On 16 September 1620, 400 years ago, a merchant ship called the Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England, on a voyage to America. Its passengers sought a new life, for some this meant religious freedom and for some a fresh start in a new land. They would go on to be known as Pilgrims, and influenced the United States of America in a myriad of ways. To commemorate this landmark anniversary this documentary takes an honest and inclusive look at the consequences of the Mayflower journey. For people here in Europe, for the people on the ship and for the people in North America when they arrived. This is a story of colonisation, settlement and oppression. But also of humanity, migration, heroism and a thirst for freedom. This is the story of one of the most important journeys in history. Featuring Dan Snow, Steven Peters, Anna Scott, James Evans, Jo Loosemore, Sarah Churchwell, Dr Kathryn Gray, Father Mark Nicholls, Paula Peters, Dr Stephanie Pratt, Adrian Vinken and Linda Combes.
Up Next in Not Just the Tudors
-
The Real Robinson Crusoe
Professional yachtsman Conrad Humphreys and Dan Snow tell the story of Alexander Selkirk, an 18th century sailor whose story, some argue, served as a historical basis for Daniel Defoe's famous novel Robinson Crusoe.
-
Great Excavations! Digging Charles Di...
Sir Tony Robinson comes to History Hit to present a special film about a remarkable excavation in central London, the workhouse that inspired Charles Dickens to write his famous novel, “Oliver Twist”.
In the middle of the capital, archaeologists are digging deep to find out more about the lives ...
-
Guy Fawkes: The Yorkshireman Behind t...
Tensions were high in England in late October 1605, when a Catholic English nobleman, Lord Monteagle, received a mysterious letter telling him to avoid the opening of Parliament in a few days time. The letter would come to foil the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the Protestant ...
