Daughters Of Britannia

A 17th century widow's lonely return and a sad farewell to the Middle East in the 1860s; the wives are on their way home. Episode 20 of 20.

Tales of a kidnapping in 1970s Uruguay and the terrorist car bomb which claimed the life of the British Ambassador in Dublin. Episode 18 of 20.

Childbirth in Turkey, 1718-style: Just one of the featured topics in Katie Hickman's history of 'the women of the embassies'. Episode 14 of 20.

From Persia to Paris, some of the diplomatic women relished their 'mysterious new worlds', while others were less enamoured. Episode 8 of 20.

Lady Kirkpatrick advises diplomats' wives that it is 'better to be thought stupid and amiable...than dangerous'. Episode 10 of 20.

Memories of the coronation of Alexander III and an encounter with the Dowager Empress of China. Katie Hickman presents. Episode 6 of 20.

From a ball for 30,000 to entertaining at home, the 'diplomatic women' were always on show. And it wasn't all fun and games. Episode 9 of 20.

In the 1780s Miss Tully reports on the misery and the mourning as 35,000 are struck down. Presented by Katie Hickman. Episode 17 of 20.

Magic moments for the Women of the Embassies - from visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court. Episode 19 of 20.

Magical moments for the Women of the Embassies - from visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court. Episode 19 of 20.

Inspired by her mother's experiences, Katie Hickman examines the lives of diplomats' wives through their letters and diaries.

Katie Hickman introduces Vita Sackville-West's journey across Persia and Isabel Burton's confrontation with cockroaches.

Two women leave Vienna for Hungary two hundred years apart. They will be lucky to survive the gruelling journey. Episode 2 of 20.

Two women leave Vienna for Hungary two hundred years apart. They will be lucky to survive the gruelling journey.

From a sofa and a sacrifice to a carriage and Cossacks - how the diplomats' wives were welcomed to their new homes.

Looking at the romantic expectations that the Daughters of Britannia had of the countries they went to. Episode 4 of 20.

Looking at the romantic expectations that the Daughters of Britannia had of the countries they went to.

From children and official functions to social etiquette - Katie Hickman's tales from "the women of the embassies".

From official functions to social etiquette - tales from "the women of the embassies".

Stories from Mary Shiels as she enters Tehran. Jennifer Hickman experiences feelings of homesickness as she enters New Zealand. Episode 5 of 20.

From Alexander the Third's coronation to encountering China's Dowager Empress. Katie Hickman presents more diplomatic tales.

The wives soon come to realise that they too have their responsibilities. Episode 6 of 20.

From quarrelsome fundraising to being affable to bores - Katie Hickman's tales from British diplomatic wives and daughters.

The wives learn that living in an embassy means adhering to a set of strict and bewildering rules. Episode 7 of 20.

From Persia to Paris - Katie Hickman reveals how some diplomatic women relished their destination, but others were not so keen.

How some diplomatic women relished their destination, but others weren't so keen.

Being the wife of a diplomat provided many opportunities to travel within their country of posting. Episode 8 of 20.

From a ball for 30,000 to entertaining at home - Katie Hickman reveals how being on show wasn't all fun for diplomatic women.

Even the most party loving diplomat's wife found that immense stamina was needed at times with the never ending social whirl. Episode 9 of 20.

Looking at how the women would meet the needs of their partner and the Foreign Office.

Meeting both the diplomatic needs of their partner and the Foreign Office - Katie Hickman shares the advice given to the women.

The relationship between a diplomat and his wife was important, and a successful one realised that it was a three-way affair. Episode 10 of 20.

Katie Hickman tells how British diplomats' wives were advised to deal with their servants.

To scold or not to scold? Katie Hickman reveals how the wives of British diplomats were advised to deal with their servants.

Katie Hickman reveals how foreign menus were a challenge for some diplomatic women.

Foreign menus were a challenge for some diplomatic women. Katie Hickman reveals how others relished the local cuisine.

Katie Hickman reveals how the diplomats' wives juggled official duties with home lives.

Juggling official duties with their home lives, Katie Hickman reveals how diplomats' wives still found time to walk the dog.

Tragic tales of separation and loss, as Katie Hickman introduces more letters charting the lives of diplomatic families.

From putting on make-up in the dark to coping with snakebites - Katie Hickman has more from the writings of diplomats' wives.

A lesson in how to cope with everything from snakebites and flesh-eating insects, to extremes of temperature. Episode 16 of 20.

