A History of Britain

Renowned historian Simon Schama begins his history of Britain with a visit to the miraculously preserved Stone Age cottages of Skara Brae in Orkney, Scotland. He then investigates the world of Anglo-Saxon England, newly converted to Christianity and plagued by Vikings. He describes how a nation was conceived by war, trade, migrations of people, religion and an infatuation with Rome.

The events leading up to the Battle of Hastings, a pivotal moment in Britain's history.

Murder and betrayal dog the legacy of Henry II but he also built a mighty empire.

Edward I spent his life trying to impose English rule but instead inspired independence.

The Black Death killed half of Britain's population and led to anarchy and unrest.

Henry VIII's actions led to religious upheaval that would claim the lives of thousands.

Simon Schama examines the bloody power struggle between Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary.

A look at the turbulent civil wars that dramatically changed British history forever.

The turbulent revolutionary period in Britain after the execution of King Charles I.

The 18th century saw an economic explosion that gave birth to the consumer society.

How did a small set of islands come to rule an empire that stretched around the globe?

The French Revolution in 1789 sent shockwaves through Britain. While some watched transfixed, others were horrified. Historian Simon Schama explores why the British proved immune to the siren call of liberty, equality and fraternity and how close they actually came to a revolution of their own. He also looks at 'the romantic generation' and how they linked nature to radical politics.

How women responded to the dramatic changes brought about by the industrial revolution. 

How the liberal politics and free-market economics of the British Empire unraveled.

Simon Schama tackles 20th century British history through the lives of two men, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and writer George Orwell. Both men lived through and wrote about the key moments of British 20th century life including the Depression, Empire, two world wars and the Cold War. What unites them, argues Schama, is one shared theme. Forget history at your peril.