Michael Wood's Story Of England Season 1 Episode 3

Ep 3. The Seeds of Reform

  • July 10, 2012

In this episode of Michael Wood's Story Of England season 1, Michael Wood takes us on a journey to discover the seeds of reform that were sown in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. This was a time when the country was going through significant changes, both economically and socially.

Michael begins his journey in Northamptonshire, where he visits a 16th-century farmstead and learns about the lives of the people who worked on the land. He explores how new agricultural practices, such as the enclosure of common land, led to the displacement of many peasants and how this fueled the discontent that would ultimately lead to revolution.

Michael also delves into the religious upheavals of the time, visiting a Puritan church in Nottinghamshire and meeting modern-day Puritans to discover more about their beliefs. He uncovers the story of John Smyth, a lapsed Anglican who founded the first Baptist church in Amsterdam, and who played a significant role in the evolution of the Baptist and Congregationalist movements.

The show then moves to London, where Michael steps inside the historic Charterhouse, a former monastery that went on to become a school. Here, he learns about the work of the Tudor social reformer, Thomas More, and discovers how his ideas on equality and social justice would inspire later generations.

Back in Northamptonshire, Michael explores the revolutionary ideas of the Diggers and Levellers, who rose up against the injustice of the time and fought for a fairer society. He visits the site of the Battle of Naseby, where Oliver Cromwell and his army defeated King Charles I, and explains how this event paved the way for significant changes in English governance.

Finally, Michael heads to the village of Turvey in Bedfordshire, where he meets historian John Clare and learns about the life and legacy of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress. Bunyan was a Baptist preacher who spent many years in prison for his beliefs and became a symbol of resistance to the aristocracy and the church.

Throughout the episode, Michael Wood brings to life the stories of ordinary people and their struggles for a better life. He shows us how the seeds of reform were sown in the 16th and 17th centuries and how they continue to bear fruit today. This is an episode that will appeal to anyone interested in history, social justice, and the human spirit of resistance.

This episode doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services. Add this show to your Watchlist to get notified when new episodes are available.
Description
  • First Aired
    July 10, 2012
  • Language
    English