The history of Britain is a rich tapestry of social, political, economic and military events. From the earliest settlers of the British Isles, Britain’s history has been shaped by both its isolation from and proximity to mainland Europe. British history is also intertwined with that of many other societies and cultures, from the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans through to the more recent connections created by trade, empire and political unions.
British History
Prehistoric Britain
Before the arrival of the Romans, the British Isles was largely a rural and agricultural society. Farming, fishing and trade supported communities across the islands, while religious beliefs and practices varied between different societies.
Archaeological sites provide important evidence for prehistoric Britain. Stonehenge is one of the best-known sites from the Neolithic period, while Skara Brae provides evidence of Neolithic settlement in Scotland. Sites such as Maiden Castle demonstrate the complexity of Iron Age society and the development of substantial defensive structures.
Arthurian Legends
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table: Fact or Fiction? explores the evidence surrounding the Arthurian tradition and the question of whether a historical figure lies behind the legends.
Roman Britain
The Roman occupation of much of Britain shaped the development of towns, roads, buildings and political boundaries. Roman Britain also saw technological and cultural changes, alongside resistance to Roman rule.
The rebellion led by Boudicca and the Iceni is one of the best-known examples of resistance to Roman rule.
Links: Roman Britain – Caratacus – Boudicca and the Iceni Rebellion – The Roman Invasion
Saxons and Vikings
Following the departure of the Romans, Britain experienced migration, settlement and conflict involving different peoples. The arrival and settlement of the Saxons and other Germanic groups contributed to the development of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, while Viking raids and settlements transformed large areas of Britain.
The struggle between Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and Viking armies led to the development of Danelaw and distinctive political and cultural identities. Archaeological discoveries such as Sutton Hoo provide important evidence for Anglo-Saxon society.
The conflicts between Viking armies and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms continued for generations. By the tenth century, the political unification of England was developing under kings including Athelstan. The Viking presence remained significant, however, and the events of 1066 brought another major change.
1066: The Norman Conquest
1066 is one of the most significant years in English history. The invasion of Harold Hardrada was defeated at Stamford Bridge, before Duke William of Normandy landed at Pevensey.
William’s Norman army met King Harold’s forces at the Battle of Hastings. Harold was killed and his army defeated. William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.
Links: The Norman Invasion – Medieval England – Castles
Medieval Britain
The centuries following the Norman Conquest saw the development of feudal society, the expansion of royal government and the growth of towns, castles and cathedrals. The period also witnessed conflict between kings and nobles, religious change, crusading and repeated wars involving England, Scotland, Wales and France.
The English monarchy fought campaigns in Wales and Scotland. Edward I is remembered for his campaigns in both countries and for his castle-building programme in Wales. His reign was followed by the Scottish victory over Edward II at Bannockburn.
War was a recurring feature of medieval history. England was involved in conflicts with Scotland and Wales, internal disputes and the prolonged conflict with France known as the Hundred Years War.
As the medieval period drew to a close, the Wars of the Roses brought rival houses into conflict over the English crown. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard III was killed and Henry Tudor took the crown.
Links: Medieval England – The Norman Conquest – The Plantagenets – The Wars of the Roses
The Tudors
The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603. The period saw major political, religious and social changes, including the English Reformation, the dissolution of the monasteries and the development of England’s international position.
Henry VIII is particularly associated with the break with Rome, his six marriages and the dissolution of the monasteries. His children Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I each faced different political and religious challenges.
Elizabeth’s reign saw the Religious Settlement, the development of the Poor Law and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Links: The Tudors – Elizabethan England
Stuarts, Civil Wars, Interregnum and Restoration
The Stuart period was marked by political and religious conflict. The kingdoms of England and Scotland shared a monarch under James I and Charles I, while disputes over religion, taxation and the authority of Parliament contributed to the outbreak of the British Civil Wars.
Charles I was executed in 1649 and England became a republic. The Restoration brought Charles II back to the throne in 1660. His reign was affected by events including the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London.
Industrial Revolution
The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries brought major political, economic and social changes. The Industrial Revolution transformed production, employment and settlement, while the development of new technologies and industries contributed to rapid urbanisation.
The invention of the steam engine and other new machines transformed agriculture, manufacturing and transport. Industrialisation created an increasingly urban economy and changed the lives of millions of people.
Links: Industrial Revolution
Modern British History
The twentieth century brought major changes to British society and government. The Liberal Government introduced a programme of Liberal Reforms, while later developments contributed to the creation of the welfare state and the NHS.
The two world wars had a profound effect on Britain. The First World War and Second World War resulted in enormous loss of life and changed the economy, workplace and role of women. They also altered Britain’s relationship with many parts of the Empire.
Britain’s twentieth-century history is also closely connected with the development and changing nature of the British Empire.
Links: Liberal Reforms – Modern Britain – Partition of Ireland – First World War – Second World War – British Empire