The English Civil War

Latest Episodes

• Trial of the King Killers

  The execution of Charles I. When 59 MPs signed his death warrant in January 1649, they triggered a series of events which saw England briefly become a republic. However, following Oliver Cromwell's death, the former King's son was restored to the throne and sought revenge on those he held responsible for his father's execution. Last in series

• Cromwell

  The life of Oliver Cromwell, who led the revolt against Charles I in 1642, plunging England into civil war. Although frequently depicted as a zealous Puritan, the programme reveals the complex character behind the legend, and examines new historical evidence to chart his rise to power, propelled by an unerring belief that his actions were God's will

• Blood on Our Hands

  Examining the real reasons behind the English Civil War, bringing to life through the personal testimony of everyday people the story of how the nation turned on itself. It reveals how the country underwent a period of radical change in attitude, and how the press, using their newly-found free status, fanned the flames of religious hatred and suspicion, culminating in a conflict in which communities and families systematically tore themselves apart