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Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, explores how the physical and mental health Britain's past monarchs has shaped the history of the nation.

For many Americans, the journey of the Mayflower symbolizes the birth of their nation. To this day, the Pilgrim Fathers are a glorified symbol of American virtue. In search of autonomy and with the desire to preserve their cultural identity, a group of English Puritans left their Dutch refuge in 1620 to set off for the New World. That voyage is not just a tale of a religious community bravely going their own way; the events of those days would have a major impact on the course of modern history. The rules and regulations of the Mayflower Compact that the Pilgrim Fathers, religious sectarians, abided by, became the secular prototype for the constitution of the United States of America; a social contract that would serve as an example for many other national constitutions during the European age of civil society and thereafter.

The true story of Margaret Quaine, the only woman executed for Witchcraft on the Isle of Man.

A feature length documentary exploring violence and social change through the stories of ex-fighters from the Lebanese Civil War.

Evidence reveals Sir Rhys ap Thomas of Wales may have dealt the fatal blow to England's King Richard III that paved the way for the Tudor monarchy.

At the Tuam mother and baby home in Ireland, 796 children born to unwed mothers disappeared. The Missing Children uncovers the truth of a shocking story of what happened to them.

The comedian takes a look back at the darker side of the royal family's 1000-year history, and wonders how generations of land-grabbing, child-murdering, wife-beheading, slave-trading, misogyny, violence and empire-building have shaped our royal family today.

From a long lost US base beneath the Arctic ice cap, to a sunken Soviet submarine, the Cold War's toxic legacy is both fascinating and terrifying.

From double BAFTA nominated Writer and Director John Walsh. Monarch is part fact, part fiction and unfolds around one night when the injured ruler arrives at a manor house closed for the season.

On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces executed Operation Overlord, the largest seaborne invasion in history, storming the beaches of Normandy. This pivotal event, known as D-Day, liberated France and Western Europe. A new documentary features interviews with historians, experts, and eyewitnesses, providing detailed insights into the events leading up to this crucial day that played a vital role in bringing an end to World War II.

Tutored by Aristotle, helpless witness to his father's assassination, and a brilliant, pioneering tactician, Alexander the Great had conquered the known world--and sealed his legacy as one of history's most remarkable rulers--by the age of 25. In the year 334 B.C., 20-year-old King Alexander of Macedonia decided to bring the farthest reaches of the world under one domain. Over the next 12 years, he led a grand army across more than 20,000 miles and eventually brought all of Asia under his control, only to perish from battle wounds at the age of 32. Incorporating dramatic onsite reenactments with high-end computer graphics and the expertise of renowned scholars, THE TRUE STORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT is special presentation from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®, examining the life and career of this military genius, impassioned lover, and fearless leader. Hosted by Peter Woodward (Conquest), this definitive program is available on DVD for the first time.

A portrait of the British writer Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), who, although he had radical instincts, hated hypocrisy, was of great poetic brilliance, had a tragic perception of life and a calm outward appearance, was at heart a man of seething and somber darkness.

In 1918 Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, his wife, son and four daughters were summarily assassinated. In 1992 the bodies were unearthed only to discover that the remains of two family members were missing - Alexei and Anastasia. Persistent rumors of Anastasia's escape have circulated after her death. This documentary examines the possibility that Anastasia may have survived the brutal assassination.

Professor Alice Roberts uncovers the science being used by computer scientist Professor Brent Seales as he utilises cutting-edge technology to read hundreds of carbonised scrolls that were buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD.

UK's Hidden Shadows is a new documentary examining the recent history of allegations of child abuse and cover-ups within the British establishment. Filmed over the course of a year, the 90-minute documentary features interviews with victims of child abuse, journalists and police whistle-blowers. Each interview offers a unique insight into the alleged Westminster VIP paedophile ring that has darkened politics for the last five decades.

It's one of the darkest murder mysteries in British history: did Richard III really kill his nephews in order to make himself king? Is he the greatest villain in English history, or the victim of centuries of grotesquely unfair Tudor propaganda? On the eve of Richard's reburial at Leicester Cathedral, this drama documentary assembles a stellar cast of experts, including David Starkey and Philippa Gregory, to examine all the available evidence. As it plays out the possibilities and tests the competing theories, it endeavors to get to the bottom, once and for all, of what really happened to the princes in the Tower. Is this a tale of naked ambition, cold pragmatism and bloody murder?

