Histories

The places cared for by English Heritage span the story of England, from prehistory to the Cold War. Delve into our history pages to discover more about our sites, how they have changed over time, and who made them what they are today.

Our property histories will give you a concise and authoritative chronological overview of a site through the ages, authored by top historians. And with our stories and profile pages you can learn more about the key events and people who shaped our sites, including the women and LGBTQ+ figures who have sometimes been hidden from view.

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Highlights

THE ROMAN INVASION OF BRITAIN

In AD 43 Emperor Claudius launched an invasion of Britain. Why did the Romans invade, where did they land, and how did their campaign progress?
WHAT BECAME OF THE MONKS AND NUNS AT THE DISSOLUTION?

Discover what happened to the many thousands of monks and nuns whose lives were changed forever when, on the orders of Henry VIII, every abbey and priory in England was closed.
Thomas Becket, Henry II and Dover Castle

Discover why Henry II spent a fortune on Dover Castle – not to protect his kingdom, but to save face after the murder of Thomas Becket by Henry’s own knights ten years earlier.
Black Prisoners at Portchester Castle

The extraordinary story of a group of over 2,500 prisoners of war who were brought to Portchester Castle in 1796 from the island of St Lucia.
Black Lives in 18th-Century Britain

We take a look at the lives of black people – including soldiers, servants and independent citizens – who lived under the shadow of slavery in 18th-century Britain.
The Eleanor Crosses: A Journey Set in Stone

Discover the remarkable story of the series of stone crosses erected by Edward I as memorials to his beloved first wife, Eleanor of Castile.
What Happened at the Battle of Hastings?

At dawn on Saturday 14 October 1066, two great armies prepared to fight for the throne of England. Read what happened at the most famous battle in English history.
Charles II and the Royal Oak

How the future king escaped from Parliamentarian forces during the Civil War in 1651, giving English history one of its greatest adventure stories.
Traces of the Transatlantic Slave Economy

Discover how examples can be found across our sites that show the extent of transatlantic slavery’s presence in British society.
Dealing with difficult history

England’s history is fascinating, complex and sometimes controversial. Find out how English Heritage is approaching contested history.
The Massacre of the Jews at Clifford's Tower

One of the worst anti-Semitic massacres of the Middle Ages took place in York in 1190, when the city’s Jewish community was trapped by an angry mob inside York Castle.
D-Day Deception: Operation Fortitude South

In 1944, Dover Castle’s tunnels played a supporting role in an elaborate deception that concealed the true location of the D-Day landings from the Germans.

Josie Long at Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire

Speaking with Shadows podcast

When you’re wandering about a historic place, what voices do you hear echoing off the walls? Are they the ones you learnt about at school – or do you wonder about the shadowy, quiet voices that may have gone unheard?

Speaking with Shadows is the podcast which listens to the people that history forgot. Join presenter Josie Long as she travels across the country to seek out stories from the hidden corners of England’s history.

Listen to all the episodes below or subscribe on your favourite podcast app.

More about the podcast

Discover historic landscapes

Dartmoor’s Historic Landscape

Find out more about all the sites that English Heritage looks after on Dartmoor, one of England’s greatest archaeological landscapes.
Historic Sites of the Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly, off the south-west tip of Cornwall, are home to a remarkable range of historic sites, from prehistoric burial mounds to Civil War forts.
The Avebury World Heritage Site

The area around Avebury contains an extraordinary cluster of prehistoric monuments. Find out more about this internationally important landscape.

Explore by theme

Women in history

Read about the remarkable lives of some of the women who have left their mark on society and shaped our way of life.
LGBTQ+ History

LGBTQ+ history has often been hidden from view. Find out about the lives of some LGBTQ+ people and their place in the stories of English Heritage sites.
Black history

Black history is a key part of England’s story, reaching back many centuries, and helps us to reflect on the connections between past and present.
Transatlantic Slavery and Abolition

Discover how links to slavery can be traced at many English Heritage sites, and explore the stories of those whose lives were touched by enslavement.
PREHISTORIC MONUMENTS

England’s prehistoric monuments span almost four millennia. Discover what they were used for, how and when they were built, and where to find them.
Medieval Castles

Discover the stories held within the walls of England’s greatest fortifications and learn about the rise and fall of the medieval castle.
Abbeys and Priories

Learn about England’s medieval monasteries and uncover the stories of those who lived, worked and prayed in them.
1066 AND THE NORMAN CONQUEST

Find out all about the Battle of Hastings, and the profound impact the Normans had on the country they had conquered.
THE ENGLISH CIVIL WARS

Discover how the Civil Wars unfolded at English Heritage’s properties – from ferocious sieges to a castle where Charles I was held prisoner.