Articles written by Carolyn M Cash
All 71 articles written by Carolyn M Cash
Documentary Review: Secrets Of The Great Plague: Can A Horrible Ancient Killer Help Save Lives?
Category: Documentary Films (general)
Medical detective geneticist Dr Stephen O'Brien is on a quest to discover why some humans are immune to killer diseases including the Bubonic Plague. more...
TV Review: Aussie Ladette To Lady, Season 2: The Search For Australia's Wildest Ladette
Category: Reality TV (general)
Another eight Australian ladettes are sent to an old-fashioned English finishing school for their transformation into ladies. more...
Siding Spring Observatory: Coonabarabran, Australia's Astronomy Capital
Category: Astronomy History
Siding Spring Observatory, near Coonabarabran, is Australia's largest astronomy research facility. A visitors' gallery and exhibition area is open to the public. more...
Documentary Review: Young Victoria: How Victoria Came To The Throne
Category: Biographical Documentaries
Victoria was born into a monarchy whose political future seemed uncertain. Her early struggles involved a controlling power-hungry mother who kept her under surveillance. more...
The Tudors - Season 3 DVD Review: Pilgrimage of Grace, Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves
Category: TV Show DVDs
Henry VIII marries his third wife Jane Seymour, suppresses the Pilgrimage of Grace, reconciles with daughter Mary and finally fathers the long-awaited heir-at a price. more...
Lawrence of Arabia: T E Lawrence War Hero and Writer
Category: Historical Biographies (general)
T E Lawrence's role as a British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918 was immortalised in the 1962 film, "Lawrence of Arabia", starring Peter O'Toole. more...
Jane Seymour: Henry VIII's Third Queen: Mother of Edward VI
Category: Historical Biographies (general)
Henry VIII declared Jane Seymour was the most beloved of all his wives-she provided the desired heir. Jane's quiet dignity hid a strong will and determination to succeed. more...
Australia's Role in the Abdication Crisis: Edward VIII Gave up Throne for Mrs Simpson
Category: Australian History
The Australian Government also insisted Edward VIII abdicated rather than marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. more...
The Windsors In The Bahamas: Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson After the Abdication
Category: UK/Irish History (general)
Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed the Duke of Windsor as the Governor of the Bahamas to keep the former king out of Britain at all costs during World War II. more...
The Provisions of Oxford: Simon de Monfort's Reforms
Category: High Middle Ages
The British Parliament's origins began with the Provisions of Oxford when the barons took control of the government, key appointments and reform of common law. more...
Edward VI (1547-1553): The Boy King
Category: Monarchs
Nine-year-old Edward VI introduced the Reformation, established the English Church, understood international affairs and showed a keen interest in reforming the currency. more...
Mary I of England (1553-1558): Bloody Mary
Category: Monarchs
Mary I survived a difficult childhood-separated from her mother, rejected by her father and suffered poor health-to restore Catholicism to England and produce an heir. more...
Book Review: Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy
Category: History Books
Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy is a unique reference book from AD 800 to the present in one volume. It is a must-have for monarchists and history buffs. more...
Alfred Russel Wallace: The Malay Archipelago and Theory of Evolution
Category: Historical Biographies (general)
ABC Radio National's programme, Hindsight, examines the life of little-known English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who proposed his own theories of natural selection. more...
Category: Historical Films
The Other Boleyn Girl, adapted from Philippa Gregory's novel, is loosely based on the lives of aristocratic sisters, Mary and Anne Boleyn, during Henry VIII's reign. more...
Gallipoli 1915: Dardanelles Campaign
Category: Australian History
Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, ordered a bombardment of the Dardanelles in October 1914 - a month before the Ottoman Empire formally entered the war. more...
DVD Review: Monash The Forgotten Anzac: Australian War General
Category: Biographical Documentaries
Sir John Monash, one of the most brilliant World War I generals, helped create the Anzac legend by ensuring his men's courage was enshrined in Australian history. more...
DVD Review: Menzies & Churchill At War: Anglo-Australian Relations During World War II
Category: Biographical Documentaries
A new documentary focuses on the bitter relationship between Britain's Winston Churchill and Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies during World War II. more...
