British & Irish History
Courses Online & In London
Study the history, culture and politics of the British isles through the centuries and up to the present day.
- The life and work of Sir Thomas More
Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterHumanist scholar, Lord Chancellor of England, advocate for women’s education, opponent of Luther, careful in his avoidance in acknowledging Anne Boleyn as Henry VIII’s wife…Since the 1520s Thomas More has been celebrated, commemorated and vilified as a shrewd ‘man for all seasons.’ With such a contended reputation, how can we best understand and situate his life, work, and politics in history?Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - The Smashing Saxons: 600-1066 Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingWhy did Offa build his dyke? Were the Vikings just ‘long-haired tourists who occasionally roughed up the natives’? Was Alfred really that great? These questions and more will be answered as we study the rise and fall of pre-Conquest England. - Consolidation and Challenge: Britain and Ireland 1886 to 1906 Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David IngledewThe course examines the main developments in British political history between 1886-1906 from the formation of Lord Russell’s Whig Government to the demise of Balfour’s Conservative Government in 1905.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Irish history & identity 1: from the coming of Christianity to the Battle of Clontarf Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Colm Hickey
Although inextricably linked to Britain, Ireland’s history, identity, and nationhood has equally been shaped by its relationship with Europe. This course traces Ireland’s development from the advent of Christianity to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. - British history: The rise and fall of the postwar consensus 1945-75 Course start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David IngledewThe course examines the postwar political, economic and social consensus in Britain in the 30 years after the Second World and the extent to which there was continuity in successive government policies.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - 17th England, Revolution and Restoration: these distracted times: the 1642–1651 civil wars Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterJoin us for a ten-week course to discover the history of the 1642–1651 Civil Wars. From divided families to the breakdown of censorship and rise of propaganda, to innovations in warfare and medicine and the growth of religious sects and witchhunting, for the people who lived through the era, the Civil Wars really did make the world seem ‘turned upside down.'.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Black British Communities from the 1700s to the 21st century Course start date: Wed 8 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: A. SWe’ll explore the presence and experiences of Black communities in Britain, from the 1700s to the present. We’ll also analyse the concept of race and racist ideologies as they evolved, and community resistance to them.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £90.00 - The life and times of King James I Course start date: Fri 10 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William SterlingJames had been a king of Scotland for nearly his entire life before he made history in 1603, inheriting the throne of England and the possibility of a united Britain. However, he now faced the challenge of bringing two distinct kingdoms together under one crown. How did he navigate the rivalries, ambitions, and expectations of his new realm? Join us as we explore the life and reign of James VI & I, first monarch of both the kingdoms of Scotland and England.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The life and times of Ignatius Sancho: slave, composer, man of letters, grocer and first Black British voter Course start date: Sat 25 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: William SterlingExplore the life of the 18th century black Londoner, Ignatius Sancho. Orphaned on a slave ship bound for South America he had many lives in London: in service to noble family in Greenwich, a businessman, elector, correspondent with Laurence Sterne and others and composer of music. After his early death many of his letters were published and helped to raise awareness of the plight of black slaves and ex-slaves and fuel the drive to the abolition of slavery.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - King John: the worst king in English history? Course start date: Sat 25 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingKing John is remembered as a murderer, treacherous, and a loser; ‘a bad king’. On the plus side, he was probably the cleanest medieval king around, carrying a tin bath wherever he went travelling! - Contemporary Black BritainCourse start date: Wed 29 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Michele ScottJoin a journey of the examination of the rich historical presence and contribution of the Black African and Caribbean Diaspora in Britain, from the 20th to the 21st centuries with an emphasis on key historic and influential black figures and events.
Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - Irish history & identity 2: From the coming of the English invasion in 1169 to the Coronation of Henry VIII as King of Ireland in 1541 Course start date: Thu 30 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Colm HickeyAlthough inextricably linked to Britain, Ireland’s history, identity, and nationhood has equally been shaped by its relationship with Europe. This course traces Ireland’s development from the coming of the English invasion in 1169 to the Coronation of Henry V111 as King of Ireland in 1541.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - The life and times of King Charles I Course start date: Fri 7 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William SterlingFamous as the only British king to be executed, Charles should also be remembered as the greatest patron of the arts who sat on our throne.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The Winter of Discontent 1978-79: myth and realityCourse start date: Sat 8 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David IngledewThe course examines the causes, events, consequences and significance of the widespread industrial action that occurred across Britain during the final months of Callaghan’s Labour Government from October 1978 to March 1979.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - The life and times of King Charles IICourse start date: Fri 9 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William SterlingThe Merry Monarch Charles II survived Civil War, the death of his father and the Republican Experiment. When he was restored he needed all his wit to steer a course through his 25 year reign.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00
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