History Meets English
This section features documentaries on authors. This would be a good list to keep for students who are doing biographies on authors. If you are an English teacher then you can use these selections as well. * means that there is a worksheet to go with this documentary!
Seven Steps to Mercy: Cracking the Shakespeare Code - Episode 1 (49:22) Episode 2 (53:41) Episode 3 (52:36)
Petter Amundsen is a Norwegian organist who believed he found a secret code hidden in Shakespeare’s first folio. This code reveals a treasure map where mythical objects are hidden. Dr. Robert Crumpton investigates this code. Together, they come to investigate the codes in Shakespeare’s writings as well as the man himself. Who was the real William Shakespeare? Did he even exist? If he did not exist who wrote all his plays? *Recommended for an English literature classroom. Skip episode 3 for the English literature classroom.*
*Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors: YouTube (58:49)
Lucy explores the houses that inspired Jane Austen and her writing. She starts with Austen’s childhood home and concludes with the home she died in. Worsley goes to the places that had an impact on Austen’s writing and life. She even spends the night in a house that Austen lived in. It is a fascinating look at Jane Austen, her life, and the impact of her writing. *Highly recommended for both a history classroom and an English classroom.*
Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball - YouTube (1:26:00)
Over 200 years ago, Pride and Prejudice was published. It was one of Jane Austen’s most beloved novels. To appreciate and understand the novels in the world Jane Austen lived in, a group will perform an experiment. They will recreate a regency ball. What would have really happened at the ball? This is a way to help understand what Jane Austen was trying to say. This group will recreate the sites and sound of the ball and will reveal the hierarchies involved in the Regency Era. *Highly recommended for both a history classroom and an English classroom.*
The Secret World of Lewis Carroll - YouTube (55:58)
Who was Lewis Carroll? This documentary explores the life of the creator of Alice in Wonderland. This documentary brings together a variety of readers of Alice in Wonderland to talk about the author. What leads to Alice in Wonderland? Who creator of this book? Why is the author such a controversial man? Who was the inspiration behind Alice in Wonderland? This documentary explores the world of Lewis Carroll. *Highly recommended for a high school and English classroom.*
Beatrix Potter - YouTube (46:58)
You know her as the Bucket Woman from Keeping Up Appearances, however, this woman has quite a few additional acting credits to her name. Dame Patricia Routledge presents a delightful documentary on one of England’s most beloved authors: Beatrix Potter. Dame Patricia is a patron of the Beatrix Potter Society and explores how Potter became a sensation in the Edwardian Period. What was it about Beatrix Potter that made her the author she was? *Highly recommended for an English Literature or General Literature classroom. Highly recommended for biography projects.*
The Lake District - YouTube (42:57)
The Lake District is where Beatrix Potter, a children’s author found her inspiration. Our hosts will explore this area as well as tell a tale of Beatrix Potter. She not only was a children’s author she was also a savvy businesswoman who enjoyed living in the Lake District. She would become an outspoken advocate for the Lake District. On this trip as well, Oz Clarke meets a team at the Plant Conservation Center. Jon Culshaw also explores the Snowshill Manor. *Not recommended for a history class, has potential for an English Literature class and Plant and Animal Science class.*
The Brilliant Bronte Sisters - YouTube (46:49)
Shelia Hancock is an actress and writer who has been fascinated by the Bronte Sisters. She seeks to answer her questions: “How did three spinsters write the most shocking books?” Hancock begins her journey in Haworth and the moors that would have inspired Emily Bronte. Her quest takes her to Brussels where Charlotte Bronte developed her writing style. Then she ends her journey in Scarborough and learns more about Anne Bronte. Along the way, she meets with the leading voices of the Brontës as well as the artists who continued to be inspired by the Brontës. *Recommended for an English Class, please pair with Tony Robinson's Walking Through History episode about the Brontes.*
*Clive Staples Lewis: The Lost Poet Of Narnia - YouTube (57:36)
AN Wilson narrates the story of C.S. Lewis in Clive Staples Lewis: The Lost Poet of Narnia. He was a teacher and writer. Lewis grew up in Northern Ireland. Wilson wrote a biography about Lewis and now revisits his subject. Although he wrote other prose, Lewis is best known for the Chronicles of Narnia Series. *Highly recommended for an English class as well as history classes. Highly recommended for research purposes for both independent study students, History and English students.*
P.L. Travers: The True Story of Mary Poppins - YouTube (55:52)
Pamela Travers was the inspiration behind Mary Poppins. However, Pamela spent decades hiding her true origins. However, it was her childhood that holds the key to the secret of Mary Poppins. She clashed frequently with Walt Disney while working on Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson talk about Pamela in this documentary. This documentary tells the story of Pamela Travers and the story of Mary Poppins. *Highly recommended for an English class. Highly recommended for research purposes for both independent study students, History and English students.*
All Things Classic Literature Channel - YouTube
I know this is not a history channel nor fits in the English Meets History category. However, if you need some additional assistance teaching classic literature then this is the channel for you. Dr. Octavia Cox takes a closer look at the classics, exposing texts that readers may have overlooked. She tackles Jane Austen, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, among the authors. If you are a literature teacher, I would highly recommend you check out this channel.
