When It Happened

This is a whistle-stop tour through 2,000 years of our nation's story from the Roman invasion to the Falklands War. Setting out the wide sweep of British history that is often ignored, historian George Chamier weaves together a reader-friendly combination of key dates with linking narrative. Here are all our good Kings and usurpers, low dealings and acts of heroism, moments of great conquest, empire or defeat - and through it all the story of the formation of the United Kingdom. Do you know: the difference between Vortigern, Hengist and Horsa? How the Welsh got hammered, Scotland was cleared and England got its name? Which Roman emperor was born in Yorkshire? Why King John got the nickname 'softsword'? This is a little book with an important aim - to connect all the great dates in history and put them in order to show the whole story of our nation.

George Chamier was formerly head of history at Bradfield College, Berkshire. He now lives in London and works as a freelance writer and teacher of history and politics