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: Baptist War

Colonial Office: Records relating to the Baptist War, 1831 View video Read video transcript We hope you enjoyed watching our Education Service video with Records Specialist Daniel Gilfoyle looking at records from the Colonial Office.

Spotlight On: Thatcher

Cabinet Office: Records relating to Margaret Thatcher's Government 1981 View video Read video transcript We hope you enjoyed watching our Education Service video with Records Specialist Mark Dunton looking at records from the Cabinet Office.

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.