Lucy Worsley's Fireworks For A Tudor Queen (2018) Apr 2026

: Worsley examines the cultural significance of fireworks in the Tudor era, visiting sites like the Tower of London and the Globe Theatre .

: To understand the origins of the technology, Worsley travels to Italy to study the "girandola" (a horizontal spinning wheel of fire), while Laughlin visits South Korea to see ancient rocket box launchers in action. Production Credits Presenters : Lucy Worsley and Zoe Laughlin. Director : Sid Bennett. Producers : Nigel Levy and Jane Liscombe. Production Company : STV Productions for the BBC. Critical Reception Lucy Worsley's Fireworks for a Tudor Queen (2018)

described it as "perky history with an explosive finale" but felt the 90-minute runtime was overlong and "padded-out". : Worsley examines the cultural significance of fireworks

: Using original methods and a 400-year-old pyrotechnics manual, the team constructs authentic Tudor "rockets," firework fountains, and a spectacular fire-breathing dragon. Director : Sid Bennett

The program follows historian and materials scientist Zoe Laughlin as they attempt to recreate a massive 16th-century pyrotechnic display. The project is based on the 1575 three-week extravaganza at Kenilworth Castle, which Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester , organized in a final, unsuccessful effort to win Queen Elizabeth I's hand in marriage.

is a 90-minute historical documentary first broadcast on BBC Four on March 7, 2018 . Premise and Content

The documentary received mixed reviews from major UK publications: