FROM THE IRON AGE TO THE GOLDEN AGE

ANCIENT MYSTERIES:

Stonehenge is a mysterious group of huge standing stones. The buldiers used two types of stone: bluestones and Sarsen. What was the purpose? Many people belive thath the stones were placed in this way to look at the movement of the stars and the sun and moon. It was probably also important for the religion of the people who bulit it.

THE CELTS:

The Celts lived in Britain in the Iron Age from around 600 BCE. The came from Central Europe and we know about the Celts from the objects which archaeologists have found and from some Greek and Roman writers.

A WARRIOR QUEEN:

In 55 BCE, Julius Caeser invaded Britain. The Celts were great warriors but the Romans had better organisation and defeated them. Caesar returned in 54 BCE. This time the Roman army crossed the Rover Thames but Caesar left after the Britons agreed to give money to the Romans.
In CE nearly a hundred years later, The Roman Emperor Claudius sent another army of about 50000 men to Britain.
Camulodunum (Colchester) was the first capital.

THE ROMAN OCCUPATION:

Londinium now became the new Roman capital. The romans improved the services in the country, and built straight roads such as Watling Street. But they did not control Scotland. The Emperor visited Britain and decided to build a wall across the north of England to defend Roman Britain against the Picts in Scotland.

THE KING BURIED IN A SHIP:

In CE 410 the Romans left Britain. They went to defend Rome against the barbarians. The invaders took control of the country. In the 7th century a king was buried at Sutton Hoo. His people pulled a long wooden ship up a hill and buried him in it.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS AND THE VIKINGS:

The Anglo-Saxons had a big influence on England. They divided the country into five kingdoms. In CE 597, a monk called Augustine came to England.
Vikings began to attack Britain.

THE NORMANS:

1066 is the best known date in British history. A duke from Normandy, on the north coast of France said that he was the real king of England and invaded it. The Normans fought againts him and won. The Normans created a feudal system, where they were the lords and the Saxons were the serfs.

THE MIDDLE AGES:

The king and the church had great power.
There was a fight for power between the kings and the rich men in England. In 1348 the Black Death came to England. This was a terrible disease which passed from one person to another quickly. Throughout the Middle Ages, there were importants wars. In 1337 “Hundred Years War” between England and France. Later was a war in England between two leading families “War of Roses”

THE TUDOR PERIOD:

Henry Tudor became King Henry VII, the first Tudor king. He created the “Tudor rose”. His son, Henry VIII is famous for having six wives.
Catherine of Aragon was called “Bloody Mary” because many Protestants were killed during her reign. When she died her sister Elizabeth became queen.