A History of Britain
Overview
Simon Schama's Complete History of Britain spans from the Stone Age to 2000, offering a vibrant retelling of the nation's tumultuous past. Eschewing the dry tone of traditional history, Schama engages viewers with compelling narratives centered on influential figures who shaped pivotal moments. While some historians might critique his focus on these "great men and women," the approach proves captivating. Schama paints a vivid picture of Britain's chaotic history—marked by violence and conflict, particularly between Scots and Irish, and the longstanding Catholic-Protestant divide. By highlighting poets and thinkers rather than monarchs, he brings history to life, making it feel immediate and relevant.
Episodes
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1
Animals
This episode is divided into two segments. The first part explores the intriguing realm of animal-related fetishes, featuring insights from Paul Dani...
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1
Beginnings (3100 BC - 1000 AD)
Simon Schama embarks on a journey through time, beginning in the prehistoric settlement of Skara Brae in Orkney. Across the span of four millennia, t...
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2
Drugs
In a bid to protect British youth from the dangers of narcotics flooding in from Eastern Europe, voices like Bernard Manning, Noel Edmonds, and MP Da...
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2
Conquest! (1000 - 1087)
The year 1066 stands out in British history for a reason. Over the course of just nine hours during the Battle of Hastings, the landscape of England ...
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3
Science
Blending elements of Tomorrow's World, Watchdog, and Wired, Science takes a satirical twist reminiscent of Brass Eye. The episode features various cel...
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3
Dynasty (1087 - 1216)
Few tales are as captivating as that of the feuding royal family—a tyrannical father, an alluring and manipulative mother, and their rivalrous chil...
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4
Sex
Chris Morris takes a humorous approach to explore the complexities of sex and its societal implications. Featuring insights from notable figures like ...
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4
Nations (1216 - 1348)
Nations chronicles the dramatic rise of the British nations as they break free from the oppressive reign of England's formidable "Longshanks," King E...
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5
Crime
Chris Morris scrutinizes the subject of crime with his signature satirical lens. The episode features intriguing insights, such as the unconventional...
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5
King Death (1348 - 1500)
In just six years, the Black Death swept across the British Isles, leaving a lasting mark on society for generations to come. Amidst the devastation,...
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6
Decline
In this thought-provoking episode, the focus shifts to the role of religion, with Terry Waite sharing his insights on how the gospel has negatively in...
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6
Burning Convictions (1500 - 1558)
In this episode, Simon Schama explores the dramatic transformation of a nation famed for its devoutness, led by a monarch who claimed the title Defend...
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7
The Body of the Queen (1558 - 1603)
This narrative centers on two powerful queens—Elizabeth I, the masterful strategist, and Mary, Queen of Scots, the devoted Catholic mother. Their i...
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1
The British Wars (1603 - 1649)
The chaotic civil wars of the early 1600s led to two unprecedented moments in British history: the execution of a monarch and the establishment of a ...
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2
Revolutions (1649 - 1689)
Following the Civil War, Britain found itself under the control of a republic without a monarch, governed by Oliver Cromwell. His authoritarian rule ...
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3
Britannia Incorporated (1690 - 1750)
In the 1690s, England basked in the triumph of the Glorious Revolution, celebrating the reign of the newly crowned King William III. Meanwhile, Scotl...
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4
The Wrong Empire (1750 - 1800)
How did a nation that prided itself on freedom become responsible for the oppression of countless others? A country that harbored skepticism towards m...
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1
Forces of Nature (1780 - 1832)
Although Britain avoided the upheaval of the French Revolution in 1789, it teetered on the brink. This episode explores how 'the romantic generation'...
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2
Victoria and Her Sisters (1830 - 1910)
Ascending to the throne at just eighteen, Queen Victoria faced a nation undergoing a tumultuous yet vibrant industrial revolution. While both sociali...
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3
The Empire of Good Intentions (1830 - 1925)
While the British Empire claimed to bring peace, stability, and prosperity, its presence in Ireland and India was marred by violence and famine. This...
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4
The Two Winstons (1910 - present)
In Schama's final installment, he reflects on the significance of history in shaping Britain's narrative throughout the 20th century. Through the con...
