A History Of Britain

■ISffl PENGUIN R EA D E R S A H is to ry of B ritain iona Beddall %i3J Eurrcf A History of Britain FIONA BEDDALL Level 3 Series Editors: Andy Hopkins and Jocelyn Potter Contents page Introduction Chapter 1 Invaders Chapter 2 The United Kingdom Chapter 3 God and Government Chapter 4 Parliament against King Chapter 5 Power to the People Chapter 6 Britain’s Great Empire Activities V 1 4 11 17 23 28 37 Introduction In the 1930s, about a quarter of the world's population was ruled by the British. (The sun never goes down on our empire/ they said. They meant that it was always daytime somewhere in the Empire. They also meant that their empire was for ever. O f course, no empire is for ever. Britain lost its empire after the Second World War, but before that the British Empire was the largest in history. This book tells Britain’s story, from its days as part of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago. It describes the different groups of people who have lived there. It shows how the four countries of the United Kingdom —England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland —came together as one state. And it explains the birth of Parliament and the battles for power between kings, religious groups and ordinary people. It also tells the stories of some of the great, and not-so-great, men and women who shaped the British nation. In these pages you will find out how Henry VIII’s love life brought a new religion to the people of England. You will meet Oliver Cromwell. He destroyed a king’s power and then ruled England in his place. And you will learn about some of Britain’s great queens. Boudica was a dangerous enemy to the Romans. Elizabeth I was a strong ruler who made England one of the most powerful countries in Europe. Victoria was Empress of India and Queen of Britain’s lands around the world. You will also find out about the ordinary men and women of British history. Some of them left Britain and built new lives across the seas in America, Australia and New Zealand. Others stayed in Britain, but life changed for them too. This book explains how Britain’s past formed Britain today. v TIMELINE OF BRITAIN Julius Caesar lands in Britain Boudica fights the Romans 793 The Vikings start attacking Britain England in the Roman Empire Angles and Saxons control England Viking kings control England Saxon kings o f England Norman kings o f England — ~ Tudor kings and queens o f England Stuart kings o f England and Scotland Rule of Oliver Cromwell Stuart kings and queens o f England and Scotland Parliament controls Britain 55 b c 60 a d 1 11066 The Battle of Hastings is won by William the Conqueror 1171 The Norman invasion o f Ireland 1215 Magna Carta 1264 England’s first parliament 1284 Wales loses independence from England i 1534 Henry VIII becomes head o f the I _____ Church o f England 1 LllJ 1588 The Spanish invasion o f Britain fails 1620 The Mayflower sails to N ew England 1649 War between Charles I and Pa