History

Stone circles Avebury Stonehenge are evidence prehistoric cultures, especially notable the milder south England where ancient sites abound. Julius Caesar led token Roman expeditions Britain in 55 54 BC. Roman colonisation began 80 years later, lasting 43 to about 409 AD. Scotland, at the fringe the Roman empire, resisted occupation for most the period. the departure of the Romans, Angles, Saxons and Jutes northern Europe settled, the Angles giving their name England. Several large kingdoms emerged: Northumbria the north, Mercia the midlands and Wessex the south. Vikings Scandinavia made incursions the 8th century, largely out a land hunger, settled widely the north east.

Ireland was dominated the Vikings the 10th century.

1066 British history took a decisive turn with the conquest" of England the Norman duke William who invaded from France, the last successful overseas invasion. the 930 years since then, a succession dynasties have ruled with varying prosperity popularity. Cut off mainland Europe, the country was its earlier history spared much its warfare, but has at times been at war its neighbours, notably Spain, France later Germany.

1169 Henry II England authorised an invasion Ireland, following which a large part the country came under the control Anglo-Norman magnates.

Wales came English rule during the 13th century, during the reign Edward I; but the continuing strength Welsh national feeling was shown by a rising at the beginning the 15th century.

Christianity spread the 6th century in the 7th century. Much Britain shifted Roman Catholicism Protestantism the 16th century. England retained an Episcopalian church (governed bishops), while Scotland embraced a Presbyterian system.

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Source: Copyright © The Commonwealth Yearbook 1996
Many thanks to Mr Peter Emmett (peter.emmett@hcooke.co.uk) for allowing us to use excerpts from the Commonwealth Yearbook.
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