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List of years in England facts for kids

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England has a very long and exciting history, stretching back over a thousand years! It started as the Kingdom of England in 927 AD. Over time, it went through different phases, like the Commonwealth of England and The Protectorate, before becoming part of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, and later the United Kingdom. This article will take you on a journey through some of the most important times and events in England's past.

Early England: Becoming a Kingdom

Before England was one country, it was made up of many smaller Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. These kingdoms often fought each other.

  • 927 AD: King Athelstan is often seen as the first King of England. He brought many of these smaller kingdoms together. This was a big step towards creating the country we know today.

The Norman Conquest: A New Era Begins

One of the most famous events in English history happened in 1066.

  • 1066: William the Conqueror, a duke from Normandy (part of modern-day France), invaded England. He won the Battle of Hastings and became King of England. This event changed England forever.
  • The Normans brought new ways of building, new laws, and a new language (Norman French), which mixed with Old English to create the English language we speak.

Medieval England: Kings, Castles, and Challenges

After the Normans, England saw many powerful kings and important changes.

  • 1215: King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta. This document was very important because it limited the king's power and gave more rights to his subjects. It's a key part of the history of democracy.
  • 1337-1453: The Hundred Years' War was a long series of conflicts between England and France. It was fought over who should rule certain lands in France.
  • 1348-1349: The Black Death, a terrible plague, swept across England. It killed a huge number of people, changing society and the economy.

Tudor and Stuart Times: Big Changes and Civil War

The 16th and 17th centuries were a time of huge change in England, especially with religion and how the country was ruled.

The Tudors: Powerful Monarchs

The House of Tudor ruled England for over a century.

  • 1485: The Wars of the Roses ended with Henry VII becoming king. This brought peace after a long civil war.
  • 1534: King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and created the Church of England. This was a massive religious change.
  • 1588: Queen Elizabeth I famously defeated the Spanish Armada. This was a huge victory for England and made her a very popular queen.

The Stuarts and the English Civil War

The 17th century saw a major conflict between the King and Parliament.

  • 1642-1651: The English Civil War was fought between supporters of King Charles I and supporters of Parliament. It was a fight over who had the most power.
  • 1649: King Charles I was executed. England became a republic called the Commonwealth of England.
  • 1653-1659: Oliver Cromwell ruled England as Lord Protector during a period known as The Protectorate.
  • 1660: The monarchy was restored, and King Charles II returned to the throne. This is known as the Restoration.
  • 1688: The Glorious Revolution saw King James II overthrown without much bloodshed. William III and Mary II became joint rulers, agreeing to share power with Parliament. This further strengthened Parliament's role.

From Kingdom to Great Britain: A New Union

In the early 18th century, England joined with its neighbour.

Modern History: Part of the United Kingdom

Since 1707, England has been a key part of Great Britain and later the United Kingdom.

  • 1801: The Acts of Union 1800 joined Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
  • The 18th and 19th centuries saw the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain. This brought huge changes to how people lived and worked, with new factories and cities growing rapidly.
  • The 20th century brought two World Wars, where England, as part of the UK, played a major role.
  • Today, England continues to be a vital part of the United Kingdom, with a rich history that shapes its present.

See also

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