A biopic about Ian Wright, Arsenal’s second-top goal scorer and Crystal Palace’s Player of the Century, who appeared 33 times for England, playing against the likes of Beckham and Zidane, and facing injury setbacks that may have ended other careers.

For Muslims everywhere, the ultimate goal is to make the Hajj at least once during their lifetime. This spiritual journey is the basic premise of an entire religion and sees impoverished African Muslims mixing with their incredibly wealthy Western counterparts. This documentary follows some of the 20,000 Britons who make the journey to Mecca, unravelling the mysterious aura that surrounds this remarkable event. Combining the wondrous backdrop of Mecca with intriguing interviews that provide a previously undocumented view of Islam, Hajj will enchant both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Professor Saul David uses the BBC archive to chart the history of the world's most destructive war, by chronicling how the story of the battle has changed. As new information has come to light, and forgotten stories are remembered, the history of World War Two evolves. The BBC has followed that evolution, and this programme examines the most important stories, and how our understanding of them has been re-defined since the war ended over 70 years ago.

This documentary shows how cinema has been used very differently in three neighbouring African countries with different colonial heritages: Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Madagascar. Mozambique used cinema newsreels as a crucial propaganda tool after the Portugese colonisers left. Madagascar boycotted US movies, so its screens were dominated by French, Indian and Hong Kong films instead. But a few films managed to get made. The situation in Zimbabwe was the worst, except that alone of the three countries it possessed an efficient film laboratory.

A young boy rides around his childhood village for the last time before moving away to a new town.

Manchester United Football Club started life as Newton Heath, a team founded by workers from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1878. Recounting the history of Manchester United. Honors soon followed and the first of seven First Division titles was won in 1908. With an FA Cup win the following year, and another league title two years later, Manchester United were firmly establishing themselves as a force in English football. The era of great success and tragedy under the inspirational management of Sir Matt Busby and the Busby Babes. Charlton, Best and Law won the European Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson built the team of the nineties that have gone on to win seven premiership titles over the last ten years. Built around home-grown talent and inspirational signings (such as Eric Cantona), United moved into an era of unrivalled success which culminated in the remarkable treble of 1999. Further championships followed in both 2000 and 2001.

For the past twenty years, in the Burgundy region of France, archaeologists and craftsmen have been working on the reconstruction of the fortified castle of Guedelon using the same techniques and materials available in medieval times; a fascinating project that brings to the present a vivid image of the past.

The Pink Panthers have stolen over £270m in diamonds in more than 241 robberies in cities from Paris to Tokyo. The film explores the rise of the group during the 1990s Balkan conflict when economic sanctions imposed on Serbia fueled illegal activities. The criminals reveal an underworld driven by fast wealth and paranoia, while the detectives and inspectors, who are working with Interpol, are on a mission to stop their crime spree with growing success.

The long road to freedom. For Jacob Wainwright and the nameless ‘Boy’, it is 1,000 miles on foot, then 4,000 across the ocean. From besieged Africa all the way to London. A dead man is their ticket: David Livingstone, the famous British explorer.

The Dauphin's widow weds a lord and is executed for plotting against the queen.

The complex relationship between Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her sister, Lee Radziwill, and their extravagant lives that masked the underlying sibling rivalry.

No shortlist of the greatest generals in history would be complete with out the name of Hannibal. This film shows why he was both feared and respected by his enemies. Hannibal's tactical genius is illustrated with the latest three-dimensional graphics technology and exciting dramatic reconstructions of his victories. This is the story of the General who took on the might of Rome.

Professor Jeremy Black examines one of the most extraordinary periods in British history: the Industrial Revolution. He explains the unique economic, social and political conditions that by the 19th century, led to Britain becoming the richest, most powerful nation on Earth. It was a time that transformed the way people think, work and play forever.

