Easy To Understand Historical Websites

[emily1890]

title says it all.

I am looking for a friend for easy to understand historical websites- somewhere she can read the story of cleopatra, henry the 8th, great fire of london, etc etc, without struggling with it (english isn't her first language)

any suggestions would be welcome

thanks

[rowanwitch]

Try one of the sites aimed at revision for school children but it is one time when books are best, a good children's history book and then if she wants to know more she have a baseline from which to google. The alternative is look at programmes made by the bbc history unit which will be more accurate, or those on the history channel.

[wolf63]

Wikipedia is a good place for a starting point.

[zebo]

Depending on the level of the person wanting to read BBC Bitesize is fairly accurate and an easy read.

[Peter Pedant]

as above
I agree
I think she shd also go when exhausted, for
u tube or internet - wolf hall,
six wives of henry viii
Elizabeth ( on now) - NOT gwyneth paltrow

1650s, Crowmwell
First Marlboroughs
The favourite

1700s madness of king george
1800s - the young victoria ( 2 versions).

if she is doing the book work, she will be able to identify the iffy bits in the relatively good films above. as sort relaxation

[Peter Pedant]

arthur bryant did a well regarded book series
They can only investigate and bring charges after the fact.

His first historical biography, Charles II, was published in 1931, followed by Macaulay. Other popular works included his biography of Pepys and his history of the Napoleonic Wars, in three volumes.

we read them ( me n sibs) aged 14

AJP Taylor ( any with 'history' in the title) is very good but the professionals look down their noses at him

[Peter Pedant]

cut out second line
they can only bring charges..... something wrong with c/P

[Buenchico]

BBC Bitesize to the rescue, perhaps?

e.g.
The Great Fire of London:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zswvcxs/articles/z7j6s82

Henry VIII:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zwcsp4j/articles/zmst6g8

Loads more here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zk26n39
[NB: You need to click an initial link and then click through again to get to detailed content]

All of that stuff is aimed at Key Stage 3 (= secondary education). Ancient Egypt is covered in Key Stage 2 (= upper primary education):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zg87xnb

More from KS2 here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zcw76sg

[Maydup]

Go with a good quality children's history book, with plenty of illustrations. Documentaries are good too but some of the films dedicated to certin periods are long and wordy. Wolf Hall for example is not an easy watch for a beginner.

[zanbird]

TV/Video- Horrible Histories Ceebies
https://www.bing.com/search?q=horrible+histories&form=ANNTH1&refig=0ade98442a3746219b00f093b13a3bdb&sp=1&lq=0&filters=ufn%3A%22Horrible+Histories+TV%22+sid%3A%227941cdbe-719d-274b-1c4d-ca7192852784%22&;asbe=OS&qs=MB&pq=horrrible+h&sc=10-11&cvid=0ade98442a3746219b00f093b13a3bdb


Podcasts- "You're Dead To Me" History with humor
The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Greg Jenner brings together the best names in comedy and history to learn and laugh about the past. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07mdbhg

Horribile Histories also has a podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g0qkxp

Homeschool History Fun history lessons for all the family, presented by Horrible Histories' Greg Jenner. Full of facts and jokes, the series brings to life a broad range of historical topics.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmmf