This episode takes in the English Civil War through the history of Oxford, the city at the heart of a vicious battle between an autocratic king and his rebellious parliament. With the nation divided, Oxford became the powerbase for Charles I and his royalist supporters - a rival capital during a conflict that played out for nine years. Alice looks inside Christ Church College, chosen as the King's court for its stunning architecture and refined grounds.
Alice Roberts visits Canterbury to explore the Plantagenet era, when the powerful house held the throne between 1154 and 1485. She discovers the secrets of the city's cathedral, a centre of ecclesiastical power and also the site of the shocking murder of Thomas Becket. She also discovers the lasting impact of the Black Death and joins a modern-day pilgrimage in medieval garb. Aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson provides a bird's-eye view of how the religious institutions of the era still dominate the city's topography.
Professor Alice Roberts explores the story of Stewart Britain by visiting Stirling, the seat of the Scottish royal family for 200 years. She joins a team of archaeologists in uncovering remnants of the docks, explores the secret passageways of Stirling Castle, learns how to make medieval ale, and discovers the origins of football.