Dr James Fox explores how, in the hands of artists, the colours gold, blue and white have stirred our emotions, changed the way we behave and even altered the course of history. For the very first civilisations and also our own, the yellow lustre of gold is the most alluring and intoxicating colour of all.

Dr James Fox explores how, in the hands of artists, the colours gold, blue and white have stirred our emotions, changed the way we behave and even altered the course of history.

In the Age of Reason, it was the rediscovery of the white columns and marbles of antiquity that made white the most virtuous of colours. For the flamboyant JJ Wickelmann and the British genius Josiah Wedgewood, white embodied all the Enlightenment values of justice, equality and reason.

In nine short hours, William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings - and England was changed forever. Simon Schama recounts the saga of blood, betrayal and ambition that led up to this pivotal battle and describes the profound consequences that followed.

1066 is not the best remembered date in British history for nothing. In the space of nine hours whilst the Battle of Hastings raged, everything changed. Anglo-Saxon England became Norman and, for the next 300 years, its fate was decided by dynasties of French rulers

How Henry II built a great medieval empire only for his wife and son to destroy it.

Why Britain was immune to the French Revolution's call - liberty, equality and fraternity.

The story of Edward I who tried to force English rule on Scotland and Wales.

Simon Schama reveals how the noble intentions of the British Empire were undermined.

Simon Schama examines the lives of two figures: Winston Churchill and George Orwell.

Simon Schama looks at the Victorian era, and the huge impact made by women of the period.

Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch - one of the world's leading historians - reveals the origins of Christianity and explores what it means to be a Christian

Diarmaid MacCulloch explores the extraordinary rise of Roman Catholic Church.

Diarmaid MacCulloch examines the concept of scepticism in Western Christianity.

Diarmaid MacCulloch explores Eastern Orthodox Christianity's fight for survival.

Diarmaid MacCulloch traces the growth of Evangelical Protestantism across the globe.

Diarmaid MacCulloch looks at the Reformation and its attack on the Catholic Church.

A series of documentaries examining the history of local people, places, inventions and events that changed the world.

A series of documentaries examining the history of local people, places, inventions and events that changed the world. Adam Hart-Davis tells the remarkable story of Thomas Newcomen, the Devon man who invented the world's first working steam-powered engine.

A series of documentaries examining the history of local people, places, inventions and events that changed the world. Horrible Histories author Terry Deary tells the story of the country's biggest and bloodiest ever battle in which 28,000 soldiers died in a single day of slaughter during the Wars of the Roses.

Chris Tarrant discovers how one simple invention revolutionised the industrial heart of Britain. He travels by narrow boat to see how the Brindley Lock created a canal network that would transform the Midlands from rural backwater to industrial giant.

From its early years until the present day, London has provided powerful, emotional inspiration to artists.This documentary evokes the city as seen by painters, photographers, film-makers and writers through the ages.

Poet and author Owen Sheers presents a series in which he explores great works of poetry set in the British landscape.Sylvia Plath is one of the most popular and influential poets of recent history but her poetry is often overshadowed by her life.

Jonathan Dimbleby travels to South America to report on dramatic changes in one of the world's least understood continents

Documentary which sheds new light on the greatest crisis to rock the British monarchy in centuries - the abdication of King Edward VIII. Usually, it has been presented as the only possible solution to his dilemma of having to choose between the throne and the woman he loved.

Documentary re-assessing the reputation of American president, Abraham Lincoln.

Mark Urban tells the inside story of Britain\'s fight for Helmand, told with unique access to the generals and frontline troops who were there.

In episode one Rory Stewart tells the story of British interventions in Afghanistan in the 19th century, when the British Empire became obsessed with the idea that their rival, Russia, was considering the invasion of Afghanistan as a staging post for an attack on British India.

Rory Stewart tells the story of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the twentieth century, and its parallels with the American-led coalition's intervention today.

A journey through the parts of Afghanistan that don't normally feature in news coverage to meet some amazing people and see fascinating places. Lyse Doucet uses her many years experience in Afghanistan to show a different side of a country which has been at war for 30 years.