Book Review: Churchill and Australia: From the Boer War to the Opening of the Cold War
Category: Australian History
Winston Churchill's relationship with Australia was a troubled one from 1909, as a junior minister, to bitter disputes regarding Australian troops during World War II. more...
The Coronation of Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen
Category: Tudor History
Elizabeth I's Coronation was a grand spectacle intimately involving her subjects where she combined grandeur with the common touch. It was also a personal success. more...
Henry Duke of Gloucester: Australia's First Royal Governor-General
Category: Australian History
Prime Minister Curtin believed appointing a member of the royal family would improve chances Britain maintained its commitment to Australia's defence during World War II. more...
Film Review: Australia: Pre-War Darwin
Category: Historical Films
Baz Luhrmann's epic movie is a romantic action film set against the backdrop of World War II, beating the odds and good triumphs over evil in an unforgiving landscape. more...
Barbie Celebrates 50 Years: The Original Fashion Doll
Category: Historical Biographies (general)
Barbie, the world's most popular doll, celebrates her fiftieth birthday on 9 March 2009 whilst retaining her youthful looks without any plastic surgery! more...
Narrabri's Australia Telescope Compact Array: Radio Telescopes
Category: Australian History
The Australia Telescope Compact Array at Narrabri is the first millimetre-wave interferometer in the Southern Hemisphere. It celebrated 20 years with an Open Day in 2008. more...
The House of Windsor: A Royal Dynasty: George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II
Category: Biographical Documentaries
A new documentary focuses on Britain's Royal Family during the past 90 years, including two World Wars, its triumphs, splendid pageantry, their personal joys and sorrows. more...
Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond: Henry VIII's Illegitimate Son By Elizabeth Blount
Category: Tudor History
Henry VIII regarded the birth of Henry Fitzroy as a sign from God he could hire a healthy living son. Fitzroy was illegitimate but he was also considered as an heir. more...
DVD Review: The Tudors (Season 1): Henry VIII's Story Retold
Category: TV Show DVDs
The Tudors tells Henry VIII's story during the ten tumultuous years leading to his first divorce. Stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry. more...
Elizabeth Wydville and Richard III: Dame Grey, lately calling herself the Queen of England
Category: Late Middle Ages
Elizabeth Wydville's life goes from bad to worse under Richard III's reign. She even contemplated marriage between her eldest daughter, Elizabeth of York, and her uncle! more...
Film Review: The Dish with Sam Neill: Movie Recounts Real Life Tale of Parkes Radio Telescope
Category: Romantic Films/Comedies (general)
The Dish retells the true story of the Parkes radio telescope broadcasting images of man walking on the moon to the rest of the world. more...
Category: Historical Films
Georgiana Cavendish's (nee Spencer) story is retold in this lavish 18th Century costume drama produced by the BBC, Pathé and Paramount Vantage. more...
The Princes In The Tower: The Mystery Surrounding Edward IV's Sons
Category: Late Middle Ages
Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York, are best-known in history as "the Princes in the Tower" since the 15th Century. Their deaths still remain a great mystery. more...
Henry VII (1485-1509): The Business-man King
Category: Tudor History
Henry VII brought peace, prosperity and national pride to England. His reign ended the bloody Wars of the Roses. He became an outstandingly successful English king. more...
The Overbury Murder: Lust, adultery, corruption and witchcraft at James I's Court
Category: UK/Irish History (general)
Sir Thomas Overbury's murder caused a major scandal during James I's reign. It damaged the monarchy and James' court was condemned as evil and corrupt. more...
Arbella Stuart: Royal Cousin and First Lady of the Court
Category: Tudor History
Arbella Stuart suffered from Porphyria and lived during turbulent times. She longed to marry, but she was prevented from doing so. Arbella was too close to the throne. more...
James IV of Scotland (1488-1513): Scotland's Renaissance King
Category: Scottish History
James IV brought unity, international status and the Renaissance to Scotland but his foreign policies proved his downfall. more...
Mary Boleyn: A Short Biography: Mistress Henry VIII, Sister Anne Boleyn, Lady-in-waiting
Category: Tudor History
Mary Boleyn's life is retold-somewhat inaccurately-in both the novel and the movie, The Other Boleyn Girl. She had numerous affairs including two kings. more...
