A Very British Murder with Lucy Worsley Season 1 Episode 3 The Golden Age

In A Very British Murder with Lucy Worsley season 1 episode 3, titled The Golden Age, Lucy Worsley explores the “golden age” of murder mysteries in Britain. This episode takes us back to the early 20th century when murder mysteries were at their peak in popularity. It was a time when the world was changing rapidly, with many social and political upheavals occurring, and people sought solace in the world of the whodunit.

Lucy Worsley begins by visiting the British Library, where she examines some of the earliest examples of the murder mystery genre. She looks at books such as The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, which set the style and format for the genre. Lucy explains how these books created a template for future authors, where the detective is either a private eye or a police detective, and the plot is typically a whodunit, with clues dotted around for the reader to discover.

Next, Lucy visits the country mansion of Polesden Lacey, the home of Margaret Greville, a wealthy socialite who was famous for throwing extravagant parties. Lucy explains how these types of events became crucial to murder mysteries. Many crime writers set their novels in this type of setting, where the wealthy and privileged would gather. The fact that there were so many people present would provide the perfect cover for what was really going on.

Lucy focuses on two authors who wrote extensively during the golden age of murder mysteries: Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. She looks at how their lifestyles and experiences influenced their writing. Agatha Christie, for example, was famously reclusive and introverted, with a fascination for poisons and a keen eye for detail. Lucy explores how these characteristics fueled her work, allowing her to create the iconic character of Hercule Poirot, a detective who relied on his “little gray cells” to solve crimes.

Meanwhile, Dorothy L. Sayers was a writer who was also a well-known Oxford academic. Lucy examines how Sayers used her extensive knowledge of medieval history to create the memorable detective Lord Peter Wimsey, who often delves into history to solve crimes. Lucy also looks at how both authors tackled the changing social climate of the early 20th century, such as the rise of the suffragette movement.

The episode also explores how murder mysteries became more than just entertainment during this period. The police often used these books to train their detectives, as they provided a vivid and realistic portrayal of what it was like to investigate a crime. Lucy visits the Metropolitan Police’s “Black Museum” to see some of the relics from real-life crimes, including a wig from a murderer who posed as a vicar.

Towards the end of the episode, Lucy examines how murder mysteries have evolved since the golden age. Television shows such as Midsomer Murders and Endeavour have popularized the genre even further and continue to this day. Yet, despite the changing times, the golden age of murder mysteries remains a vital part of British culture and continues to influence crime writing to this day.

Overall, A Very British Murder with Lucy Worsley season 1 episode 3 provides a fascinating insight into the golden age of murder mysteries. Lucy Worsley is an engaging and knowledgeable host, and the episode is full of interesting anecdotes and facts about the genre. The program will appeal to fans of murder mysteries and those interested in the history of crime writing.