BBC History File The Making of the United Kingdom 4 Oliver Cromwell - Hero or Villain

The BBC History File ‘Making of the United Kingdom’ series was a short set of films aimed at students aged 11-14. Dating from 1994, they offer a good introductory lesson to some of the key questions during the Tudor and Stuart period using actors to enhance the debate. These films have all been transferred from VHS but are still very watchable.

This episode deals with how far Oliver Cromwell can be viewed as a good or bad leader in the 1640s and 1650s. It sets up a lovely interpretation exercise for students of history.