TV Review: Miss Austen Regrets: Jane Austen's Final Years
Category: Biopic Dramas
Jane Austen's private life is revealed in this BBC feature-length dramatisation when her niece Fanny sought advice on love and marriage. more...
Book Review: The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey
Category: History Books
Leanda De Lisle retells the dramatic, tragic story of three sisters who became heirs and rivals to the Tudor queens, Mary and Elizabeth I. more...
Brideshead Revisited (2008) DVD Review: Directed by Julian Jarrold
Category: Drama DVD Reviews
Disillusioned army captain Charles Ryder recalls his earlier involvement with a dysfunctional aristocratic family whilst stationed at Brideshead during World War II. more...
Book Review: A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain
Category: History Books
Edward I of England, best known in history as "Longshanks" and the "Hammer of the Scots", led an action-packed life during one of the Middle Ages' most dramatic reigns. more...
Lord Louis Mountbatten: 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Viceroy of India
Category: Modern British History
British naval officer Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the Japanese surrender during World War II. He was the last Viceroy of India, and also mentor to Prince Charles. more...
Pregnancy and Childbirth in Tudor Times: Henry VIII's Family
Category: Tudor History
Matrimony was essential to the Tudor concept of divine order. God ruled the universe; the King ruled his realm and husbands ruled their families, especially their wives. more...
Catherine Parr: Henry VIII's Sixth Wife the Protestant Queen-Consort
Category: Tudor History
Catherine Parr was a loyal and sympathetic companion who nursed an increasingly irritable Henry VIII in his declining years by creating a domestic family life at court. more...
The Sir Harry Oakes Mystery: Unsolved Murder in the Bahamas
Category: UK/Irish History (general)
Flamboyant Canadian gold-mining millionaire, Sir Harry Oakes, was found brutally murdered on 8 July 1943 at his home in the Bahamas. This mystery remains unsolved today. more...
The Magna Carta: England's First Written Constitution
Category: High Middle Ages
The Magna Carta was originally intended as a peace treaty between the king and his barons, but it became the cornerstone of liberty in the English-speaking world. more...
The Rough Wooing: Uniting Scotland and England under Tudor rule
Category: Tudor History
Henry VIII negotiated a marriage treaty for his son Edward and Mary Queen of Scots. He pursued an aggressive policy when the Scots rejected the treaty's terms. more...
Lady Jane Grey (1553): The Nine Days Queen
Category: Tudor History
Lady Jane Grey is best known as history as the Nine Days Queen. She survived an unhappy childhood only to become a pawn in a conspiracy to usurp the throne. more...
Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's Fourth Wife
Category: Tudor History
Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves to form a new alliance after relations between England, France and the Holy Roman Empire deteriorated. They divorced six months later. more...
Katherine Howard: Rose Without A Thorn
Category: Tudor History
Henry VIII thought his fifth wife, Katherine Howard, was perfect. Katherine Howard was a woman with a past when she came to court in 1539, as a lady-in-waiting. more...
Isabella and Ferdinand: Spain's Catholic Monarchs
Category: Spanish History
Isabella and Ferdinand's reign heralded in a golden age and marked the beginning of Spain's modern history with the Reconquista, Christopher Columbus and the Inquisition. more...
DVD Review - Peter Weir's Gallipoli: Mateship During War with Mel Gibson, Mark Lee
Category: Historical Films
Gallipoli is an enduring story of mateship and adventure between two soldiers who become part of a legendary World War I confrontation between Australians and Turks. more...
Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler To Hollywood: Germany's Contribution To American Cinema
Category: Documentary Films (general)
One of Adolf Hitler's first acts as Chancellor was banning Jews from working in the German film industry. Many were forced to flee Germany, and ended up in Hollywood. more...
Henry VIII: The Early Years: Duke of York
Category: Monarchs
No one expected Henry VIII to become King, as he was the "spare" until the "heir" Arthur died in 1502. His childhood was fraught with danger from revolts and pretenders. more...
