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If Alistair Cooke's America (BBC, 1972) was an attempt to explain the
development and character of the US to British viewers, then Simon Schama's A
History of Britain (BBC, 2000) took the next logical step and tried to explain
its audience to itself through the use of a simple chronological narrative.
However, Schama's thesis thankfully stepped beyond the usual boundaries of dates
and famous names. His joint focus on social and political history helped
breathed new life into a very familiar story. At its best, A History of Britain
proved that the usual emphasis on Kings and Queens fails to expose history's
subtleties.
The 15-part series commenced with a conventional portrait of life in Stone
Age Britain, but as it progressed, and available historical evidence increased,
it started to come into its own, giving voice to the experiences of ordinary
people. Schama also treats his royal subjects as human, epitomised by his
description of Queen Elizabeth I: "It doesn't do to get too starry-eyed about
Elizabeth. She was only too obviously made of flesh and blood."
Schama's eye for detail and sense of the dramatic also help enliven the
traditional catalogue of dates, names and places. Viewers visiting Canterbury
Cathedral are now just as likely to remember the description of how Thomas
Beckett had the top of his head sliced open with a sword and his brains scooped
out and smeared across its floor as they are to marvel at its architecture.
However, what sets A History of Britain apart from similar history series,
aside from Schama's colourful narration, is its willingness to ask as many
questions about historical events as it attempts to answer. The notions of
statehood, community and national allegiances are all held up for examination,
and he is especially scathing about the development of the British Empire.
In general, the series sides with established convention - hardly a surprise
considering that it was made for a mainstream audience - but, by allowing
dissenting voices and divergent interpretations a central part in its narrative,
A History of Britain manages to inject new energy into its telling of familiar
events and therein lies its success.
Anthony Clark
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Complete Episode: 'Nations' (59:00)
