The original inhabitants of Great Britain were Britons - Celts by race and were divided into many tribes.
In A.D. 43 the Romans began an invasion which resulted in the Roman occupation of Britain, which lasted over 400 years. To prevent attacks from the north the Romans built Hadrian’s Wall.
In the second half of the 5th century there where attacks from Gremany, led mainly by Angles, Saxons and Jutes. They settled on the east and south-east coast and began to spread across the island, driving back the original Britons into the western and northern part.
At the beginning of the 9th century the Danes and the Norsemen attacked England.
William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) was crowned 1066. Henry I. issued a Charter of Liberties.
Very famous is king Richard the Lion-Heart. After his death in war in France, his brother John I. the Lackland lost almost all the English territories in France. In conflict with barons he was forced to sign the Magna Charta Libertatum in 1215.
Hundred Years’ War (1338-1453) It began as a war between kings, but later on it became a war between two nations, British and French. In the end, the French led by Joan from Arc won and made English lose their power in France.
The Wars of the Roses took place in the 15th century.
Henry VIII. (1509-1547) is known as a king who had 6 wives and established the Church of England.
Elizabeth I (1558-1603) (his daughter) In her age - called Elizabethan Age – England prospered in many ways. She enforced the Protestant religion by law. England became the leading power on the sea, which led to colonial developement of the Engllish power in America and East India. The Rennaissance reached its height because of the works of many important artists (Shakespeare). Also the trade prospered.
The Civil war in England was beteen king Charles I. and parliament. It was won by the Parliament.
England was ruled by Oliver Cromwell as the Lord Protector and from 1649 to 1660 England was a republic. But after Oliver Cromwell’s death there was no suitable man for the leading position, so the monarchy was renewed.
At the end of the 18th century England became the richest country in the world, it was transformed from an agricultural to a manufacturing country – Industrial Revolution (Stevenson invited a steam engine, textile machines were developed).
The Napoleonic War (1803-1815) between Britain and France: Napoleons plan to invade England failed when Admiral Nelson defeated the French at Trafalgar.
Queen Victoria reigned from the beginning of the 19th century till the end of this century. Large parts of Africa and Asia were added to the empire during her reign. She made changes in education, society, etc.
During the decade after the WW II Britain had to recognize the independence of the majority of its colonies. Nevertheless, most remained members of the Commonwealth.
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