Historical Background, Dramaturgy, and Design
Explore the history behind The Lion in Winter, its dramaturgy, and the design of Court Theatre’s production.
Historical Background
Did you know that the characters in The Lion in Winter are based on real historical figures? Politics in the 12th century weren’t any less complicated than they are now; explore more of the real-life history behind this story by checking out the videos and resources below!
- King Henry II: This hour-long documentary outlines the history and life of the first Plantagenet king. Or, check out this 10-minute video and this text that give a briefer overview of his life!
- Eleanor of Aquitaine: Check out this English Heritage site, this Britannica overview, this brief Daily Dose video, and this 10-minute World History Encyclopedia video highlighting major moments in Eleanor’s politically active life.
- The House of Plantagenet: This 3-hour documentary by All Out History gives extensive context on how this complex family managed to hold onto power during tumultuous times. Short on time? Brush up on the family’s history with this Wikipedia article.
- The Middle Ages: For some general historical context of the Middle Ages, watch this TED-Ed video covering widely-accepted myths about this time period.
- Battle Royal(e): Comedian and author of Unruly: A History of England’s King and Queens David Mitchell sits down with historian Dan Snow to debate who was the best English monarch in this humorous video.
Dramaturgy
- A Dynasty to Remember: Dramaturg Martine Kei Green-Rogers separates fact from fiction, and opens the door to the House of Plantagenet.
Design
- Behind the Scenes: Learn about the background, context, and creative decisions informing the costume and set designs of The Lion in Winter.
- Culture and Region as Told Through Props: Props Master Lara Musard reveals how a guest bed serves as a metaphor for queerness in The Lion in Winter.