Online British & Irish History Courses

From being the ruler of an obscure German electorate George I suddenly became king of on the most powerful nations in the world in his fifties. He was never popular in his new kingdom but established a constitutional monarchy which has survived to today. Explore his life and world on this interactive lecture course

Join Dr Stephen Goss for this one-off lecture to explore the history of the Troubles in Murals - what can analyzing their themes teach us about social, religious and political divisions in Northern Ireland?

George II is perhaps best remembered as the last British monarch to lead his troops into battle and also as the instigator of the custom of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus in Handel’s Messiah. His reign marked the high point of Handel’s career which the King did much to promote but also saw other great achievements in British culture with the art of Hogarth and the works of Pope and Swift. In politics, Robert Walpole created the post of Prime Minister and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rebellion was the last attempt by the Stuarts to regain power and made him into an
instant legend. Towards the end of the reign men like Pitt, Wolfe and Clive laid the foundations of the British empire whilst the Agricultural Revolution was transforming British society..

Between the passing of the Witchcraft Act in 1563 by the Scottish parliament and its repeal in 1736 by the British parliament, an estimated 4,000-6,000 people in Scotland were prosecuted for witchcraft - a rate far higher than occurred in England. This course will explore this phenomenon via its sources to comprehend this unusual period in Scottish History.

Infamous for “losing” America and going mad, George III was the first English-born king for 70 years and a great patriot who supported agricultural improvements and helped advance learning in the Age of the Enlightenment..

Discover the history, culture, politics, peoples and places of the Highlands and Islands during the medieval period, which encompasses the Norse, Picts, Gaels, Scots and more!

Whereas the Normans seized the English throne by massacring the majority of the English nobility at Hastings in 1066, they came to power in Scotland without (much) bloodshed and enacted significant changes through the realm of the kings of Scots, including politics, religion, culture, economy, language, material culture and the built environment.

The course examines the relationship between Britain and the movement towards European integration from the 1950 Schuman Plan to the 2020 implementation of Brexit.

This course explores the modern history of the Welsh language from the mid-19th century to the present day. It examines the impact of industrialisation, migration, and political change on the language’s status, use, and perception. We will also look at Welsh-speaking communities abroad, such as in Patagonia, and the evolving attitudes toward Welsh in education, media, and public life.

Explore the life and reign of Queen Victoria, one of Britain’s most influential and enduring monarchs, and the remarkable partnership she shared with Prince Albert. This course traces her journey from a difficult childhood to the height of imperial power, examining her family life, political relationships with leading prime ministers, and connections across Europe. Along the way, we will consider the changing role of the monarchy, the impact of Albert’s death, and how Victoria helped shape the institution as we know it today.