The misery and mourning penned in poignant letters by Miss Tully in the 1780s, as the plague claims 35,000 victims. Katie Hickman presents.

In the 1780s Miss Tully reports on the misery and the mourning as 35,000 are struck down.

Letters written by Miss Tully, sister of the British Consul in Tripoli, detail an outbreak of the bubonic plague. Episode 17 of 20.

Memories of revolution in Romania, kidnapping in Uruguay and assassination in Dublin. Katie Hickman presents.

Memories of revolution in Romania, kidnapping in Uruguay and assassination in Dublin.

A kidnapping in 1970s Uruguay and the car bomb which killed an Ambassador in Dublin.

Tales of a kidnapping in '70s Uruguay and the 1976 terrorist car bomb which claimed the life of a British Ambassador in Dublin. Episode 18 of 20.

From Japanese cherry blossoms to the splendour of Russian Society - Katie Hickman's magical moments of the diplomats' wives.

From visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court.

The story of Ella Skyes, the first European woman to walk in the Pamir Mountains in Chinese Turkestan. Episode 19 of 20.

A 17th century widow's lonely return and a sad goodbye to the Middle East. Katie Hickman bids farewell to the diplomatic wives.

A 17th century widow's lonely return and a sad goodbye to the Middle East.

Katie Hickman presents.

Episodes 6-10 of 20.

The lives of "the women of the embassies" examined through their letters and diaries.

Katie Hickman examines the lives of "the women of the embassies" through their letters and diaries.

Episodes 11-15 of 20.

Katie Hickman examines "the women of the embassies" through their letters and diaries.

Katie Hickman examines the lives of "the women of the embassies" through their letters and diaries.

Based on the letters, diaries and memoirs of diplomatic wives and daughters.

Inspired by her mother's experiences, Katie Hickman examines the lives of 'diplomatic women', through letters and diaries.

Katie Hickman examines the lives of diplomats' wives through their letters and diaries.

Inspired by her mother's experiences, Katie Hickman examines the lives of diplomats' wives through their letters and diaries.

Two women leave Vienna for Hungary two hundred years apart.

They will be lucky to survive the gruelling journey.

The women begin arduous journeys to reach their postings.

Ella treks across war-torn Europe in 1915, and Isabel embarks on a wild and lawless life in Brazil.

With Stephanie Cole, Kate O'mara, Amanda Redman and Emma Fielding.

Vita Sackville-west's journey across Persia and Isabel Burton's encounter with cockroaches

A woman talks about being locked up in a cabin because it is feared that their ship is about to be attacked by the Turks.

From 17th-century pirates to 20th-century cabin fever.

Stephanie Cole, Kate O'mara, Amanda Redman and Emma Fielding.

Flirtatious games of musical chairs, sea-sickness and a tragic typhoon.

Katie Hickman's tales from diplomats' wives.

Flirtatious games of musical chairs, sea-sickness and a tragic typhoon.

Flirtatious games of musical chairs, sea-sickness and a tragic typhoon. Katie Hickman's tales from diplomats' wives.

A woman talks about being locked up in a cabin because it is feared that their ship is about to be attacked by the Turks.

Flirtatious games of musical chairs, sea-sickness and a tragic typhoon: more tales from diplomats' wives across the centuries. Episode 3 of 20.

Looking at the romantic expectations that the Daughters of Britannia had of the countries they went to.

4: `Arrivals'.

On reaching their postings, some women were welcomed in grand style with full diplomatic ceremony, while others endured ignominious beginnings to their new lives abroad.

With Stephanie Cole, Kate O'mara, Amanda Redman and Emma Fielding.

Katie Hickman tells how diplomats' wives were welcomed to new homes.

Katie Hickman presents.

Stories from Mary Shiels as she enters Tehran.

Jennifer Hickman experiences feelings of homesickness as she enters New Zealand.

With Jenni Murray and guests.

The first days in a new posting offered a few lucky women the excitement of a luxurious new home, while others resigned themselves to an isolated life thousands of miles from family and friends.

With Stephanie Cole, Kate O'mara, Amanda Redman and Emma Fielding.

Mill workers are laid off and Wilson and Barton find a desperately poor family barely alive in a cellar.

From children and official functions to social etiquette.

From children and official functions to social etiquette - Katie Hickman's tales of diplomatic wives and daughters.

From children and official functions to social etiquette - Katie Hickman's tales from "the women of the embassies".

From official functions to social etiquette - tales from "the women of the embassies".

