Charles I (Cambridge Topics in History) Paperback – 11 Mar. 2010

The authors go through six stages in Charles I's life — producing original sources which give different views on the man, his culture, his Archbishop of Canterbury (Laud), his bypassing of Parliament ('Personal Rule') and the outbreak of civil war. This is a really illuminating way to teach — as there are no easy answers at all. Much of British history has been taught, in my experience, in a biased and blunt way — showing villains and heroes. This approach (which uses art and architecture as well as written texts, as sources) is so much more nuanced. It helps readers to ask questions and to be sceptical, and it avoids easy conclusions. Unused to this approach, I felt challenged by it but in a very positive way. This is an approach that we should adopt much more in our schools and universities.