Edward Jenner explains what smallpox is, why people feared it so much and how inoculations were sometimes used to protect people.

Vesalius explains why he questioned Galen's accuracy and what he discovered when he was dissecting a human jaw.

A munitionette recites a lighthearted poem of the time about rationing and the introduction of a ticket system to go to the loo. The last in a 4 part series

A look at people's reaction to the plague and how they dealt with it.

A brief account of the sieges of Lichfield during the English Civil War

A description of one of the oldest weapons still in use, the bayonet and how it was used in close quarter combat and also the Webley revolver

Although not much is known about her early life, in her 20s, Faye Allen worked at the Queen's Hospital, Croydon as a state registered nurse.



During one of her lunch breaks, Allen saw a recruitment advertisement for male...

This video explains how soldiers made raids on enemy trenches. Part 6 of a 7 part series

John again challenges the rule of his brother Richard I but is quickly defeated by his mother's forces. Richard is captured on his way back through Europe but Eleanor secures his release. Eventually, Eleanor is able to convince her two...

This film talks about troop rotation and how it ensured soldiers weren't always on the frontline. Part 4 of a 7 part series

A Parliamentarian soldier describes Oliver Cromwell, his character and his achievement in developing the New Model Army

Richard I appoints Eleanor to rule in his stead while he quells a revolt in Normandy. Unlike the tentative authority Eleanor had as Queen of France and England, this time she is given the same power to rule as Richard has. Eleanor...

When Lady Jane Grey became Queen, it was the first time in 400 years that a woman had been on the thrown. Jane was born into a family of wealth and royal privilege. Her mother was the sister of King Henry VIII and her father's family had...

King George III of England was a popular ruler, known for not taking mistresses and a deep love of his country. He ruled the country through numerous wars, including the loss of the American colonies, and reigned during the time when...

Aethelflaed's early teen years were spent in Wessex during a time of relative peace. She had the time and luxury of continuing her studies. What was education like for young Anglo-Saxon nobels? Learn what royal women and girls were...

Despite the annimosity between Eleanor and her ex-husband, Louis VII, the daughters of Eleanor and Louis VII are betrothed to the elder sons of Eleanor and Henry II. Their eldest surviving son is raised with his father in England while...

Frances, Jane's mother was cousins with Princess Mary and they had always been close. Hoping this relationship would work in her favor, Frances pleads for Mary to forgive the Greys, claiming the Duke of Northumberland had poisoned them...

At the age of ten, Jane went to live as a ward in Thomas Seymour's home. Not long after her arrival, Thomas' wife and the former Queen, Katherine Parr died. Thomas began plotting to marry Princess Elizabeth and secure a position for...

Victorian Christmas part 6

During the Victorian era, people began to view children as innocent creatures, rather than small workers. This resulted in changes to family life and celebrations, but a few parlour games that might not be...

Due to their family connection and Jane's young age, Queen Mary reiterates her intent to pardon Jane as she goes on trial and is sentenced to be burned at the stake. The Grey family chases all leads to help Jane's cause. Henry Grey even...

Mary Queen of Scots lived a dramatic life, met a terrible death, and is said to be living a troubled afterlife. It's believed that Mary was involved in the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley. In the aftermath of his murder, she...

Lady Mary Grey was the youngest of the Grey sisters and seemed less of a threat to Elizabeth I's power. Lady Mary was even appointed as a Maid of Honor in Elizabeth's court. However, all of that changed when Mary wed Thomas Keyes,...

Lady Mary relocates once again, this time to the house of Sir Thomas Gresham. Though Sir Thomas had the finances to provide for Lady Mary in a way her step grandmother had not, both Sir Thomas and his wife made it clear that Lady Mary...

As Henry, the eldest son of Eleanor and Henry II reaches his late teen years, he becomes increasingly incensed that his father is not allowing him to rule the lands of his inheritance. When Henry II promises castles in Anjou to his...