Stories from Mary Shiels as she enters Tehran. Jennifer Hickman experiences feelings of homesickness as she enters New Zealand.

Jane Ewart-Biggs on children and official functions plus Harriet Granville on being presented to court. Katie Hickman presents.

The wives learn that living in an embassy means adhering to a set of strict and bewildering rules.

The wives soon come to realise that they too have their responsibilities.

At their first grand public occasions such as presentations to royalty, newly arrived diplomatic wives find themselves thrown in at the deep end.

With Gabrielle Drake, Lucy Robinson and Anna Northam.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

From Alexander the Third's coronation to encountering China's Dowager Empress.

Katie Hickman presents more diplomatic tales.

With Katie Hickman.

The wives learn that living in an embassy means adhering to a set of strict and bewildering rules.

Thora Hird joins Martha Kearney to discuss her life as one of Britain's best-loved actresses.

Drama: `Daughters of Britannia' (6/20).

Martha Kearney with interviews and discussions taking a woman's point of view.

Drama: `Daughters of Britannia' (7/20).

From quarrelsome fundraising to being affable to bores.

From quarrelsome fundraising to being affable to bores - Katie Hickman's tales from British diplomatic wives and daughters.

Their privileged status allowed diplomatic women access to people and places denied to other travellers - from harem life to an audience with the dowager Empress of China.

With Gabrielle Drake and Lucy Robinson.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

Katie Hickman reveals how some diplomatic women relished their destination.

From Persia to Paris - Katie Hickman reveals how some diplomatic women relished their destination, but others were not so keen.

How some diplomatic women relished their destination, but others weren't so keen.

And it wasn't all fun and games.

Episode 9 of 20.

And it wasn't all fun.

Even the most party loving diplomat's wife found that immense stamina was needed at times with the never ending social whirl.

Jenni Murray is joined by guests for the latest news, views and debate from a woman's perspective.

Drama: `Daughters of Britannia' (9/10).

9: `Painting on the Smiles'.

The diplomatic women must remain cheerful in the relentless round of social and official engagements, even when their feet are killing them.

With Gabrielle Drake and Lucy Robinson.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

Katie Hickman reveals how being on show wasn't all fun for diplomatic women.

From a ball for 30,000 to entertaining at home - Katie Hickman reveals how being on show wasn't all fun for diplomatic women.

"It is better to be thought stupid and amiable - than dangerous"" - Lady Kirkpatrick's advice to diplomats' wives.

The relationship between a diplomat and his wife was important, and a successful one realised that it was a three-way affair.

Jenni Murray discusses feminism with Polly Toynbee, Natasha Walter and Liz Forgan in the National Portrait Gallery.

Drama: `Daughters of Britannia' (10/20).

10: `Husbands and Wives'.Dead Ringers

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Stories of teamwork, from flower arranging to espionage.

With Gabrielle Drake and Lucy Robinson.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

Looking at how the women would meet the needs of their partner and the Foreign Office.

Meeting both the diplomatic needs of their partner and the Foreign Office - Katie Hickman shares the advice given to the women.

Meeting both the diplomatic needs of their partner and the Foreign Office - Katie Hickman shares the advice given to the women.

With Katie Hickman.

The dilemma of how to behave towards servants rears its head.

The women try to maintain good diplomatic relations at home with their domestic staff.

In Peking, Susan Townley finds more than a fly in her soup.

With Lucy Briers and Sandy McDade.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

Katie Hickman tells how British diplomats' wives were advised to deal with their servants.

To scold - or not to scold? Katie Hickman reveals how the wives of British diplomats were advised to deal with their servants.

To scold - or not to scold? Katie Hickman reveals how the wives of British diplomats were advised to deal with their servants."

In one country it was advisable to ask to see the head of the animal, as unsuspecting customers would be sold dog.

In Chinese Turkestan, Catherine Macartney tastes sea slugs and ancient eggs, and Ella Sykes insists that cheese straws are served at her dinner parties.

With Lucy Briers and Sandy McDade.

Katie Hickman reveals how foreign menus were a challenge for some diplomatic women.

Foreign menus were a challenge for some diplomatic women.

Katie Hickman reveals how others relished the local cuisine.

While some of the 'diplomatic women' on foreign postings found the local cuisine stomach-turning, others relished it. Episode 12 of 20.

Katie Hickman presents.

Isabel Burton is plagued with rampant Brazilian boils.

In Constantinople, Mary Wortley-Montagu trusts her son to the Turkish vaccination against smallpox.

