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Timeline: Britain

Years: c. 800,000 years ago - 2011	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736186

Jump to a year:

BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 800,000 years ago	Humans are by this time living in Britain, in what is now Norfolk, and are making stone tools Go to Stone Technology in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory British Isles Europe
c. 2500 BCE	A small neolithic community builds a village at Skara Brae in the Orkneys, of stone houses with built-in stone furniture Go to Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Architecture British architecture Scotland British Isles Europe A superb passage grave is built at Newgrange in Ireland Go to Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Architecture British architecture Religion British Isles Europe Ireland At Stonehenge, constructed and altered over many centuries, the largest stones are put in place Go to Stonehenge in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Religion British Isles Europe
c. 2200 BCE	A ring of large standing stones is raised in England at Avebury, now a village in Wiltshire Go to Avebury in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Religion British Isles Europe
c. 2000 BCE	The Beaker people arrive in Britain, bringing several desirable commodities - including horses, alcohol and bronze Go to Beaker culture in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Migration British Isles Europe Society
c. 310 BCE	Pytheas, a Greek explorer, sails up the west coast of Britain and finds beyond it a more northerly land which he calls Thule Go to Pytheas (c. 310–306 bc) in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Exploration British Isles Europe Society
c. 300 BCE	The Celts move across the Channel into Britain, soon becoming the dominant ethnic group in the island Go to Celt in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE 3rd century BCE Celts Migration British Isles Europe Society
55 BCE	Julius Caesar makes the first of his two invasions of Celtic Britain Go to Gallic wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Roman Britain Celts Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Greece Society
54 BCE	Julius Caesar returns to Britain for a second visit, this time reaching north of the Thames into the kingdom of Cassivellaunus Go to Cassivellaunus in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Greece
c. 50 BCE	A body preserved in the tannin of Lindow Moss, an English peat bog, is probably a sacrificial victim of the Druids Go to Lindow Man in A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Religion British Isles Europe
c. 40	The death of Cymbeline is a prelude to the renewed Roman invasion of Celtic Britain Go to Cymbeline (c.42 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman Britain Celts Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Society
43	The Romans invade Britain and the tribal leader Caractacus fails to hold them in an encounter near the Medway Go to Caractacus in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Empires The emperor Claudius catches up with the Roman army, waiting at the Thames for him to lead the final victory over the English tribes Go to Claudius (ad 41–54) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Empires The Roman emperor Claudius reaches Colchester, where a temple is erected to him as a god Go to Claudius (ad 41–54) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Religion Europe Empires
47	Roman legions build the Fosse Way, a raised road with a ditch on each side stretching from Lincoln to Devon Go to Fosse Way in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Travel and transport Technology Engineering Europe Society Empires
60	Boudicca launches a devastating attack on Roman soldiers and settlers, destroying their headquarters at Colchester Go to Boudicca (62 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Protest and rebellion Europe Empires
77	Agricola, appointed Roman governor of Britain in AD 77, establishes Chester as a stronghold from which to control the Welsh tribes Go to Agricola in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Wales Europe Empires
83	Agricola defeats the tribes of Scotland at an unidentified place called Mons Graupius, probably almost as far north as Aberdeen Go to Agricola in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Scotland Europe Empires
c. 100	The Celtic chieftains of Britain adapt willingly to Roman customs and comforts Go to Roman Britain (43–410 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE 2nd century Roman empire Roman Britain Celts Social and domestic Europe Society Empires The first accounts of Scotland, written by the Romans, name the Caledonii as the most important tribe of the region Go to Caledonii in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE 2nd century Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Scotland Europe Empires
122	The emperor Hadrian, visiting Britain, orders the construction of a great wall from coast to coast to keep out the Caledonian tribes Go to Hadrian's Wall in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Empires
c. 142	The emperor Antoninus Pius gives orders for the construction of a defensive earthwork, to the north of Hadrian's Wall Go to Antoninus Pius in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Empires
c. 150	London develops as a prosperous trading centre, at the hub of the network of Roman roads in Britain Go to London in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Roman Britain Commerce and industry Europe Society Empires
c. 250	The Picts win a dominant position among tribes in the northern regions of Britain, or Scotland Go to Picts in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Migration Scotland British Isles Europe Society
306	Constantine's father, recently appointed Augustus in the west, dies at York and the young man is proclaimed Augustus in his place by the legions in Britain Go to Constantine (c. 274–337) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Roman Britain Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Italy Empires