Why Felix Youssoupov Killed Rasputin: Motives For Murder of Russiian Holy Man
Category: Russian/Ukrainian/Belarus History
Prince Felix Youssoupov believed it was his patriotic duty to kill Rasputin, the malevolent 'holy man', and deliver Russia from her most dangerous internal enemy. more...
DVD Review: Nicholas & Alexandra: Russia's Last Royal Family
Category: Historical Films
The movie Nicholas & Alexandra is a biographical film of the last Tsar, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. more...
TV Review: RSPCA Animal Rescue: Fact Vs Fiction
Category: British/Australian TV (general)
Seven Network's RSPCA Animal Rescue is nothing more than a blatant public relations exercise to maintain their image as a "caring" organisation seen to be doing good. more...
DVD Review: The Tudors (Season 2): The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn
Category: TV Show DVDs
In The Tudors (Season 2) Henry plans to divorce Katherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn. He will do whatever it takes-even breaking from Rome. more...
Barbie Celebrates 50 Years: Barbie & Ken: The World's Most Famous Doll
Category: Historical Biographies (general)
Barbie Celebrates 50 Years tells of her creation, controversy over body image, becoming a cultural icon and fashion leader. more...
The Bombing of Darwin: Australia's Pearl Harbour
Category: Australian History
The Bombing of Darwin was the largest attack against Australia by a foreign power, and the worst wartime disaster. It became known as Australia's Pearl Harbour. more...
Parkes Radio Telescope: Australia's Role In The Apollo 11 Mission
Category: Australian History
The Parkes Radio Telescope celebrates the 40th anniversary of the moon landing on 21 July 1969. more...
Book Revew: Henry Virtuous Prince: The Authenticity and Integrity of Young Henry
Category: Monarchs
David Starkey's latest biography retells Henry VIII's story from the Wars of the Roses until Cardinal Wolsey's influence-before he became a ruthless tyrant. more...
The Coronation of Edward II: A Monumental Blunder?
Category: Late Middle Ages
Edward II's coronation was a major fiasco as the nobility deplored Piers Gaveston's organisational skills. It affected the Anglo-French alliance at the time. more...
Elizabeth Wydville Queen-Dowager: Henry VII's Mother-in-law
Category: Late Middle Ages
Elizabeth Wydville becomes Queen-Dowager when her eldest daughter married Henry VII. more...
DVD Review: Captain Cook Obsession and Discovery: The Man Behind The Legend
Category: Documentary DVDs
Journey in Captain James Cook's footsteps as he discovers new lands and charts unknown waters during the 18th Century in this exciting documentary. more...
Elizabeth Wydville In Sanctuary: Henry VI's Readeption and Edward IV's Restoration
Category: Late Middle Ages
Elizabeth Wydville's story continues. She faces danger during the Readeption of Henry VI. (She is usually known as Elizabeth Woodville in history books.) more...
Elizabeth Wydville: Queen-Consort of Edward IV of England
Category: Late Middle Ages
Edward IV shocked his Council when he announced his secret marriage to a commoner, Elizabeth Wydville, on 14 September 1464-the first since William the Conqueror. more...
Margaret Beaufort: My Lady The King's Mother
Category: Tudor History
Lady Margaret Beaufort was the Tudor dynasty's matriarch. She harboured strong ambitions for her son during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. She wept at his coronation. more...
Oliver Cromwell Sacked Parliament: Commander-in-Chief Turned Dictator
Category: UK/Irish History (general)
Cromwell's dismissal of the Rump Parliament is one of the Commons' most famous scenes in its history. Cromwell changed from bully to dictator. more...
Macbeth (1040-57): King of Scotland
Category: Scottish History
Macbeth lived during brutal times. He defeated Duncan I in 1040 and reigned for seventeen years. His story differs from Shakespeare's play written six centuries later. more...
Scotland's Fight For Independence: William Wallace and Robert The Bruce
Category: Scottish History
William Wallace won a dramatic victory against the English in 1297. The English army were annihilated. Robert the Bruce continued fighting for independence. more...
Margaret Tudor: James IV of Scotland's Queen
Category: Scottish History
Margaret Tudor led a very turbulent life, causing scandal. She married three times, and, like her brother Henry VIII, had trouble obtaining divorces. more...
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