A History of Britain in 21 Paintings

AN ILLUMINATING HISTORY OF BRITAIN FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR ALICE LOXTON The past is like a dark forest. Most of the details of our ancestors' lives are forgotten, lost in the mists of time. Yet there are many sources - fireflies - that survive to illuminate our understanding of the past. In this case, those fireflies are paintings. In this vibrant and insightful book, Alice Loxton travels across Britain in search of twenty-one extraordinary paintings. From the wall art of St Cadoc's Church near Cardiff and the exquisite detail of daily life portrayed by L.S. Lowry to landmark works including 'The Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I and Millais' 'Ophelia', Loxton creates a fresh, transformative history of Britain. Considering each piece from the viewer's perspective, she explores how it feels standing before them, what they are trying to tell and what their real-life inspiration reveals about the period when they were created. Along the way, Loxton explores the lives of everyday people, unveils the historical, social and cultural shifts these paintings reflected and inspired, and challenges some of Britain's most famous myths (who really was St George? Did the people of the Middle Ages think the world was flat? Why do Scots wear tartan? Why do us Brits love going to the pub?). This sweeping history reminds us that there are incredible stories to be discovered all across Britain, if only we take the time to look.

Alice Loxton is a bestselling author, historian and presenter, with more than three million followers on social media (@history_alice). She is passionate about bringing history to new audiences and has worked with organisations including The National Trust, The Royal Academy, English Heritage, The National Gallery, Tate, The King's Foundation, and 10 Downing Street. In 2025 Alice judged The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and is on the judging panel for Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2026. Alice is the author of three bestselling books, including Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen and Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, which was named Blackwell's Book of the Year in 2024.