Synopsis
In the 17th century the people of Britain learned to question everything, resulting in the Civil War.
- Programme: Seven Ages of Britain
- Episode: 4: Age of Revolution
- Channel: BBC HD
- Broadcast year: 2010
- History
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
More clips from Seven Ages of Britain

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain
1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby charts the last 2,000 years of Britain through its art and treasure. The first part begins with the Roman invasion ...

2: Age of Worship | Seven Ages of Britain
2: Age of Worship | Seven Ages of Britain
This episode looks at the Middle Ages, from the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 to the death of Richard II in 1400.

3: Age of Power | Seven Ages of Britain
3: Age of Power | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby tells the story of Britain through its art and treasure, from Henry VIII's accession in 1509 to the premiere of Shakes...

5: Age of Money | Seven Ages of Britain
5: Age of Money | Seven Ages of Britain
The story of Britain through its art. In the 18th century, the triumph of commerce led to the emergence of a new 'middle' class, who ...

6: Age of Empire | Seven Ages of Britain
6: Age of Empire | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby travels through Britain, America and India, tracing the British Empire from 1750 to 1900.

7: Age of Ambition | Seven Ages of Britain
7: Age of Ambition | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby looks at how the 20th century saw Britons upturn ancient power structures and class hierarchies.

The Bayeux Tapestry | Seven Ages of Britain
The Bayeux Tapestry | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby walks through the history depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, explaining each stage of the Norman conquest.

Tower of London | Seven Ages of Britain
Tower of London | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby visits the Tower of London, which was one of William the Conqueror's first statement buildings when in power.

William the Conqueror | Seven Ages of Britain
William the Conqueror | Seven Ages of Britain
David Dimbleby explores what kind of man William the Conqueror was, his interest in stone over culture and why his success in C...
More resources about The English Civil war and Commonwealth

0: Learning Zone | Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History
0: Learning Zone | Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History
Lucy Worsley presents six films about the mental and physical health of our past monarchs, covering Henry V...

1: The Making of Britain | Union with David Olusoga
1: The Making of Britain | Union with David Olusoga
David Olusoga tells the story of attempts to form a united Britain in the 17th and early 18th centuries, a period defined...

2: A Nation Divided | Charles I: Downfall of a King
2: A Nation Divided | Charles I: Downfall of a King
Charles's predicament worsens. With the Queen implicated in the Irish rebellion, the King tries to buy off Pym by offerin...

3: The Cromwell: New Model Englishman | Plague, Fire, War and Treason
3: The Cromwell: New Model Englishman | Plague, Fire, War and Treason
How did this non-descript East Anglian gentleman emerge from the Fens to prove himself a military geniu...

3: The Final Showdown | Charles I: Downfall of a King
3: The Final Showdown | Charles I: Downfall of a King
Having failed to bring round Pym, Charles accuses the 'Five Members' of high treason and marches on Westminster.

4: Cromwell | Great Britons (2002)
4: Cromwell | Great Britons (2002)
Monarchist and military historian Richard Holmes proposes Oliver Cromwell, the reluctant republican and revolutionary who helped establish...

4: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot | Plague, Fire, War and Treason
4: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot | Plague, Fire, War and Treason
In 1605 conspirators plotted to blow up Parliament and kill King James I. This film seeks out the truth behind...

4: Rebllion at St.Giles's | Cathedral
4: Rebllion at St.Giles's | Cathedral
Documentary drama series looking at momentous events in the lives of British cathedrals. Today, Edinburgh, 1633-what happened when King...

5: The Battle of Naseby | Battlefield Britain
5: The Battle of Naseby | Battlefield Britain
Peter and Dan Snow take an in-depth look at the battles that shaped our nation using state-of-the-art graphics. They go back to...

6: Castles and the English Civil War | Castle
6: Castles and the English Civil War | Castle
Marc Morris reveals how during the civil war the castle re-emerged for one last stand, as an important instrument of policy and...

Artistic Propaganda | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Artistic Propaganda | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus investigates the ceiling that Charles I comissioned Peter Paul Reubens to paint, which was an important pi...

Battle of Naseby | War Walks
Battle of Naseby | War Walks
Richard Holmes visits Britain's historical sites. He travels to Naseby, where, in 1645, King Charles I lost the decisive battle of the English C...

Charles I: Downfall of a King
Charles I: Downfall of a King
Following a Catholic uprising in Ireland, in which thousands of Protestants are killed, Parliament passes a vote of no confidence in Charles I'...

Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus explores the art collection of Charles I, much of which is being reunited for a unique exhibition for the first time since his e...

Charles is crowned King | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles is crowned King | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus investigates Charles I's art collection.

Charles is Executed | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles is Executed | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus discusses the execution of Charles I.

Charles' Defeat | Charles I: Downfall of a King
Charles' Defeat | Charles I: Downfall of a King
Liza Hilton investigates the defeat of Charles I.

Charles' image in paint | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles' image in paint | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus discusses the work of Anthony van Dyck and the portrait he painted of Charles I.

Charles's Royal Collection together | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles's Royal Collection together | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
In 1660 when Charles II became king, he attempted to reunite Charles I's art collection. A recent exhibit...

Charles's worldly possessions are sold | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Charles's worldly possessions are sold | Charles I's Treasure Reunited
Brenda Emmanus discusses the sale of Charles I's prolific art collection.