Spotlight On

Spotlight On is a series of video guides, each based on an individual collection held at The National Archives.

In each video, a specialist presenter introduces one of our collections and highlights a document from it connected to the history curriculum for Key Stage 3/4/5. Alongside each video, you can download an image of the featured document with a transcript and complete tasks connected to the content to support your studies in this area.

These guides are not just for students, teachers or researchers. We hope that anyone who wants to find out more about our exciting collections at The National Archives will enjoy them. There will be more to follow in the series as we ‘spotlight’ other records at The National Archives. 

Spotlight On: Falklands conflict

Collections expert Will Butler looks at Admiralty files about the 1982 Falklands Conflict.

Spotlight On: Brixton Riots

Collections expert Kevin Searle looks at a Home Office inquiry into the 1981 Brixton riots.

Spotlight On: Rudolf Hess

Collections expert Elizabeth Haines looks at a Secret Service personal file on Rudolf Hess.

Spotlight On: Charles II

Collections expert Neil Johnson looks at documents relating to how Charles II secured his restoration to the throne.

Spotlight On: Suez Crisis

Collections expert Mark Dunton looks at correspondence from the Prime Minister’s Office about the Suez Crisis.

Spotlight On: Baptist War

Collections expert Daniel Gilfoyle looks at records related to the Baptist War from our Colonial Office collection.

Spotlight On: Berlin Airlift

Collections expert Will Butler looks at a report on the Berlin Airlift from our Air Ministry collection.

Spotlight On: Thatcher

Collections expert Mark Dunton looks at a document relating to a cabinet meeting in 1981 during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher from our Cabinet Office collection.

Spotlight On: Russian Revolution

Collections expert Juliette Desplat looks at records related to the Russian Revolution from our Foreign Office collection.

Spotlight On: Tanks

Collections expert Will Butler looks at a tanks manual from our War Office collection.

Spotlight On: Maps

Collections expert Rose Mitchell looks at an example from our collection of maps.

Spotlight On: Domesday Book

Collections expert Jessica Nelson looks at Domesday Book in our Exchequer collection.

Spotlight On: Chancery

Collections expert Paul Dryburgh introduces the Chancery series and explores a Fine Roll of Henry III.

Spotlight On: Copyright Office

Collections expert Katherine Howells introduces two records from the copyright office collection.

Spotlight On: Office of Works

Collections expert Christopher Day introduces two plans from the Office of Works collection.

Spotlight On: State Papers

Collections expert Sean Cunningham looks at a ballad relating to the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536-7.