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England Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in England's history.
RON EMBLETON—THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES
55 B.C.–54 B.C.
Julius Caesar leads two Roman invasions of what is now Britain. The invasions fail, but open the door for Roman emperor Claudius’s successful conquest in 43 A.D. The Romans build about 10,000 miles of road during their 400-year occupation.1066 A.D.
France’s William, Duke of Normandy, defeats Harold II, the Anglo-Saxon King, at the Battle of Hastings. William becomes King.1096
Teaching begins at the site of Oxford University, the world’s oldest English-speaking university.1215
King John is forced to sign the Magna Carta. The document gives English people basic rights.1348-1350
The bubonic plague sweeps across England. It kills about one-third of the population.1509-1603
During the reigns of King Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I, the Church of England splits from the Roman Catholic Church.
THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES
1837-1901
Queen Victoria becomes Britain’s longest-ruling monarch. The Prime Minister and Parliament become more powerful, and the country moves toward a democratic system of government.1914-1918
Britain and its allies defeat Germany in World War I.1939-1945
During World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill leads the British to victory against Germany, Japan and Italy.1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first woman Prime Minister.1997
After ruling Hong Kong for 155 years, Britain returns control of the former colony to China.
AP