A BBC Timewatch documentary examining history's first major attempted terrorist attack. His attempt to blow up Parliament has seen Guy Fawkes go down in infamy, but the attempted coup was about much more than just one man. Hatched by a group of 13 conspirators, the 1605 plot came after decades of simmering religious tension in England. Fed by an atmosphere of fear and alienation, a group of disaffected young Catholics decided to assassinate King James I and the entire political establishment. Now with the help of CGI to recreate early 17th-century London, see how much damage would have been caused by the explosion, while dramatic reconstructions uncover the men behind the plan and explore what drove them to radicalism.

From Austrian princess to ill-fated last queen of France, Marie Antoinette's life journey is captured in this meticulously researched documentary about the woman who is considered to have triggered the French Revolution for her lavish lifestyle. Vilified for extravagant tastes that epitomized the wanton excess of the French aristocracy, the young queen found herself caught in a political firestorm, doomed no matter what course she followed.

Part history, part travelogue, Victorian Sex Explorer is a revealing, witty journey through Queen Victoria’s Empire, from the late 1830s to the turn of the century. Fuelled by the same desire as the infamous Victorian explorer and sexual anthropologist Sir Richard Burton,Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding; St Trinian’s) re-traces his steps in the modern day Orient to explore changing attitudes to sex, the legacy of the Empire and erotica in all its guises.

Gerrard Winstanley is the leader of a 17th Century religious group that believes the land should be owned communally. His convictions bring him into conflict with both the state and the church.

From the birth of the fatal iceberg to the hours after it struck the ship, this film follows the Titanic's journey from construction to catastrophe.

In 1915, four young Crowborough boys prepare to be deployed to the front lines into the blind journey ahead.

In April 1794, Georges Danton, the hero of the French Revolution, is imprisoned in a Paris jail, awaiting his morning appointment with La Guillotine. His accusers are so afraid of the strength of his popular support that they have imprisoned a decoy to frustrate any attempt to rescue him. A young guard must decide if his prisoner is the real Danton - and whether it is too risky to help him.

Could a recently excavated, 12,000 year old temple have propelled us out of the stone age and into the space age? Archaeologist Dr. Jeff Rose investigates an extraordinary find in Turkey.

The Happy Lands tracks the lives of the Brogan, Guthrie and Baxter families as they overcome the economic challenges brought about by the 1926 General Strike.

Sentenced for a crime without trial, Private Gerren Pascoe is sent to a remote outpost to report on the movements of enemy ships. Isolated with only a surly and unhinged superior for company, the men descend into a maelstrom of chaos, debauchery and fear. The lines between right and wrong soon become blurred - as does the reality of why they're really there.

During the Second World War, thousands of men and women from the Caribbean colonies volunteered to come to Britain to join the fight against Hitler. They risked their lives for king and empire, but their contribution has largely been forgotten. Some of the last surviving Caribbean veterans tell their extraordinary wartime stories - from torpedo attacks by German U-boats and the RAF's blanket-bombing of Germany to the culture shock of Britain's freezing winters and war-torn landscapes. This brave sacrifice confronted the pioneers from the Caribbean with a lifelong challenge - to be treated as equals by the British government and the British people. With vivid first-hand testimony, observational documentary and rare archive footage, the programme gives a unique perspective on the Second World War and the history of 20th-century Britain.

This Film Will be an Exploration Into the Life Of C.J Philip

Dan Cruickshank returns to his childhood home of Warsaw for the first time in almost 60 years. In a personal and moving film, he recalls his boyhood memories to explore the memories of the city and the memories of its people. No city in Europe suffered so much destruction in the Second World War, no city rose up so heroically from the ashes. The Nazis had razed Warsaw to the ground, but after the war the people fought hard to bring their city back from the dead in one of the greatest reconstruction jobs in history. As a boy, Cruickshank lived in the rebuilt old town and it inspired his love of architecture and made him the man he is today.

The Fascinating History of Rumney & Llanrumney. This video sets out to trace the story of Tredelerch (Rumney) and Llanrumney from around 60AD when the Romans arrived and set up camp, to the present day where it is a busy suburb of the capital city of Caerdydd (Cardiff).

A trip through a Medieval monastery and into rural Poland. Religious identity and nationality are put into question following both World Wars.

A look back at the troubled life of genius British writer Virginia Woolf (1882-1941).

