Britain's history spans hundreds of thousands of years and has seen a great range of social, societal and political changes. It has also been the setting for many landmark events, including the Roman invasion and the emergence of the Tudor dynasty.
The earliest known humans arrived in these lands around 900,000 years ago. They were hunter-gatherers and lived in small communities, but they had a complex social structure that changed over time.
In 55-54 BC, Julius Caesar came to the shores of Britain and was met with a fierce resistance from the local people, but he wasn't successful. The following centuries saw a number of upheavals, revolts and devastating plagues.
King Harold was defeated at Hastings in 1066 by Duke William of Normandy, and a new era began. The Norman conquest of England was one of the most momentous events in its history, transforming the country from its Saxon past to the medieval period.
The Normans' arrival led to a number of changes in the country, from its language and customs to its architecture. The resulting 'Norman' era was marked by wars and revolts, as well as by a rise in power.
Henry IV became King of England in 1399, and was crowned at Westminster for the first time since the Norman conquest. He was a popular and able ruler, but his reign was marred by a series of rebellions against his rule.
A number of royals were executed during this period, and there was a general decline in the level of wealth. A famine hit the country in 1849, killing more than a million people and leading to the emigration of many more.
After the famine, the country was in need of cash to pay for a war against France in 1803. The British Navy repelled French invasions and the country regained its empire.
In the nineteenth century, Britain played an important role as an imperial power, acquiring new resources and spreading its culture. Its influence extended across the globe and it was a key player in international relations.
There were a number of wars, including the Napoleonic Wars and World War I. In both these conflicts, Britain lost huge numbers of men.
During the 19th century, Britain established itself as a leader of world politics. It was an active member of the European Union, and its foreign policy had a significant impact on the rest of the world.
Modern Britain was shaped by the industrial revolution, and many changes in society were accompanied by technological advances. The invention of the printing press, railways, radio and television brought new ideas to everyday life.
The 19th century was the era of imperialism, and Britain had great ambitions to become an international superpower. But this era was shattered by the two World Wars.
The end of the 19th century saw a shift in the way that historians viewed Britain's role as an imperial power. Rather than focussing on the country's global connections, many historians began to write about the country's domestic developments. Those historians were influenced by works such as E. P. Thompson's "The Making of the English Working Class" and by the work of feminist writers, who challenged traditional sexism in history.
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