A History of Treason

The bloody history of Britain through the stories of its most notorious traitors

A History of Treason details British history from 1352 to 1946, covering major historical moments in a fascinating and innovative way, using the history of high treason and deception as its theme.

Appealing to a range of audiences, it covers more than 650 years of momentous history through the use of both famous and lesser known events which shaped Britain. Using original documents and detailed research undertaken by The National Archives’ record specialists, it will cover moments in history which led to fundamental changes in eras. It will also include unique discoveries from these archives, uncovering mysteries and stories of how dealing with treason have brought about the changes which have influenced and shaped Britain throughout the centuries. Among these are:

– the trial and execution of Anne Boleyn on the orders of her husband, Henry VIII
– several major acts of sedition, including the Popish Gunpowder Plot and the revolution plotted in the Cato Street conspiracy
– the evidence brought against the Irish patriot Sir Roger Casement, executed at Pentonville and his remains later exhumed and given a state funeral in Ireland
– the trial and execution of the William Joyce who, as ‘Lord Haw-Haw’, broadcast Nazi propaganda from Berlin during the Second World War

The book covers many stories that explore the nature of treason and how the crown and state reacted to it – from the introduction of the Treason Act in 1352 right through to the twentieth century.

Written by experts from among the historians at the National Archives, the book is copiously illustrated with images from the unrivalled collections of The National Archives.