History of the British Isles

Join history lecturer Hendrik Godbergsen for a detailed timeline of the key events that lead Great Britain and Northern Ireland to become the United Kingdom.

In this history lesson, learn how the Battle of Hastings between William the Conqueror and King Harold marked the beginning of Norman rule in England.

In this history lesson, learn how the Magna Carta guaranteed rights that marked a decisive step toward democracy and constitutional states.

Explore the Lordship of Ireland, a feudal period that lasted from 1117 to 1542. Learn the events that turned the Emerald Isle into the Kingdom of Ireland.

Wales, an integral part of the English kingdom, was conquered by Edward I in the 13th century; learn what lead to a national war and this historic conquest.

Learn how Scotland secured its autonomy from England in the First War of Scottish Independence between 1296 and 1328 in this quick history lesson.

Although Scotland secured its autonomy in the Second War of Scottish Independence, the country was left devastated; learn about the conflict in this lesson.

In medieval England, the Houses of York and Lancaster fought for the crown, but the Tudors rose to the throne; learn about the Wars of the Roses in this lesson

In the 16th century, England underwent a vast transformation, gaining independence from the Catholic Church and for the country during the English Reformation.

Sir Francis Drake lead a circumnavigation of the earth that was an economic and diplomatic success for England; learn the details in this history lesson.

The Spanish Armada threatened England's control over naval trade at the end of the 16th century, and the Anglo-Spanish War secured the Royal Navy's supremacy.

The Nine Years' War was the beginning of English rule in Ireland, with many more Irish-English clashes to follow. Join this history lesson to learn the details.

The English Civil War took place between 1642 and 1651 and helped solidify parliament's strength in a constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom.

In 1649, the English monarchy was abandoned. Learn about the Interregnum, and how England became a republic and military dictatorship until 1660.

In this lesson, learn what led to James II losing the crown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and then review the Bill of Rights which passed at this time.

During the Williamite War in Ireland, James II attempted to regain Protestant rule of the British Isles, and this history lesson explains the conflict.

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 was the House of Stuart's last attempt to reclaim the British throne; follow along to learn about this unsuccessful rebellion.

The Anglo-Dutch Wars spanned more than a century, and centered on trade routes controlled by England and the Netherlands; learn key events in this lesson.

Inspired by the revolutions in France and the U.S., the United Irishmen lead the Irish Rebellion of 1798; learn how they became a part of the United Kingdom.

The Easter Rising of 1916 was the first Irish attempt to gain independence in the 20th century. Learn the details in this European history lesson.

The Irish War of Independence lasted two years, at the end of which Ireland gained its independence from the United Kingdom; learn the events from 1919 to 1921.

The Irish Civil War was a short, brutal battle between former comrades. Join this history lesson to explore the events of this period between 1922 and 1923.