This short children’s serial from the BBC was the television writing debut of well-known novelist Phyllis Bentley.
Premiering on 9 June 1953, the historical series was based on the true story of Henry Clifford, born in 1454, who became the “shepherd lord” of Skipton Castle in Yorkshire.
The boy Henry, whose father (Richard Johnson) – a Lancastrian – was killed in one of the many battles of the Wars of the Roses, escaped to the fells when Yorkists seized Skipton Castle.
He lived there for 20 years, brought up by his old nurse, Margery (Fanny Carby, and a kindly shepherd (Frank Atkinson).
When he returned at last to become the Lord of Skipton, he became renowned for his justice and goodness, in marked contrast to the violence of his father and the Yorkists.
Henry Clifford
Jimmy Verner Lady Clifford
Rachel Gurney Margery
Fanny Carby Roger
Michael Aldridge Thomas, Steward of Skipton Castle
Peter Sallis John Lord Clifford
Richard Johnson Old Angram
Frank Atkinson Will Angram
Patrick Troughton Old Lord Clifford
Shaun Sutton Sir William Benton
Andre Van Gyseghem Edward IV, Duke of York
Robert Desmond Earl of Rutland
Alan Dobie Prior of Bolton Abbey
Oliver Burt Yorkist soldiers
Kenneth Gilbert
Peter Augustine Musician
John Gavall
Episodes
The Wars of the Roses | Henry Escapes | A Shepherd in the Fells | The Shepherd Lord
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This short children’s serial from the BBC was the television writing debut of well-known novelist Phyllis Bentley.
