Medieval (974–1485)
Take a look at the oldest records in our collection, covering major events such as the Norman Conquest and the Wars of the Roses.
Explore by time period
More than a thousand years of human history live on in the records we care for. Browse stories and collection highlights by the time periods they come from.
Early modern (1485–1714)
Delve into original material from the Tudor and Stuart eras and discover stories of treason, civil war and religious upheaval.
Georgians (1714–1837)
Get a sense of this age of political unrest and conflict – the time of the Napoleonic Wars and the transatlantic slave trade.
Victorians (1837–1901)
Discover records from a time of rapid change, when millions moved around the world and new tastes, fashions and inventions held sway.
Early 20th century (1901–1918)
Learn about design, technology, conflict and women's suffrage from the Edwardian era to the end of the First World War.
Interwar (1918–1939)
Explore life between the world wars, when the actions of radical changemakers pushed the boundaries of British society.
Second World War (1939–1945)
Get closer to stories from government, the home front and the armed forces through our extensive Second World War records.
Postwar (1945–present)
See our most recent documents and witness a nation rebuilding after the devastation of war, moving towards the country we know today.