David Miles

Caradoc Peters

Melanie Giles

Nicki Howarth-Pollard

Menna Elfyn

Ilka Tampke

David Greig

Ron Hutton

Miles Russell

Mandy Haggith

Sarah Moss

Guy de la Bédoyère

Melvyn Bragg

A BBC history of Iron Age Britain

From warrior queens to King Arthur, this epic collection explores the tribes, rulers and civilisations of Britain's Iron Age 
 
In the first millennium BC, the Iron Age arrived in Britain, bringing with it huge technological and social changes. New civilisations arose, the landscape was transformed, and societies developed new cultures and lifestyles. 
 
In this comprehensive collection, we take an in-depth look at Iron Age Britain and its inhabitants. The Essay: Unearthing Britannia's Tribes takes us on a 15-part 'woad trip' from the western reaches of Cornwall to the wilds of Scotland and Wales, as archaeologists, historians and writers reveal the peoples of ancient Albion and those who encountered them. We meet Queen Cartimandua, King Arthur, Boudicca, Pytheas and Lindow Man; hear the stories of the Cantiaci, the Demetae, the Durotriges and the Druids; and probe their myths, ideas and characters. Reaching journey's end, we learn how tribal Britain succumbed and was integrated into the Roman world. With the arrival of Caesar's armies, nothing would be the same again... 
 
Bookending this fascinating series are three episodes from In Our Time, unpacking the context behind this pivotal period of history. In the first programme, Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the transition from Bronze to Iron and the dawning of the European Iron Age; while the second and third examine the legacy of both the prehistoric Celts and their ultimate conquerors, the Romans, analysing their lasting impact on Britain today. 
 
Production credits 
In Our Time presented by Melvyn Bragg 
Produced by Thomas Morris 
 
The Essay: Unearthing Britannia's Tribes presented by David Miles, Caradoc Peters, Melanie Giles, Nicki Howarth-Pollard, Menna Elfyn, Ilka Tampke, David Greig, Ron Hutton, Mandy Haggith, Miles Russell, Sarah Moss and Guy de la Bédoyère 
Produced by Ellie Bury and Mark Burman 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (In Our Time) and BBC Radio 3 (The Essay) on the following dates: 
 
Part I: Context 
In Our Time: The Iron Age 24 March 2011 
With Barry Cunliffe, Sue Hamilton and Timothy Champion 
 
Part II: Unearthing Britannia's Tribes 
The Cantiaci 17 January 2022 
Cornwall 18 January 2022 
The Parisi 19 January 2022 
Queen Cartimandua & the Brigantes 20 January 2022 
The Demetae 21 January 2022 
Boudicca-Warrior Queen 24 January 2022 
The Maeatae 25 January 2022 
In Search of The Druids 26 January 2022 
Pytheas and the Iron Sea 27 January 2022 
Arthur Begins 28 January 2022 
Lindow Man 14 February 2022 
The Roman Orbit 15 February 2022 
The Atrebates 16 February 2022 
The Durotriges 17 February 2022 
Maidens, Matriarchs and Crones 18 February 2022 
 
Part III: Iron Age Culture 
In Our Time: The Celts 21 February 2002 
With Barry Cunliffe, Alistair Moffat and Miranda Aldhouse Green 
 
Part IV: Roman Invasion and Occupation 
In Our Time: Roman Britain 1 May 2003 
With Greg Woolf, Mary Beard and Catharine Edwards 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Nicki Howarth-Pollard

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter