The History of Great Britain

The History of Great Britain

Prehistory
2000 years ago there was an Iron Age Celtic culture throughout the British Isles. The Celts, who came from Europe in eighth century BC, intermingled with the peoples who were already there and continued to build the religious sites. Celts left many religious sites but two are the most important: Silbury Hill, the largest burial mound in Europe and Stonehenge, built between 3050 and 2300 BC.

The Roman period (43-410)
In 55 BC Julius Caesar landed in Britain with an expeditionary force. It’s the first important date in British history. The Romans conquered Britain in 43 AD. They controlled England and Wales. The Romans never went to Ireland and they had to fight with Scots and Picts. In the second century they built Hadrian’s Wall along south border of Scotland. Also they had problems with people under their occupation. [optional = In 61 Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe started revolt against Romans. Revolt fell and Boudicca died.] The Romans left Britain in 410 year. They left very little behind. The Roman remains were destroyed very quickly.

The Germanic invasions (410-1066)
Angles and Saxons were the strongest tribes that settled in Britain. These tribes had the south-east of the country in grasp, but their attack in west England was halted by Celtic army and its leader - famous King Arthur. In 432 St Patrick converted Ireland to Christianity. During the sixth and seventh century Britain became Christian. In 597 St Augustine established headquarters at Canterbury and started to control the church in Britain.
In the 8th cebtury there appeared Vikings. In ninth century they controlled parts of Scotland and Ireland. Their invasion of England was halted when they were defeated by King Alfred of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex.