National Archives: This video explores primary sources that tell us more about life as a Victorian child criminal in Britain. It also gives insight as to many of the characters found in Charles Dickens novels, especially including Oliver...

National Archives: Dr Daniel Gosling introduces E30/1458 and KB27/1073, documents related to the fall of Cardinal Wolsey. Other documents shown from The National Archives: E344/22 f21 Henry VIII illuminated initial Valor Ecclesiasticus...

National Archives: Discover the story of Lily Parr, one of the greatest footballers of her generation. Lily is the tenth and final woman to feature in our Trailblazing Women of the 20s series; in each short film, we focus on a particular...

National Archives: The warmth and cosiness of a seat by the hearth in Victorian Britain was provided by more than just a well-laid fire. At the heart of the 19th-century home, the fireplace and its surrounds were a carefully curated...

National Archives: The story of Henry VIII's six wives is intertwined with the history of treason. In this film, Principal Legal Records Specialist Dan Gosling describes how two of Henry's wives, Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, lost...

National Archives: Learn about Marie Stopes, a prominent campaigner for birth control in the 1920s. Marie is the eighth to feature in our Trailblazing Women of the 20s series; in each short film, we focus on an individual who led the way...

A unique glimpse at London in 1918, some months before the end of World War I. The film shows some of the famous sights of the city, from Westminster to St Paul's Cathedral, from Clepotra's Needle to the Tower of London where military...

National Archives: ‘Hope and Glory’ tells the story of a young boy growing up in London during the Second World War. The film explores two themes that greatly affected the Home Front during the war, the Blitz and evacuation.This...

National Archives: Uncover the story of Elizabeth Andrews, political activist and campaigner of women’s rights. Elizabeth is the ninth to feature in our Trailblazing Women of the 20s series; in each short film, we focus on a particular...

An overview of the different types of gas used during WW1 together with the developments of gas masks and hoods to protect soldiers.

Politics is boring until you see how it can directly affect your life!

This lesson explores the theme of Politics in Stephen Daldry’s film Billy Elliot. Discover the important ‘subplot’ of the UK miners’ strike of the 1980’s - a...

This KS3 lesson starter on black history highlights the contributions to British landmarks of people of African and Caribbean descent. Historian Tony Warner shows how you can discover where to find Black History in your Town or City....

William Harvey introduces himself and talks about his early years and his discoveries.

A description of King Charles I.  How he became King, what he was like as a man and his marriage to Henrietta Maria. 

What was it like to live in the Tower of London? That depended on a prisoner's social position and personal wealth; however, even the most notable prisoners were subject to horrible fates. Many prisoners in the Tower of London faced...

A recital of a popular WW1 song which explains why nurses became known as the "Roses of No Man's Land"

JMW Turner's Rain, Steam and Speed illustrates the complexity of cultural change.

Queen Elizabeth the first may have been a virgin who can’t drive but what most people don’t know is that she was one of the most brutally cut-throat and significant rulers England has ever had. A badass to some, a merciless imperialist...

Samuel Pepys gives his personal experience of the initial outbreak of the fire

A WW1 soldier explains what No Man's Land is and how it came by its name

How the fire spread and what it looked like at its height

Pale white skin was the signature look for the upper class in the Elizabethan era and Queen Elizabeth I's makeup was perhaps one of the most iconic examples. But what was IN all that caked on makeup? Turns out, there was quite a cost for...

Samuel Peyps reports where and how the great fire started.

Queen Elizabeth never looks quite real in her portraits... I propose a couple reasons why.