Free History Courses -Michael Long’s Free History Courses Autumn 2026
Michael Long is a founding member of our collective. We are grateful to Michael for providing these free courses. Please use the contact form below the course listing to apply to join these courses.
Important Update.
The Henry II course will now commence on October 14th and there will no longer be a gap between this and the Edward I course.
Hear Michael talk about History and his Courses.
Click here to hear an interview with Michael Long
Henry III and the Second Baron’s War
A Free Online Course:
Course Description
Henry III inherited the crown as a boy in 1216 amid the First Barons’ War, with Louis of France controlling large parts of England and royal power near collapse. Under the regency of William Marshal and the backing of the papacy, the young king’s forces won decisive victories in 1217, stabilising the realm. Over the following decades, his governors rebuilt the monarchy’s finances and authority until Henry assumed full control in 1227. Despite later military failures in France and periodic baronial unrest, administrative consolidation, architectural patronage, and deep piety marked Henry’s long reign. When he died peacefully in 1272, the succession passed smoothly to his son Edward—an outcome unimaginable at the desperate outset of his reign.
Over six weeks, we will look at the tumultuous events where truth is stranger than fiction. Drama, intrigue, rivalry, treachery, rebellion, pestilence, famine, and political manoeuvring resulted in Henry’s barons, led by his brother-in-law. Simon de Montfort was rebelling against him.
The reign of Henry III rarely features in the school history curriculum. Ignored and unknown to most people, the origins of our modern state lie in these Plantagenet years.
Dates: Starts Wednesdays October 14th for 6 weeks.
time: 9.30am
Online via Zoom )
Cost: Free
A Great & Terrible King: The reign of Edward I
A Free Online Course:
Course Description
To many, Edward I is the greatest English King. Aged sixty-seven when he died, he played a major role in crushing the Baron’s revolt in his father’s reign before going with his wife, Eleanor of Castile, on crusade. A major figure in European diplomacy, Edward I sought to curb France’s power in the southwest of the continent. Vilified for his conquest of Wales and hated north of the border as the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ the reign of King Edward lays the foundation for the successes England enjoyed in the next century.
Join me over six weeks to discover this largely unknown King of England and his equally unknown wife.
Dates: Wednesdays, November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th December 2nd and 9th.
Start time: 9.30am
Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
Contacting Michael Long
Please complete the form below to contact Michael about these courses. Indicate in the comments field the courses you are interested in.