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Level 3 – Pre-Intermediate A History of Britain

Teacher’s Notes

A History of Britain
By Fiona Beddall

Summary
More than 2,000 years of times past are brought to life in this lively and interesting account of Britain’s history. It reveals the main events, characters and movements that have made Britain the country it is today.Although a small country, Britain’s history is important on the world stage, and this book places Britain within its world context. Beginning with the Romans’ invasion of Britain in 55bc, the book follows Britain’s history in a broadly chronological order, though the chapters are organised thematically. Feature boxes within the main body of the text also describe some of the most famous characters fromBritish history in more depth. Some social history, as well as political history, is also covered. Chapter 1 is called ‘Invaders’, and it covers the period of British history from 55bc until the last successful invasion of Britain by a foreign army in 1066. After the Romans came the Angles and Saxons, the Vikings and then the Normans. Each of these different invaders during these early years hadan important influence on Britain, its language, culture and its people. The chapter profiles one of Britain’s most spirited heroines – Boudica. She fought fiercely against the Romans for the right to govern her own people and land. Chapter 2 explains the complicated relationships between the four countries which comprise ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.’ (These areEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.) The chapter pays particular attention to the long and difficult relationship between England and Ireland, and the causes of the religious and social tensions that still exist between the two countries today. Chapter 3 – ‘God and Government’ – covers the part of British history known as the Tudor period. It describes the reigns of Henry VIII and hischildren (most notably, Queen Elizabeth I). During this time, Britain changed from a Catholic country to a Protestant one. The chapter explains the reasons why – and the consequences. Chapter 4 continues Britain’s story from the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. This period of British history is dominated by the battle for power between the monarchy and parliament, representing the people. The textreviews the growth of ‘people power’ in Britain from the Magna Carta (an early British bill of rights – the only in existence) to the present day. In particular, it covers the English Civil War, when supporters of Charles I and supporters of Parliament fought fiercely all over the country. Chapter 5 turns to social history, and tells the story of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on Britishsociety. It describes the dreadful condition of workers’ lives in the 18th and 19th centuries and the resulting growth of a revolutionary spirit amongst the people. But Britain was able to modernise and improve peoples’ lives without violent revolution. This chapter explains how and why.
© Pearson Education Limited 2006

Finally, Chapter 6, looks at the growth and decline of Britain’s greatempire. It explains how Britain’s earlier history meant it was able to acquire new lands across the globe and highlights the importance of Britain’s great hero, Admiral Nelson. Britain’s roles in World War I and World War II are described too. The book ends with an evaluation of Britain’s place in the world today.

Background and themes
Although Britain is a small country, it still plays arelatively important role on the world stage. Much of its history, too, is important on a world scale; and the themes of its history are those of the history of mankind. Religion – particularly the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant divisions of Christianity – has played a vital part in making Britain the country it is today. Henry VIII began the process of changing Britain from a Catholic...