1: First Encounters | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Duration: 52'49''

Synopsis

Historian David Olusoga explores the enduring relationship between Britain and people whose origins lie in Africa. From the African Romans who guarded Hadrian's Wall in the 3rd century AD to the black trumpeter of the Tudor courts, David uncovers a history that is as surprising as it is revealing.

Further Information

More clips from Black and British: A Forgotten History

African Roman soldiers in Northern England | Black and British: A Forgotten History

African Roman soldiers in Northern England | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 4'36''

David Olusoga visits Hadrian's Wall and discusses the Roman history of black soldiers.

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'41''

David Olusoga investigates the first English traders in West Africa.

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'12''

David Olusoga discusses Catherine of Aragon's black servants.

The Three Kings | Black and British: A Forgotten History

The Three Kings | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'04''

David Olusoga investigates the traditional belief that one of the three kings was black.

African Roman soldiers in Northern England | Black and British: A Forgotten History

African Roman soldiers in Northern England | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 4'36''

David Olusoga visits Hadrian's Wall and discusses the Roman history of black soldiers.

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'41''

David Olusoga investigates the first English traders in West Africa.

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'12''

David Olusoga discusses Catherine of Aragon's black servants.

The Three Kings | Black and British: A Forgotten History

The Three Kings | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'04''

David Olusoga investigates the traditional belief that one of the three kings was black.

More resources about Medieval migration to Britain

S1E2: Conquest | The Normans

S1E2: Conquest | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 58'42''

Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Norman conquest of Britain and Ireland, and looks at how England adapted to its new masters.

Episode 1 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

Episode 1 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

BBC Two | 2017 | 58'27''

Dan Snow explores the political intrigues and family betrayals between Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans that led to war and the ...

Harrying of the North | The Normans

Harrying of the North | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 4'46''

Offshoots of Anglo-Saxons, particularly in Northern England, would target roaming Normans, killing them to prevent any changes to their l...

S1E1: Men of the North | The Normans

S1E1: Men of the North | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 58'00''

A look at how the Normans developed from a band of marauding Vikings into the formidable warriors who conquered England in 1066.

William's castles | The Normans

William's castles | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 4'43''

William's coronation was met with some angst, but he persevered and proceeded to divide up land to Norman noblemen and build castles.

Hereward the Wake | The Normans

Hereward the Wake | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 4'53''

Hereward the Wake oversaw the next resistance to King William, and got help from the Danish to attack England from the East.

The 1066 invasion | The Normans

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BBC Two | 2010 | 10'09''

Robert Bartlett gives a step-by-step guide to the infamous Battle of Hastings where William took the throne from King Harold and so ended th...

The Domesday Book | The Normans

The Domesday Book | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 5'08''

Robert Bartlett details the beginnings of the Domesday book and the kind of information that William requested for it, highlighting the demis...

Norman churches | The Normans

Norman churches | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 1'40''

Being devout Christians, the Normans were responsible for much of the religious infrastructure England knows today.

Episode 1 | Vikings

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BBC HD | 2012 | 59'27''

Neil Oliver heads for Scandinavia to reveal the truth behind the legend of the Vikings, exploring the mysterious world of the Vikings' prehistoric ancest...

Norman cultural changes | The Normans

Norman cultural changes | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 4'16''

Robert Bartlett describes the cultural changes that the Normans brought to Britain.

S1E3: Normans of the South | The Normans

S1E3: Normans of the South | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 58'40''

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East, as they spread south in the 11t...

William the Bastard | The Normans

William the Bastard | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 7'33''

Details of William the Conqueror's origin as the son of an embalmer and the turbulent times he was born into, facing rebellion at every tur...

4: Into the Light | Andrew Marr's History of the World

4: Into the Light | Andrew Marr's History of the World

BBC One | 2012 | 59'14''

Andrew reaches the Middle Ages, when Vikings explored and pillaged from Northern Europe to North America.

William's death | The Normans

William's death | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 3'48''

On his deathbed, William confessed to his sins and his regrets towards how he treated the English people. After he died, panic and chaos ensued...

William's English links | The Normans

William's English links | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 2'48''

William had links to England as he was Edward the Confessor's cousin, so with Edward's death imminent he could make a plausible claim t...

3: Judgement Day | Jerusalem: The Making of a Holy City

3: Judgement Day | Jerusalem: The Making of a Holy City

BBC Four | 2011 | 59'05''

How Jerusalem became the object of rivalry between Christian nations, the focus of the longing of Jews and the site o...

King Harold's reign | The Normans

King Harold's reign | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 6'17''

The people of the Middle Ages were sceptical of their new king Harold who, previous to William, was attempted to be usurped by Norwegian Vi...

The Bayeux Tapestry | The Normans

The Bayeux Tapestry | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 4'10''

Robert Bartlett guides us through the Bayeux Tapestry and details the historical timeline of events that lead to the beginning of the infam...

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The Normans | The Normans

BBC Two | 2010 | 1'39''

Summing up the achievements and nature of the Norman people and their affect on Europe.

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David Olusoga begins his investigation into the history of number 10 Guinea street in Bristol.

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The 20th century sees partition in Ireland. A sense of national unity emerges in the aftermath of the Second World War, but ...

2: Medical Drugs | Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

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Documentary series about the effect of medicine on life expectancy. How knowledge gained from the discovery o...

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David Olusoga explains how perceptions of empire have shifted throughout different generations.

3: Moral Mission | Black and British: A Forgotten History

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In part three of this groundbreaking series, historian David Olusoga explores the Victorian moral crusade against s...

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David Olusoga investigates the beginnings of the British slave trade in Barbados.

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