her boyfriend against her parents' wishes.

Tony Robinson takes a fresh and humorous look at British history 'from the bottom up'. Instead of the usual stories of the powerful, rich and famous, this is history through the eyes of the common people. We explore their everyday lives: how they washed, ate and made a living; and also how the behaviour of those who ruled the land affected them. One thing is for sure, life for the common people was tough! Each episode covers a momentous period in British history: the second series looks at Roman Britain, the Middle Ages, the Edwardians and the 1950s.

Tony finds out how a knacker became an executioner, and how clothes were made in Tudor times. He also finds the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's sunken ship, and shows us how food was prepared in Tudor England. Tony Robinson takes an entertaining look at the past, visiting tumultuous periods of British history to uncover tales of everyday people and explores the history fo the nation through the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Tony travels back to Georgian times, learning of a sailor's attempt to leave behind his scurvy existence for a Tahitian girl, and a gin entrepreneur who fell foul of the law. Plus, a hungry poacher has a cunning plan.

Tony travels back to the 1800s, meeting a 13-year-old girl who worked 14-hour shifts in a match factory, a woman who worked down the mines, and one of the first employees of Marks and Spencer.