A History of Britain

A History of Britain
TV Show · Documentary · History

World renowned historian Simon Schama explores civilization's big themes through Britain's rich and colorful history in this epic history series. From ancient history to Oliver Cromwell's Puritanism in the 1600s and the revolutionary ideas of the 19th century Romantics, Simon looks at concepts such as the cyclical nature of power and religion, and the notion that essentially mankind never changes.

2000 · 59m
Starring Simon Schama
Director Clare Beavan, Martina Hall

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Beginnings
    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.
    59m
  • EPISODE 2
    Conquest
    In 1066, over nine short hours, William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings and England was changed forever. Celebrated historian Simon Schama recounts the saga of blood, betrayal and ambition that led up to this pivotal battle and describes the profound consequences that followed. Anglo-Saxon England became Norman and, for the next 300 years, its fate was decided by Norman rulers.
    59m
  • EPISODE 3
    Dynasty
    King Henry II built one of the greatest empires in the medieval world, only to see his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his scheming sons tear it all to pieces. But as Simon Schama reveals, he also created the jury system and the first legal statute books. But today he is best remembered as the man who ordered the brutal murder of Thomas Becket, his best friend turned bitterest enemy.
    57m
  • EPISODE 4
    Nations
    Edward I is known by many as the villainous king in the Hollywood film Braveheart, who tried to force English rule on Scotland and Wales, but found the resultant slaughter only served to inspire bold declarations of independence. But as Simon Schama discovers, when the king was eventually forced to listen to the parliament of his own people, England would also learn what it meant to be a nation.
    59m
  • EPISODE 5
    King Death
    The Black Death killed half of medieval Britain's population and condemned those who lived, including King Richard II, to decades of anarchy and unrest. Renowned historian Simon Schama continues his look at British history with an investigation into the horrors and consequences of this plague. While many perished, it also created an unlikely breed of survivor in the form of the country gent.
    58m
  • EPISODE 6
    Burning Convictions
    After years of dedication to Rome, Britain stopped being a Catholic country in just three generations. As Simon Schama discovers, Henry VIII's passion for Anne Boleyn set in motion a tidal wave of religious upheaval that would claim the lives of thousands. Although Henry himself remained a Catholic all his life, his son Edward VI, a Protestant by conviction, made sure there would be no going back.
    59m

Trailers

  • A History of Britain
    2m

Related

  • Union with David Olusoga
  • Secrets of Britain's Great Cathedrals
  • Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War
  • Empire with David Olusoga
  • The Stuarts
  • Civil War
  • England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest
  • Plantagenets
  • Henry VIII: Man, Monarch, Monster

Cast & Crew

  • Simon Schama
    Host
  • C‌B
    Clare Beavan
    Director
  • M‌H
    Martina Hall
    Director
  • I‌B
    Ian Bremner
    Director
  • L‌H
    Liz Hartford
    Director
  • J‌M
    Jamie Muir
    Director
  • L‌H
    Liz Hartford
    Producer
  • M‌D
    Martin Davidson
    Producer
  • Simon Schama
    Writer

About

A History of Britain

Documentary

World renowned historian Simon Schama explores civilization's big themes through Britain's rich and colorful history in this epic history series. From ancient history to Oliver Cromwell's Puritanism in the 1600s and the revolutionary ideas of the 19th century Romantics, Simon looks at concepts such as the cyclical nature of power and religion, and the notion that essentially mankind never changes.

Information

Studio
BBC
Released
2000
Rated
14+
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2000 BBC

Languages

Original Audio
English (United Kingdom)
Audio

English (United Kingdom) (AAC)

Subtitles

English (United Kingdom) (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)