History documentaries
Henry VIII's Enforcer: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell
Was Thomas Cromwell a corrupt, ambitious politician or has history unfairly maligned him?
Thomas Cromwell rose from poor beginnings to become chief minister and the power behind the throne to King Henry VIII. However, falling victim to the King’s anger, he was beheaded in 1540. His greatest triumph was usurped and destroyed. Thomas Cromwell has gone down in history as an ambitious and corrupt politician. But this BBC Thomas Cromwell documentary asks, is that fact or fiction?
How Mad Was King George?
King George III was the longest-lived and longest-reigning king in British history. But his reputation brands him a foolish, incapable madman. As this history documentary reveals, this unfair assessment overshadows his achievements and qualities as a monarch. With new revelations from diaries and letters and interviews with experts, a very different side to this remarkable ruler emerges.
Harry Potter - A History of Magic
They’re the fastest-selling books in history. But what inspired these enchanting worlds?
From shrieking mandrakes, to sorting hats, to the mystery of ancient Chinese oracle bones, the world of Harry Potter has cast a spell on readers around the globe.
In this BBC documentary the author of the world-famous Harry Potter books, JK Rowling, invites us into her private archive of historical magic to reveal a trove of delights never before seen by muggles’ eyes.
Genius of the Ancient World
What happened in the 5th century BC changed your life. This was the time when three trailblazers – the Buddha, Confucius and Socrates – transformed our understanding of human potential, cutting us loose from gods, making us deciders of our own destiny. All survivors of childhood trauma, living thousands of miles apart, what was it about their time that created ideas that still shape our own lives?
Join historian Bettany Hughes in this fascinating BBC documentary as she travels to India, Greece and China to discover more about three icons of ancient philosophy.
Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
This fascinating royal history documentary explores the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II. Both became monarch at 25 but what unites and what divides them? Historians analyse the moments that define their reigns. Despite the centuries between them, could they share any surprising characteristics?