Andrew Graham-Dixon investigates the story of the 20th century's greatest art forger, Han van Meegeren, who made millions during World War II selling fake Vermeers in Nazi-occupied Holland.

Talk of a strike spreads through town, but the owner of one factory will do all that he can to ensure his women stay at work. Can Eliza convince her colleagues to fight?

A concise & informative biography that is an overview of Queen Victoria’s life from infancy to death.

The rise of modern Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, later known as Atatürk. He established peace on the borders of Turkey for the first time in centuries, secularized the country, emancipated women, guaranteed certain minorities equal rights, and replaced Arabic script with the Latin alphabet. Along with rare archival footage is commentary from academic experts and interviews with his adopted daughter Ulku; Suleyman Demirel, President of the Turkish Republic; and the Patriarch of the Orthodox church.

Sex reassignment surgery is now almost a commonplace procedure, but back in the early 20th century, it was seen as 'science fiction surgery'. When the news broke of a successful first attempt, it was a sensation. This is the gripping story of three extraordinary people: the world's first person to undergo a female to male transition; the former Spitfire pilot who became Britain's first to transition from male to female; and the daring advanced plastic surgeon who carried out these surgeries in the 1940s. Michael Dillon - previously named Laura - had persuaded the brilliant Sir Harold Gillies, the founding father of plastic surgery, to carry out the female-to-male operation that no surgeon in the world had ever attempted. Both then helped former race car driver and wartime pilot Robert Cowell undertake their own transition.

The building of the Channel Tunnel, one of the engineering wonders of modern times. Shows the planning, construction, completion and aftermath. In particular it shows the problems that had to be overcome and the ingenious ways these were surmounted. Also has interviews with people involved, from tunnelers to engineers and planners, giving an indication of the human side of the project.

Documentary telling the extraordinary untold story of soldiers' photography in the First World War. The British and German soldiers marched off to war with secret 'vest pocket' cameras, determined to record what they thought would be a great adventure, but few were prepared for the horrors they were about to witness and photograph. Their photos - many never seen before in public - provide a deeply moving document of their lives in the trenches and their rapid loss of innocence.

A Documentary film exploring the history and evolution of vinyl records. Featuring Interviews with the experts, musicians and fans alike, 'Stuck in the groove' takes you on a journey of vinyl-mania, music and nostalgia.

Recent research has revealed the extraordinary modernity of the Mongols, a people who once built an empire four times larger than that of the Romans. Little known outside his homeland, Emperor Genghis Khan is revered within Mongolia. This documentary challenges the image of a bloodthirsty warrior, portraying instead a brilliant strategist who brought innovation to many fields: politics, religion, science, culture, and the arts. It depicts a forward-thinking society where women held prominent roles.

A brief history of the practice of pistol duelling.

This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Commemorating the 40th anniversary of NASA's 1969 moon landing, this documentary uses news coverage from the BBC archives to recount the excitement of the historic event. Led by science reporter James Burke and astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, the BBC team captures all the drama of the momentous occasion, from the exhilarating takeoff to Neil Armstrong's unforgettable first step.

On the 5th of March 1985, a crowd gathered in a South Yorkshire pit village to watch a sight none of them had seen in a year. The villagers, many of them in tears, cheered and clapped as the men of Grimethorpe Colliery marched back to work accompanied by the village’s world-famous brass band. The miners and their families had endured months of hardship. It had all been for nothing. The miners had lost the strike called on March 6th 1984. They would lose a lot more in the years to come. But was it a good thing for the country that the miners lost their last battle?

What life was like in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii moments before it was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

In September 2011, Sikhs from all over Britain gathered in Parliament Square to protest. The focus of their concern was the turban. Since the terrorist attacks of the 21st century Sikhs believe their turbans have singled them out for discrimination. In a case of mistaken identity the Sikhs claim they've been wrongly regarded as religious terrorists and subjected to increased airport security searches. This documentary traces the history of the turban in the Sikh religion, from its roots in Moghul India, through the battlefields of Europe, to the fight for British Sikhs to wear it without fear. It reveals that the turban is a crucial symbol of the Sikh faith - one that Sikhs will even risk their lives for.