c. 380	Roman legions begin to be withdrawn from Britain, leaving the Celtic population increasingly vulnerable Go to Stilicho in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Roman Britain Celts Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Society Empires
c. 400	Niall of the Nine Hostages is the first man to be called king of Ireland, though his direct control does not extend beyond Ulster Go to Niall of the Nine Hostages (c.445–53) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century 5th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe Ireland
c. 450	Angles, Saxons and other Germanic groups invade southern England and steadily push the Celts westwards Go to Saxons in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Celts Politics Conquest and colonization Migration British Isles Europe Society St Patrick creates a strong tradition of Celtic Christianity in Ireland, from his base in Armagh Go to Patrick, St in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Celts Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland Society
c. 500	Monks in Ireland live in stone beehive cells on rocky islands, to achieve maximum discomfort Go to Beehive huts in Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Religion Christianity Monasticism British Isles Europe Ireland A phallic figure, the Cerne Giant, is cut on a Dorset hillside at Cerne Abbas Go to hill figures in A Dictionary of English Folklore (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Sculpture Religion British Isles Europe According to Bede, the first widely accepted Anglo-Saxon ruler in southern Britain is Aelli, founder of the West Sussex kingdom Go to Ælle (d. c.514) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe
c. 530	St Finnian founds the first of Ireland's great Celtic monasteries, at Clonard Go to Clonard in A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Celts Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland Society
c. 550	If there is any historical basis for the legendary King Arthur, it is as a Celtic chieftain resisting the Anglo-Saxons in the sixth century Go to Aberdeen in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Celts Migration British Isles Europe Society
563	St Columba establishes a monastery on the island of Iona, from which Celtic Christianity is carried to Scotland and northern England Go to Columba, St (d. 597) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Celts Religion Christianity Scotland British Isles Europe Society
c. 580	St David founds monasteries in Wales and makes his base at Mynyw, a place now known after him as St David's Go to David, St (d. c.601) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Religion Christianity Wales British Isles Europe
597	Augustine, arriving with a party of monks from Rome, reaches Canterbury and is well received by the pagan king of Kent Go to Augustine, St (d. c.604) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Religion Christianity Monasticism British Isles Europe
c. 600	The distinction between capital and lower-case emerges in the scriptoria of the Irish monasteries See this event in other timelines: 6th century 7th century British Isles Europe Ireland The Scots, a tribal group of northern Ireland, extend their kingdom across the sea into Scotland Go to Scot in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century 7th century Migration Scotland British Isles Europe Ireland Society
c. 620	The Irish monk St Aidan moves from Iona to establish a monastery on Lindisfarne Go to Lindisfarne in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Christianity Monasticism Scotland British Isles Europe Ireland
c. 625	The treasure of an Anglo-Saxon king (possibly Raedwald, who dies at this time) is buried in a 90-foot-long ship at Sutton Hoo Go to Raedwald in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century British Isles Europe
c. 650	The Book of Durrow, one of the earliest of the great Celtic manuscripts, is written and illuminated in Ireland Go to Durrow, Book of in The Oxford Companion to Irish History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Celts Arts Painting British painting Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland Society The Vikings develop the fast and narrow longships with which they raid across the North Sea Go to longship noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe
664	The king of Northumbria summons a synod at Whitby to hear the arguments of Roman and Celtic Christians, then opts for Rome Go to synod in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Celts Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Society
c. 698	The Lindisfarne Gospels are written and illuminated by Celtic monks on the Scottish island of Lindisfarne Go to Lindisfarne Gospels in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Celts Arts Painting British painting Religion Christianity Monasticism Scotland British Isles Europe Society
c. 700	Many Anglo-Saxon kingdoms have by now amalgamated, until there are just the seven of the Heptarchy Go to heptarchy in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century 8th century Politics British Isles Europe
731	The Venerable Bede, in his monastery at Jarrow, completes his history of the English church and people Go to Bede (673–735) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe
c. 780	The Anglo-Saxons have a name for the Celts west of Offa's dyke - wealas or Welsh, meaning foreigners Go to Offa's Dyke, England in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Celts Migration Wales British Isles Europe Society
793	The monks of Lindisfarne become the first known overseas victims of a Viking raid Go to Vikings in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe
c. 800	Beowulf, the first great work of Germanic literature, mingles the legends of Scandinavia with the experience in England of Angles and Saxons Go to Beowulf in A Dictionary of English Folklore (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe Germany
838	Vikings from Norway capture Dublin and establish a Norse kingdom in Ireland Go to Dublin in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland Norway
843	Kenneth king of the Scots is accepted also as king of the Picts, providing the traditional founding event of the kingdom of Scotland Go to Picts in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles Europe
