What are Wordless Stories?
Wordless Stories are completely text-free, illustrated narratives that have a unique power to unlock and fire up young people’s interest in History. They are centered around Visual Literacy, the ability to ‘read’ pictures to acquire and retain knowledge.
They are designed for young people aged 12-19 years:
- with Learning Disabilities
- with behavioural and/or emotional challenges
- who struggle with printed text
- who struggle with attention span
- with English as an Additional Language
These resources can be used with students as part of history lessons or wider development. They can be printed out or displayed on an interactive whiteboard or handheld devices.
Skills these stories support
- Visual Literacy
- Oracy
- Critical thinking
- Historical enquiry
- Sequential thinking
- Listening
- Focus
- Observation
- Team working
Our First Wordless Story
Story and teaching resources
How did an unwanted daughter become a legendary monarch? Explore major events in Elizabeth I's early life before she became queen.
How to begin
How to read a Wordless Story
This guidance outlines a structured approach to reading a wordless story, with clear stages designed to support diverse learners.
The Importance of Visual Literacy
Why building visual literacy through wordless stories is important to teaching practice.
About this project
At Historic Royal Palaces, we are creating a unique series of wordless stories inspired by UK history and rooted in the palaces we care for. Each story explores a historical figure through the lens of their early life, highlighting the moments and experiences that helped shape who they would become. These narratives open up meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with universal themes such as loss, fear, isolation, family relationships, responsibility, loyalty, and inner resilience.
Every wordless story in our series will be supported by step-by-step Visual Literacy manuals.
The Wordless Stories Project was launched in early 2025 following an in-depth consultation with teachers from special schools. Our partner schools are helping to develop each story’s key themes, and shaping its illustrations through in-person testing with their students. The project will produce four wordless stories by Autumn 2027, along with supporting resources for use in UK schools and by Home Educators.
Look out for more stories in the series:
- 2026: Princess Victoria
- 2027: William of Normandy
- 2027: Princes in the Tower
Stay up to date with Wordless Stories
Subscribe to our Teacher Network Newsletter to hear about new wordless stories, resources and CPD.
For information or assistance please contact the Wordless Stories team at wordlessstories@hrp.org.uk
Learning resources
Browse more free learning resources including videos, quizzes, biographies and visual stories of our palaces.
Historic Royal Palaces’ Wordless Story programme has been generously supported by The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.