1. The United Kingdom HISTORY and PLACES OF INTEREST

2. Introduction The British Isles have a rich history going back thousands of years. The history of the United Kingdom includes also the history of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The history is full of invaders, wars, rulers.

3. History 4000 - 1500 BC stone age man, the first farmers, Stonehenge 1500 BC - 43 AD the age of hill forts and the Celts 43 AD - 410 AD Roman Britain, they came, they saw, they conquered 410 - 1066 the Romans left, the Anglo Saxons arrived, the Normans conquered

4. 1066 - 1154the Normans consolidate their conquest 1154 - 1485the Middle Ages 1485 - 1603Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and the Tudors 1603 - 1660 the divine right of kings to rule, then chop off their heads

5. 1660 - 1715 Restoration and Revolution, the beginning of Empire 1715 - 1815 The German Georges rule Britain 1600 - 1783Britain in North America 1815 - 1914 Peace and prosperity, the growth of Empire

6. 1914 - 1918 The First World War, carnage without a cause 1918 - 1939 The after effects of World War I, the General Strike 1939 - 1945 World War II 1945 - 2000 Post War Britain - loses an Empire, looks for the role

7. The Kings and Queens Until 1603 the English and Scottish Crowns were separated. Following the Accession of King James VI of Scotland (I of England) to the English Throne. From the end of the 17th century, monarchs lost executive power and they became subject to Parliament, resulting in today's constitutional Monarchy.

8. The best known Queen: Elizabeth gave the name to a golden age of poets, statesmen and adventurers. Known as the Virgin Queen, or Gloriana. Queen Elizabeth I 1533 - 1603

9. Claims to the throne of France led to the Hundred Years' War and the loss of almost all the large English territory in France 1312-1377 The best known King: Eduard III

10. The Historical Flag When King James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne, thereby becoming James I of England So the national flags of England and Scotland on land were continued by Graham Bartram Flag adopted 1 January 1801

11. Crosses in the flag

12. The most important WARS: The Hundred Years War 1336-1565 Wars of the Roses 1455-1487 Civil War 1642-1645 Boer War 1901-1902 World War I 1914-1918 World War II 1939-1945

13. Wales a Celtic land of mountains and coal

14. Northern Ireland Northern Protestants feel they have a right to determine their own future democratically Northern Catholics feel they have the right to be part of a united Ireland The Giant's Causeway Queen's University Belfast

15. Scotland An English army arrived to relieve the Scots siege of Stirling Bruce defeated the English army under Edward II, who was lucky to escape with his life The Scots victory at the Battle of Bannockburn secured complete Scots independence

16. England England has always played an important role in the worlds´ economy and business Big Ben Queen Bus Raining Guards Tea Bodiam Castle Stonehenge