c. 850	Vikings are by now securely established in the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides, and in much of the Scottish mainland down to Loch Ness Go to Shetland in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Conquest and colonization Scotland British Isles Europe As a gesture of unity, Kenneth MacAlpin brings to Scone (a Pictish royal site) a sacred coronation stone associated with the Scots Go to Kenneth I MacAlpin (d. 858) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Scotland British Isles Europe
866	A great army of Danes captures York - the first step in the establishment of Danelaw in eastern England Go to Danby, Thomas Osborne, 1st Earl of (1632–1712) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Denmark
871	The young Alfred leads the English in their first significant victory over the Danes, at Ashdown Go to Ashdown, battle of (871) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe Denmark
878	Rhodri Mawr, or Rhodri the Great, is widely accepted as king of almost the whole of Wales Go to Rhodri Mawr (‘the Great’) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Wales British Isles Europe
886	Alfred captures London from the Danes, pressing them back into the region of Danelaw where their rule is, for the moment, tolerated Go to Alfred (849–99) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Denmark
920	After years of raiding up the Shannon, the Vikings capture Limerick Go to Limerick city in The Oxford Companion to Irish History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland
c. 950	The material of the Eddas, taking shape in Iceland, derives from earlier sources in Norway, Britain and Burgundy Go to Edda in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe France Norway
976	Brian Boru becomes king of Munster and leader of the Irish campaign against the Vikings Go to Brian Boru (d. 1014) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe Ireland
991	New waves of Danes, raiding into the English territory of Danelaw, are bought off by Ethelred with Danegeld Go to Danegeld in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Politics British Isles Europe Denmark
1014	Brian Boru, aged 73, achieves a major victory over the Vikings at Clontarf but is killed in his tent after the battle Go to Clontarf, battle of (1014) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles British Isles Europe Ireland
1017	Canute, joint king of Denmark, is accepted also as king of England after subduing the country and marrying Ethelred's widow Go to Canute (1035) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe Denmark
1040	In a battle near Elgin Macbeth kills his cousin Duncan, a rival claimant to the Scottish throne Go to Macbeth (d. 1057) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century War Battles Scotland British Isles Europe
1042	Edward the Confessor, the rightful heir in the Anglo-Saxon royal line, becomes king of England Go to Frederick II (1194–1250) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe
1057	Duncan's son, Malcolm, kills Macbeth in battle at Lumphanan - and in the following year is himself crowned at Scone Go to Malcolm III (d. 1093) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Scotland British Isles Europe
1066	On his death bed in Westminster, Edward the Confessor designates Harold - foremost among England's barons - as his successor Go to Frederick II (1194–1250) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Edward the Confessor is buried in his new abbey church at Westminster, consecrated only the previous week Go to Westminster Abbey in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians On the day of Edward's burial, Harold is crowned king - almost certainly in the same abbey church at Westminster Go to Harold II (c. 1022–66) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Halley's comet, appearing in the Normans' annus mirabilis, is later depicted in the Bayeux tapestry Go to Halley's Comet (1P/Halley) in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Science Astronomy and space British Isles Europe France Harold defeats at Stamford Bridge the joint army of his brother Tostig and of the Norwegian king, Harald Hardraade Go to Stamford Bridge, battle of (1066) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century War Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Norway Rulers and politicians The Normans, as seen in the Bayeux tapestry, invade England in Viking longships with fortified platforms for archers Go to Bayeux Tapestry in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Harold, hurrying south to confront the Normans after his victory at Stamford Bridge, is defeated and killed at Hastings Go to Harold II (c. 1022–66) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians William the Conqueror is crowned on Christmas Day at Westminster - giving the new abbey church two coronations and a royal funeral in its first year Go to William I (1028–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
c. 1080	Work begins on the story of the Norman conquest, narrated in embroidery in the Bayeux tapestry Go to Bayeux Tapestry in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Arts Decorative arts British art British Isles French art Europe France Norman earls are given territories on the marches of Wales, with the specific task of raiding their neighbours Go to Normans in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Conquest and colonization Wales British Isles Europe
1087	On the death of his father, William the Conqueror, William II becomes king of England Go to William II (c. 1056–1100) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The Domesday Book provides the Normans with an inventory of England Go to Domesday Book in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Medicine Commerce and industry British Isles Europe Society
1093	Work begins on a new cathedral in Durham, which will become an outstanding example of Norman (or Romanesque) architecture Go to Durham in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Architecture British architecture British Isles Europe
