When did British History Online launch as a pilot project?
British History Online launched in 2002 as a one-year pilot project. The platform later expanded into a permanent resource after the initial trial period concluded.
Questions about British History Online
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Which organizations manage British History Online?
The Institute of Historical Research at the University of London manages the technical infrastructure alongside the History of Parliament Trust. Both entities share responsibility for the growth and maintenance of the digital library without single ownership.
What primary sources are included in British History Online?
Major published primary sources form the backbone of this digital collection including Letters and Papers of the Reign of Henry VIII and Journals of the House of Lords and House of Commons. These documents provide direct access to historical records from the Tudor period and later centuries.
How many English historic counties does British History Online cover?
The database covers specific English historic counties including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk among others. It also includes regions such as London, the Midlands, Northern areas, Southern areas, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales with full county-level coverage.
When was Version 5.0 released by British History Online?
December 2014 saw the release of Version 5.0 with significant new features for users. This update introduced subject guides covering local history, parliamentary history, and urban history topics along with a new viewer for historical Ordnance Survey maps from Epoch 1.