Isabel is plagued with rampant Brazilian boils.

With Lucy Briers and Sandy McDale.

Katie Hickman reveals how the British diplomats' wives coped with medical matters abroad.

From boils to smallpox - Katie Hickman reveals how the wives of British diplomats battled with medical matters abroad.

Katie Hickman reveals how the British diplomats' wives coped with medical matters Dead Ringers

From boils to smallpox - 'keeping healthy' was a major challenge for the women and their families. Katie Hickman presents. Episode 13 of 20.

Childbirth in Turkey, 1718-style: just one of today's topics in Katie Hickman's history of 'the women of the embassies'.

Separated from friends and family, and sometimes children, the lives of these diplomatic women could often be quite lonely.

The diplomatic women learn to juggle their official duties with their responsibilities to their children.

The women learn to juggle official duties with responsibilities to their children.

Katie Hickman reveals how the diplomats' wives juggled official duties with home lives.

Juggling official duties with their home lives, Katie Hickman reveals how diplomats' wives still found time to walk the dog.

Many diplomatic families had to leave their children behind.

Ann Disborough left hers when she went to Russia in the 1820s.

Posted to St Petersburg at the start of the 19th century, Ann Disbrowe is separated from her two daughters for three years.

Posted to St Petersburg at the beginning of the 19th century, Ann Disbrowe is separated from her two small daughters.

Elizabeth McNeill endures the deaths of four of her five children in 1820s Persia.

Tragic tales of separation and loss in the lives of the diplomatic families.

Tragic tales of separation and loss, as Katie Hickman introduces more letters charting the lives of diplomatic families.

A lesson in how to cope with everything from snakebites and flesh-eating insects, to extremes of temperature.

How to cope with everything from snakebites and flesh-eating insects to extremes of heat and cold.

With Sylvestra Le Touzel, Virginie Gilchrist and Lucy Tregear.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

From putting on make-up in the dark to coping with snakebites.

From putting on make-up in the dark to coping with snakebites - Katie Hickman has more from the writings of diplomats' wives.

Presented by Katie Hickman.

Episode 12 of 20.

Letters written by Miss Tully, sister of the British Consul in Tripoli, detail an outbreak of the bubonic plague.

Letters written by Miss Tully, the sister of the British Consul in Tripoli, reveal an outbreak of bubonic plague which imprisoned the Tullys in their home for almost two years.

With Sylvestra Le Touzel and Virginie Gilchrist.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

In the 1780s Miss Tully reports on the misery and the mourning as 35,000 are struck down.

With 35,000 victims - the misery and mourning penned in poignant letters by Miss Tully in the 1780s.

Katie Hickman presents.

The misery and mourning penned in poignant letters by Miss Tully in the 1780s, as the plague claims 35,000 victims.

Letters written by Miss Tully, the sister of the British Consul in Tripoli, reveal an outbreak of bubonic plague which imprisoned the Dead Ringers

Tales of a kidnapping in '70s Uruguay and the 1976 terrorist car bomb which claimed the life of a British Ambassador in Dublin.

Evelyn Jackson's husband was kidnapped in 1970s Uruguay, and in 1976 the British ambassador was killed by a terrorist car bomb in Dublin.

Tales of a kidnapping in 1970s Uruguay and the terrorist car bomb which claimed the life of the British Ambassador in Dublin.

A kidnapping in 1970s Uruguay and the car bomb which killed an Ambassador in Dublin.

Tales of a kidnapping in 1970s Uruguay and the terrorist car bomb which killed an Ambassador in Dublin.

Katie Hickman presents.

Memories of revolution in Romania, kidnapping in Uruguay and assassination in Dublin.

Magical moments for the women - from visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court.

The story of Ella Skyes, the first European woman to walk in the Pamir Mountains in Chinese Turkestan.

Ella Skyes becomes the first European woman to walk in the Pamir Mountains in Chinese Turkestan.

With Sylvestra Le Touzel and Virginie Gilchrist.

Directors: Hannah Andrassy and John Dryden.

Magical moments for the Women of the Embassies - from visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court.

From visions of Japanese cherry blossom to presentation at the Russian court.

From Japanese cherry blossoms to the splendour of Russian Society - Katie Hickman's magical moments of the diplomats' wives.

A 17th century widow's lonely return and a sad farewell to the Middle East in the 1860s; the wives are on their way home.

A 17th century widow's lonely return and a sad goodbye to the Middle East.

Katie Hickman bids farewell to the diplomatic wives.