British Historical Figures: Bloody Mary Tudor

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot: Mary Queen of Scots BBC Production

This is an interesting and well-acted production, but would seem to be historically inaccurate. Historical accounts state that the father of James VI was Mary's then-husband Stuart, Lord Darnley and not Lord Bothwell, as the movie implies. She later married Bothwell, and there are indications that both of them may have been involved in the plot to murder Darnley. The marriage between Darnley and Mary was not a happy one.

The real history is quite interesting. I'm not certain why the producers of the movie saw the need to take artistic liberties.

~DJ Polly~

KHEL 666 Presents: Stuff You Don't See Every Day: The Churchill Tank

Information from the Wikipedia page on the Churchill Tank.

 Mk IV (A22) was a British heavy infantry tank used in the Second World War, best known for its heavy armour, large longitudinal chassis with all-around tracks with multiple bogies, and its use as the basis of many specialist vehicles. It was one of the heaviest Allied tanks of the war.

The origins of the design lay in the expectation that war in Europe might be fought under similar conditions to that of the First World War and emphasized ability to cross difficult ground. The Churchill was rushed into production in order to build up British defences against a possible German invasion. The first vehicles built had flaws that had to be overcome before the Churchill was accepted for wide use. After several Marks had been built a better armoured version, the Mark VII, entered service.

The Churchill was used by British and Commonwealth forces in North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe. In addition, a few hundred were supplied to the USSR and used on the Eastern Front.

~DJ Aurora~