UK TV next week

[Vermis]

The end credits indicated it was co-produced by BBC Northern Ireland, which just multiplies my confusion about why it wasn't shown here.

Anyway, did anyone else see it? What'd you think? I can't refute the impression that the anglo-normans were a twirled moustache away from full pantomime villains, but I got a whiff of Game of Thrones combined with modern political grumbling anyway. I'm especially sceptical that the Bruces would've been so much the saviours of the celtic world, but we'll see if that changes any in part two.

[Atheling]

Nor me, down in Wessex.

Looks like it was just on in Scotland:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/41ccq3Mkt2DV2Wz87XJ9m7H/medieval-scotland-s-vietnam-edward-bruce-s-invasion-of-ireland-in-1315

Although, now it's on iplayer.

Found it.... haven't watched it yet but it's a very interesting episode in Medieval military history... though implying that it was Scotland's Vietman is a beyond the Pale  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05p3d0l/after-bannockburn-episode-1

Darrell.

Darrell.

[Atheling]

I almost cannot believe what I'm typing as historical military programmes are often way off the mark but having just watched the programme I have to say that I was impressed!!!

Armours and Weapons that match the period with nothing 'out of period'- check!

military History that matches what I have read- check!

A real Late Medieval flavour- check!

Ticked about 90% of the boxes. Recommended viewing!!

Darrell.

[frank xerox]

Beyond the pale - I see what you did there

Bit Irish centric, "greater Scotia" indeed, but bloody good all the same.

[Atheling]

Beyond the pale - I see what you did there

Bit Irish centric, "greater Scotia" indeed, but bloody good all the same.

Yeah, but they were referring back to earlier centuries when the Scotti invaded Southern Scotland not to the time of Bruce. i do agree that Greater Scotia is a bit of s silly term but i guess they had to convey their ideas in a more powerful way than just saying that the Scots had quite strong trading ties with the Irish. As I say, about 90% good.

Darrell.

[commissarmoody]

I'm especially sceptical that the Bruces would've been so much the saviours of the celtic world, but we'll see if that changes any in part two.

Right? From my readings. It seems that they just went head first into the feudal and clan politics. And Alienated  lots of the strong family's of the south. While decimating local agriculture to their own detriment.
I am looking forward to seeing the doc

[Atheling]

Right? From my readings. It seems that they just went head first into the feudal and clan politics. And Alienated  lots of the strong family's of the south. While decimating local agriculture to their own detriment.
I am looking forward to seeing the doc

They did do this to an extent but they did also put an emphasis on the nobility on Scotland being largely of Norman stock being capable of anything to put forward their families claims and forward the prestige of their respective houses, though they did certainly over-indulge in the quantity and quality of Gaelic influence on these men that that saw them selves as the ruling class just like the Normans did in England.

I think one major failing was not to mention, Wallace's Norman background (though of minor nobility), so yeah, you are right in saying that this was played down. Though, it has to be said, Wallace's contribution to the struggle was only mentioned briefly, which given his modern status as freedom fighter, is a little strange. He was of course of major consequence in influencing Bruce's tactics by example of the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Darrell.

[commissarmoody]

Oops, as I said I have not seen it yet. Thought it would start with the action in Ireland.

[Vermis]

Ah. It ended when he just got really stuck into Ireland. (Talk about 'Scotland's Vietnam'... They also compared Robert's landing at Larne to D-Day!) Much of the rest of it was the origins of the Bruces, early life, and Bannockburn. But I know what you were talking about - even a quick read of the font of all knowledge, wikipedia, indicates the native Irish came to despise him, mostly because of the number of them he slaughtered. Given the overtones of hero worship in this thing, that's what I mean when I wonder if it'll come up in part II.