The Historical Association is deeply saddened by the death of our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of our organisation and members we offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family.

For 70 years Elizabeth II has represented continuity and stability in an ever-changing world. Her life of unstinting service, duty and dedication has been an inspiration to many. She has been a symbol of an historical era as well as a participant in it, helping to create a unique and adaptable monarchy that will be talked about for centuries to come.

The Historical Association is extremely grateful for and proud of our connection to The Queen as our Patron and a supporter of our work. It was during her reign that we were granted our Royal Charter in 2006 as part of our Centenary celebrations. This was in recognition of a long connection to Her Majesty which can be traced back to one of our first Presidents Henry Marten, who was a tutor to The Queen when she was a young woman. It is that personal connection to the Historical Association as well as her national and global ones that will make this mourning period ever more poignant in Britain and across the world.

As an organisation dedicated to the love of history and the work of historians, we know that we will bear witness to these current events and be the recorders of the legacy of Her Majesty’s long and unrivalled 70 year long reign, duties we are honoured to carry out.
 

Resources

Some people including children will have found the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II emotionally difficult to manage. Therefore we are continuing to support all those who need us, including young people in schools, at this emotional and difficult time by collating resources and activities that may provide solace and help our young people to understand this historic moment in the history classroom:

Access for all:

• Webinar recording: Reigning over change - 3 recorded webinars from the HA's Virtual History Forum in 2022, including keynote 'From Austerity Britain to Instagram: marking 70 years of continuity and change'   
• Recorded webinar: Why has Monarchy survived in Europe? - Dr R. M. Morris's lecture for the HA Virtual Branch in March 2022
• The lives and reigns of Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II - recorded lecture by Tracy Borman 
• 70 years - 70 'things' that tell our story - article exploring the submissions for the HA's '70 years - 70 things' Platinum Jubilee project.  
• Dress becomes her: the appearance and apparel of Elizabeth II - Historian article exploring how the clothes and fashion choices made by HM The Queen reflected her choices as a monarch
• The Great Debate 2022: winning speeches - finalists' speeches from the HA's public-speaking competition, examining change over the last 70 years of Elizabeth II's reign 

Resources for Primary: 

• Scheme of work: The Platinum Jubilee - KS1 scheme of work 
• Scheme of work: Queen Elizabeth II - KS2 scheme of work exploring how Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered
• Poster: timeline of Queen Elizabeth II's reign  
• Article: The Elizabeth Cake - Primary History article looking at the Queen's childhood 
• The New Elizabethans (teaching sequence) - Y6/7 transition teaching sequence - NB pre-dates 2014 National Curriculum but has some useful information and activities around life in Britain in the 1950s.

Resources for Secondary:

• The Great Debate 2022: winning speeches - finalists' speeches from the HA's public-speaking competition, examining change over the last 70 years of Elizabeth II's reign 
• Secondary Education and Social Change in the UK since 1945: KS3 resource packs - highlighting a changing Britain over the last 70 years, viewed through the lens of school life 
• Dress becomes her: the appearance and apparel of Elizabeth II - article exploring the role of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion choices in her persona
• The New Elizabethans (teaching sequence) - Y6/7 transition teaching sequence - NB pre-dates 2014 National Curriculum but has some useful information and activities around life in Britain in the 1950s

Further information

If you want to find out more about the late Queen Elizabeth II or about the new King Charles III, we have collated information here: 

(Please note: the HA is not responsible for the content of external websites) 

• History and Stories (Historic Royal Palaces)
• The Queen's Life and Reign (The Royal Family website)
• Obituary: Queen Elizabeth II (BBC News)
• His Majesty The King (The Royal Family)
• Commonwealth (thecommonwealth.org)