Has Britain’s official history been distorted? A debate

Last month, more than a hundred historians wrote an open letter demanding changes to the history section of the Home Office’s citizenship and settlement test saying it presented a misleading view of British history. Here, Frank Trentmann – who initiated the letter – and Stephen Parkinson, a former Home Office special adviser, debate the matter. Trentmann writes in a personal capacity.

From Frank Trentmann:

Dear Stephen,

I am pleased to debate official history with you. After all, you helped write what is probably the most widely read history chapter in the country.

We – 181 historians – are not saying we have one correct interpretation of the past. We range from bright young scholars to the most eminent historians writing today, and have different philosophies and politics. But we are experts and object to the misrepresentation of history.

In my view, the problem lies in a combination of errors, omissions and distortions. The pages are littered with mistakes – e.g.