London suffered a calamitous century between 1600 and 1700. Sectarianism. Civil War. The execution of the King. Plague and the Great Fire. London should have been finished. In fact, the turmoil catalysed London's transformation into the phenomenal city we know today. But why did this happen? By walking in the footsteps of two great chroniclers, John Stow and John Stripe, Dan Cruickshank discovers how London grew from a small medieval city into a vast sprawling wealthy metropolis.
The story of Oliver Cromwell's head is perhaps the most bizarre, yet least well known, of all tales from English history. From regal burial, to exhumation and decapitation, this relic of our only non-royal ruler has travelled a most peculiar path.
Sean Cunningham, Head of Medieval Records at the National Archives, answers key questions about Henry VII. From his unexpected rise to the throne to his founding of England's most famous royal dynasty: the Tudors.
1665-1666 was not a good time for the people of London. Not only was most of the city engulfed by what soon became known as The Great Fire of London in September 1666, but months before the most infamous outbreak of disease in British history occurred: the Great Plague. Plague arrived in England ...