GB History

HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN
The original British people were the Celts. They started to settle Britain from the 10th
century B.C. The Celtic priests were called druids and they worshipped many gods. The Celtic
language is still alive - for example in Wales.

In 55 B.C. the Roman expedition started. Julius Caesar came and named the island as
Britannia according to one tribe of Celts - the Britons. Romans built many roads, baths and also
Hadrian's wall to protect themselves from the attacks from the north.

In 500 A.D. many Germanic tribes came - for example Anglos, Saxons and Jutes. The origin
of English comes from them. The Vikings arrived from Scandinavia throughout the 9th century
and in 1066 the Normans with William invaded from France. William of Normandy fought in 1066
in the Battle of Hastings against the British king Harold. Harold was killed and the Duke of
Normandy became King William I = William the Conqueror. He brought to England the feudalism
but also a new language - French. He established also a Domesday Book and he made a national
survey and found out how many people, towns, villages and farms England had.

The next famous king was Henry VIII. He had 6 wifes. He established the Church of England
because he wanted to divorce his first wife. The official church with the Pope refused to allow
it. So Henry left the Roman Church and start a protestant English Church.

Through the reign of Henry's daughter, Elizabeth I, England prospered in many ways. She
supported Sir Francis Drake who attacked the Spanish ships with gold and jewels. During her
reign, the 1st British colony in USA arose. Its name was Virginia. But also cultural life flourished.
It's known as the Elizabethan age. Elizabeth loved music, painting and books. The most famous
writer of her age was propably William Shakespeare.

I want to mention that England was not only a monarchy. In 17th century, at the time of
English Civil War, the country was governed by Oliver Cromwell and his parliament for 11 years.

Another important queen was Queen Victoria. She ruled for 64 years. At that time, Britain
was the richest and most powerful country in Europe. It traded all over the world, industry was
replacing agriculture and the old aristocracy lost their power. Also many schools were built.
English Empire had also many colonies and some time later they were established as a British
Commonwealth.