Military history of England Facts for Kids

The military history of England and Wales tells the story of battles, wars, and armies in these lands before 1707. That's when England and Wales joined with Scotland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This history is full of brave knights, powerful kings, and many important events that shaped the future.

Early Battles and Viking Invasions (455–1066)
- Key Viking Battles
- The Norman Conquest (1066)
Medieval Conflicts (1066–1485)
Early Modern Conflicts (1485–1707)
See also

Early Battles and Viking Invasions (455–1066)

The earliest military events in England and Wales involved local kingdoms fighting each other. Then came the Vikings. These fierce warriors from Scandinavia started raiding England in 793. They often attacked monasteries and towns.

Key Viking Battles

Battle of Aclea (851): A big battle where the English fought the Vikings.
Battle of York (867): The Vikings captured the important city of York.
Alfred the Great (871–899): King Alfred was famous for fighting the Vikings. He won a major victory at the Battle of Edington in 878. This helped save Anglo-Saxon England from complete Viking rule.
Battle of Assandun (1016): Another big battle against the Vikings, but this time the English lost.
Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066): King Harold Godwinson of England defeated a Viking invasion. This was just before another huge event.

The Norman Conquest (1066)

The year 1066 was a turning point. After the Battle of Stamford Bridge, King Harold had to quickly march his army south. This was because William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, had invaded England.

Battle of Hastings (1066): William defeated and killed King Harold. This battle led to the Norman conquest of England. It changed England forever, bringing new rulers, language, and ways of life.

Medieval Conflicts (1066–1485)

After the Norman Conquest, England and Wales saw many more conflicts. These included rebellions, civil wars, and wars with neighboring countries like Scotland and France.

Rebellions and Civil Wars

Rebellion of 1088: An early rebellion against the new Norman king.
The Anarchy (1138–53): This was a terrible civil war in England. It was fought between supporters of King Stephen and Empress Matilda for the throne.
First Barons' War (1215–17): English barons fought against King John. They were unhappy with his rule and how he treated them.
Second Barons' War (1264–67): Another civil war where barons fought against King Henry III.
Welsh Uprising (1282): Welsh leaders fought for independence from English rule.

Wars with Scotland and France

First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328): England tried to control Scotland. A famous battle was the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), where the Scots won a big victory.
Hundred Years' War (1337–1453): This was a very long series of wars between England and France. English kings claimed the French throne. Famous battles like Crécy and Agincourt happened during this time. English archers were very important in these battles.

The Wars of the Roses (1455–1485)

This was a series of civil wars in England. Two powerful families, the House of Lancaster (symbol: red rose) and the House of York (symbol: white rose), fought for the English throne.

The wars ended with the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485). Richard III, the last Yorkist king, was killed. Henry Tudor won and became King Henry VII, starting the Tudor dynasty.

Early Modern Conflicts (1485–1707)

The period after the Middle Ages also saw many wars. England and Wales became more involved in conflicts across Europe and even in new colonies.

Wars with European Powers

Italian Wars (1494–1559): England sometimes got involved in these wars in Italy, fighting alongside or against other European powers.
Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604): This long war involved battles in Europe, the Americas, and on the seas. A famous part was the attempted invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588, which failed.

Conflicts in Ireland and the Americas

Desmond Rebellions (1569–83) and Nine Years' War (Ireland) (1594–1603): These were major conflicts where England tried to control Ireland.
First Anglo-Powhatan War (1609–1613): As England started colonies in North America, conflicts arose with Native American tribes, like the Powhatan people.

The Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1639–1651)

This was a series of linked conflicts across England, Scotland, and Ireland.

English Civil War (1642–1651): This was the most important part. It was a huge civil war in England between Parliament (led by Oliver Cromwell) and King Charles I.
- First English Civil War (1642–1646): Parliament's army, the New Model Army, became very strong.
- Second English Civil War (1648): The King tried to regain power but failed.
- Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649–53): Cromwell led an invasion of Ireland.
- Third English Civil War (1650–1651): Charles I's son, Charles II, tried to reclaim the throne but was defeated.
The English Civil War led to the execution of King Charles I and a period where England was a republic, not a monarchy.

Later Wars

Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652–54, 1665–67, 1672–74): England fought several naval wars against the Netherlands for control of trade routes.
Monmouth Rebellion (1685): Another attempt to overthrow a king, James II, which failed.
Nine Years' War (1688–1697): England joined other European countries fighting against France.
Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691): This was part of the Jacobite Rebellions. It was fought between supporters of King James II and William of Orange. The Battle of the Boyne (1690) was a key battle.
War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1713): England was involved in this major European war. It was fought to decide who would be the next king of Spain.

This history shows how England and Wales were shaped by many conflicts, both at home and abroad, leading up to the creation of Great Britain. For military history after 1707, you can look at the military history of the United Kingdom.

Military history of England facts for kids

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