History documentaries
Return of the Black Death
The discovery of 25 medieval skeletons in London could shatter the myths around the Bubonic plague and explain why it was so devastating in the past. While the disease is far less prevalent today, it still exists and still takes lives.
This fascinating documentary reveals how these ancient corpses could hold the key to understanding and possibly even eradicating this terrible disease.
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is perhaps the most famous constitutional document in history. Originally created to curb the wrongdoings of King John, it contributed to making everyone – including the monarch – subject to the rule of law. The document, which was inked on animal skin, had a profound influence on England and the wider world and it inspired many others, including the American Declaration of Independence and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In this BBC documentary, renowned historian David Starkey explores the origins of the Magna Carta, and poses the question whether it is time to resurrect this document that is the symbol of individual freedom.
The Hector: Canada's Mayflower
Historian Neil Oliver recounts the horrifying story of the highland migrants who left Scotland in 1773 to settle in Nova Scotia. He uncovers their terrifying journey on a filthy disease-ridden ship: the Hector. Neil uncovers how the migrants were deceived by speculators, and goes on to meet their descendants.
For some in Nova Scotia, the Hector has become little short of a Canadian ‘Mayflower’.
Italy's Invisible Cities
Three-part BBC documentary series that uses cutting-edge technology and 3D scanners to uncover the hidden treasures that lie beneath Naples, Venice and Florence. Join Dr Michael Scott and Alexander Armstrong as they discover hidden tunnels, historic passageways and even long-forgotten torture chambers.
Who Were The Greeks?
Ancient Greek history, culture and society still has an enormous influence on the modern world.
Classicist Dr Michael Scott travels across Greece, visiting cities, battlefields, ruins and wild countryside in an attempt to uncover Ancient Greece and see how the ancient Greeks lived.
What he discovers is surprising and at times outrageous: a people as brutal as they were brilliant.