1. A Brief History of England (This is sort of like covering the majority of North American history in 6 slides!)

2. BC years - native Britons / Celts inhabited the area BC years - native Britons / Celts inhabited the area AD 43 - Romans arrived in Britain (eventually built Hadrians Wall - page 165) AD 43 - Romans arrived in Britain (eventually built Hadrians Wall - page 165) AD 500s - Angles / Saxons arrived from Europe (see map - page 177) AD 500s - Angles / Saxons arrived from Europe (see map - page 177) AD 800s - Vikings arrived & eventually settled during the Early Middle Ages (see map - page 297) AD 800s - Vikings arrived & eventually settled during the Early Middle Ages (see map - page 297)

3. 1066 - Anglo-Saxon king Edward died with no heir 1066 - Anglo-Saxon king Edward died with no heir Thus, Britains throne was open & William the Conqueror (of Normandy, France) invaded - he became the King of England Thus, Britains throne was open & William the Conqueror (of Normandy, France) invaded - he became the King of England His successors established a strong High Middle Ages kingdom (see map - page 310) His successors established a strong High Middle Ages kingdom (see map - page 310)

4. Four generations after William the Conqueror, one of his descendants, John, became king Four generations after William the Conqueror, one of his descendants, John, became king John was not popular due to military defeats & tax increases, & in 1215 he was forced by nobles to accept the Magna Carta John was not popular due to military defeats & tax increases, & in 1215 he was forced by nobles to accept the Magna Carta The Magna Carta limited royal power, prevented the king from raising taxes w/out consulting the nobles, & granted trial by jury The Magna Carta limited royal power, prevented the king from raising taxes w/out consulting the nobles, & granted trial by jury

5. Johns heirs saw the writing on the wall - they would have to consult the nobles & the growing middle class merchants of the Late Middle Ages Johns heirs saw the writing on the wall - they would have to consult the nobles & the growing middle class merchants of the Late Middle Ages In other words, they consulted Parliament In other words, they consulted Parliament By AD 1400 (Late Middle Ages) Parliament was divided into the House of Lords (nobles & clergy) & the House of Commons (knights & merchants) By AD 1400 (Late Middle Ages) Parliament was divided into the House of Lords (nobles & clergy) & the House of Commons (knights & merchants)

6. During this same time period (Late Middle Ages) England was at war with France (because France wanted all European continental land controlled by England) (see map - page 332) During this same time period (Late Middle Ages) England was at war with France (because France wanted all European continental land controlled by England) (see map - page 332) This was the Hundred Years War (1337-1453), & France won (aided by Joan of Arc) This was the Hundred Years War (1337-1453), & France won (aided by Joan of Arc) This war delayed the arrival of the Renaissance in England (late 1400s) This war delayed the arrival of the Renaissance in England (late 1400s)

7. The Hundred Years War also created an internal English conflict - noble families upset about Englands defeat struggled to gain the throne The Hundred Years War also created an internal English conflict - noble families upset about Englands defeat struggled to gain the throne This new conflict was the War of the Roses - the Lancaster familys symbol = red rose & the York familys symbol = white rose This new conflict was the War of the Roses - the Lancaster familys symbol = red rose & the York familys symbol = white rose Finally, in 1485, a Lancaster (Henry Tudor) won, married the York heiress, & became Henry VII Finally, in 1485, a Lancaster (Henry Tudor) won, married the York heiress, & became Henry VII

8. This marked the beginning of Absolutism in England (an admittedly weak absolutism) This marked the beginning of Absolutism in England (an admittedly weak absolutism) The Age of Absolutism (~1500 - 1789) was a period during which powerful European monarchs ruled, & believed that their right to rule came directly from God The Age of Absolutism (~1500 - 1789) was a period during which powerful European monarchs ruled, & believed that their right to rule came directly from God This latter belief was known as divine right - the theory that monarchs received power from God, & answered only to God for their actions This latter belief was known as divine right - the theory that monarchs received power from God, & answered only to God for their actions