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BBC The Great British Story: A People's History
Find out more about the related TV series BBC The Great British Story: A People's History.
BBC The Great British Story: A People's History
This complementary series looks at history through the eyes of ordinary people.
Rulers and royals, lords and ladies have all had their say down the centuries, what were the last 1,600 years like for everyday Britons?
Also, historian Michael Wood provides a wealth of hints, pointers and inspiration to get you started on your own historical journey in The Great British Story on the website below. -
The Civil War in Sunderland
The impact of the English Civil War can be felt along the River Wear at
Sunderland.
Royalist Newcastle was pitched against Roundhead Sunderland.
A Scottish army camped at Bishopwearmouth Panns, and occupied Sunderland from 1644-1647, for the Parliamentary cause.
The army overcame the Marquis of Newcastle's Royalist forces in a series of batttles including Offerton, Hylton and South Shields. -
Durham's Prince Bishops
Throughout County Durham the church had an extraordinary amount of power and influence.
English Kings were content to leave large parts of the troublesome North in the hands of the church's Prince Bishops.
This historic map shows the bishopric of Durham. -
Presenter: Helen Skelton
Presenter Helen Skelton follows the River Wear to discover the clues to 1,500 years of history in the North East of England.
Helen looks at how ancient buildings, local tradition, historic maps and landscapes can help to reveal the past.
This photograph shows Helen pictured outside Durham Cathedral on her journey along the river Wear. -
Blog: Helen Skelton reveals clues to Northern past
Helen Skelton presents a special half hour documentary charting 1,500 years of our history.
Blog: Helen Skelton reveals clues to Northern past
The programme covers the entire stretch of the Wear from Killhope all the way down to Sunderland.
Read Chris Jackson's blog post about The Great British Story - From the Dales to the Sea below. -
Video feature: River Wear's underwater archaeological finds
Presenter Helen Skelton travels the length of the River Wear and discovers archaeological finds underneath its waters.
BBC News: River Wear's underwater archaeological finds
Gary Bankhead's archaeological dives have resulted in hundreds of objects being found that tell the story of Durham's citizens down the ages.
His excavation of the riverbed also reveals the full extent of the city's bustling textile trade.
His collection of 230 seals spanning 400 years is the largest collection outside of London and is of national importance.
Watch the full video feature on the BBC News website below...
Credits
- Presenter
- Helen Skelton
- Director
- Chris Jackson
- Producer
- Chris Jackson