Seven Steps to Mercy: Cracking the Shakespeare Code - Episode 1 (49:22) Episode 2 (53:41) Episode 3 (52:36)
Petter Amundsen is a Norwegian organist who believed he found a secret code hidden in Shakespeare’s first folio. This code reveals a treasure map where mythical objects are hidden. Dr. Robert Crumpton investigates this code. Together, they come to investigate the codes in Shakespeare’s writings as well as the man himself. Who was the real William Shakespeare? Did he even exist? If he did not exist who wrote all his plays? *Recommended for an English literature classroom. Skip episode 3 for the English literature classroom.*
*Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors: YouTube (58:49)
Lucy explores the houses that inspired Jane Austen and her writing. She starts with Austen’s childhood home and concludes with the home she died in. Worsley goes to the places that had an impact on Austen’s writing and life. She even spends the night in a house that Austen lived in. It is a fascinating look at Jane Austen, her life, and the impact of her writing. *Highly recommended for both a history classroom and an English classroom.*
Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball - YouTube (1:26:00)
Over 200 years ago, Pride and Prejudice was published. It was one of Jane Austen’s most beloved novels. To appreciate and understand the novels in the world Jane Austen lived in, a group will perform an experiment. They will recreate a regency ball. What would have really happened at the ball? This is a way to help understand what Jane Austen was trying to say. This group will recreate the sites and sound of the ball and will reveal the hierarchies involved in the Regency Era. *Highly recommended for both a history classroom and an English classroom.*
The Secret World of Lewis Carroll - YouTube (55:58)
Who was Lewis Carroll? This documentary explores the life of the creator of Alice in Wonderland. This documentary brings together a variety of readers of Alice in Wonderland to talk about the author. What leads to Alice in Wonderland? Who creator of this book? Why is the author such a controversial man? Who was the inspiration behind Alice in Wonderland? This documentary explores the world of Lewis Carroll. *Highly recommended for a high school and English classroom.*
Beatrix Potter - YouTube (46:58)
You know her as the Bucket Woman from Keeping Up Appearances, however, this woman has quite a few additional acting credits to her name. Dame Patricia Routledge presents a delightful documentary on one of England’s most beloved authors: Beatrix Potter. Dame Patricia is a patron of the Beatrix Potter Society and explores how Potter became a sensation in the Edwardian Period. What was it about Beatrix Potter that made her the author she was? *Highly recommended for an English Literature or General Literature classroom. Highly recommended for biography projects.*
The Lake District - YouTube (42:57)
The Lake District is where Beatrix Potter, a children’s author found her inspiration. Our hosts will explore this area as well as tell a tale of Beatrix Potter. She not only was a children’s author she was also a savvy businesswoman who enjoyed living in the Lake District. She would become an outspoken advocate for the Lake District. On this trip as well, Oz Clarke meets a team at the Plant Conservation Center. Jon Culshaw also explores the Snowshill Manor. *Not recommended for a history class, has potential for an English Literature class and Plant and Animal Science class.*
The Brilliant Bronte Sisters - YouTube (46:49)
Shelia Hancock is an actress and writer who has been fascinated by the Bronte Sisters. She seeks to answer her questions: “How did three spinsters write the most shocking books?” Hancock begins her journey in Haworth and the moors that would have inspired Emily Bronte. Her quest takes her to Brussels where Charlotte Bronte developed her writing style. Then she ends her journey in Scarborough and learns more about Anne Bronte. Along the way, she meets with the leading voices of the Brontës as well as the artists who continued to be inspired by the Brontës. *Recommended for an English Class, please pair with Tony Robinson's Walking Through History episode about the Brontes.*
*Clive Staples Lewis: The Lost Poet Of Narnia - YouTube (57:36)
AN Wilson narrates the story of C.S. Lewis in Clive Staples Lewis: The Lost Poet of Narnia. He was a teacher and writer. Lewis grew up in Northern Ireland. Wilson wrote a biography about Lewis and now revisits his subject. Although he wrote other prose, Lewis is best known for the Chronicles of Narnia Series. *Highly recommended for an English class as well as history classes. Highly recommended for research purposes for both independent study students, History and English students.*
P.L. Travers: The True Story of Mary Poppins - YouTube (55:52)
Pamela Travers was the inspiration behind Mary Poppins. However, Pamela spent decades hiding her true origins. However, it was her childhood that holds the key to the secret of Mary Poppins. She clashed frequently with Walt Disney while working on Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson talk about Pamela in this documentary. This documentary tells the story of Pamela Travers and the story of Mary Poppins. *Highly recommended for an English class. Highly recommended for research purposes for both independent study students, History and English students.*
All Things Classic Literature Channel - YouTube
I know this is not a history channel nor fits in the English Meets History category. However, if you need some additional assistance teaching classic literature then this is the channel for you. Dr. Octavia Cox takes a closer look at the classics, exposing texts that readers may have overlooked. She tackles Jane Austen, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, among the authors. If you are a literature teacher, I would highly recommend you check out this channel.
This List is Current as of July 12, 2023
