Historical survey
From pre-history to the Romans
During the Stone Age people migrated to what is now Britain across the land bridge that joined it to the rest of Europe. These tribes were eventually left to develop their own culture when the (...)
The Anglo-Saxon period
In 410 CE Emperor Constantine recalled the Roman legions from Britain to defend the Rhine frontier. Breakdown of Roman law and civilisation followed. Towns suffered raids from continental (...)
The Middle Ages
By the reign of Edward the Confessor the country was effectively divided into competing earldoms. Harold, the most powerful of the earls, claimed the throne when Edward died in 1066. His claim (...)
The Reformation
King Henry VIII tried to secure the Pope’s permission to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. When the Pope did not co-operate, Henry took over jurisdiction of the English Church in 1534. The (...)
The 17th century
England and Scotland were brought together under the Stuart monarchs following the death of Elizabeth (though they were not formally joined until the Act of Union 1707). Religious tensions (...)
Industry and Empire
Britain prospered during the 18th century. Overseas territories were gained, though the American colonies were lost. The industrial revolution began. Between his evangelical conversion in 1738 (...)
Modern times
The First World War helped to precipitate an era of social change, starting with votes for women. Ireland was partitioned in 1921; the six northern counties (where Protestants were in a (...)