1100	On the death of his brother, William II, Henry I becomes king of England Go to Henry I (b. 1068) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1120	The White Ship strikes a rock off the Cherbourg peninsula drowning William the Aetheling, heir to the English throne Go to White Ship in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1135	On the death of Henry I, his nephew Stephen moves quickly to keep Henry's daughter Matilda off the English throne Go to Stephen , king of England (c.1097–1154) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
c. 1136	Walter FitzAlan takes a post as steward with the Scottish king, thus establishing the Stewart family and later dynasty Go to Stuart, house of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1154	Henry II, coming to the throne of England, is king or feudal overlord of an unbroken swathe of territory from the Tweed to the Pyrenees Go to Henry II (1133–89) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians
1162	Thomas Becket, Lord Chancellor to Henry II, is forced by the king to accept the vacant post of archbishop of Canterbury Go to Becket, Thomas (c. 1120–70) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1164	Thomas Becket, having offended the king by his firm stand as archbishop of Canterbury, flees to a monastery near Paris Go to Becket, Thomas (c. 1120–70) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1169	Normans land in Ireland, seize Wexford, and in the following year capture Waterford and Dublin Go to Normans in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland
c. 1170	The English exchequer grows in importance under Henry II, taking its name from the table on which financial calculations are made Go to Exchequer in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Henry II arranges for the archbishop of York to crown his son, the 'Young King', as a joint ruler Go to Henry, the Young King (1155–83) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Thomas Becket, in France, suspends the English bishops who have participated in the coronation of the 'Young King' Go to Becket, Thomas (c. 1120–70) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians After an apparent reconciliation with Henry II, Thomas Becket leaves France and returns to Canterbury Go to Becket, Thomas (c. 1120–70) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Four knights, acting on an unguarded hint from Henry II, murder Thomas Becket on December 29 in his cathedral at Canterbury Go to Becket, St Thomas (?1120–70) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1171	The English king, Henry II, acknowledges Rhys ap Gruffydd as the lord of south Wales Go to Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132–97) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Henry II, the king of England, summons the Irish and Norman lords to do homage to him in Dublin Go to Henry II (1133–89) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland
1174	The Scottish king, William the Lion, is captured raiding into Northumberland and is taken south with his feet tied beneath his horse Go to William I (1143–1214) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1175	The Gothic style is first seen in Britain in the new east end of Canterbury cathedral Go to Gothic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Architecture British architecture British Isles Gothic Europe
1176	Construction begins on London Bridge, the first stone bridge to be built across a tidal waterway Go to London bridge in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Technology Engineering British Isles Europe The first known eisteddfod is held during Christmas festivities at Rhys ap Gruffydd's court in Cardigan castle Go to eisteddfod in A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Performing arts British Isles Europe
1189	The English king Henry II is succeeded by his third son as Richard I Go to Richard I (b. 8 Sept. 1157) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1190	A year after succeeding to the throne of England, Richard I sets off east as one of the leaders of the third crusade Go to Crusades in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1192	Richard I, returning from the Holy Land in disguise, is recognized in an inn near Vienna and is imprisoned until England pays a massive ransom Go to Richard I (b. 8 Sept. 1157) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Austria Rulers and politicians
1199	On the death of his brother, Richard I, John becomes king of England Go to John (1167–1216) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
c. 1200	The longbow, a weapon of great use to English armies, is probably first developed in Wales Go to longbow in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century 13th century Weapons Wales British Isles Europe
1215	John, the king of England, fixes his seal to Magna Carta, which the barons place before him in a meadow called Runnymede Go to Magna Carta in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians In Magna Carta's lesser clauses (39 and 40) there are enshrined certain basic guarantees concerning the rule of law Go to Magna Carta in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century British Isles Europe
1216	On the death of his father, King John, Henry III becomes king of England Go to Henry III (1207–72) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
c. 1220	Llewellyn ap Iorwerth acquires such authority over other Welsh chieftains that he is informally referred to as the prince of Wales Go to prince of Wales in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1225	Magna Carta is reissued slightly modified when Henry III comes of age; in the version which becomes enshrined in English law Go to Henry III (b. 1 Oct. 1207) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1255	The pope, eager to fill the vacant throne of Sicily, offers it to a son of Henry III of England but gets no firm response Go to Henry III (1207–72) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Papacy British Isles Sicily Europe Italy
1258	Henry III accepts severe curtailment of his powers in the Provisions of Oxford, but then asks the pope to absolve him from his oath Go to Henry III (1207–72) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Papacy British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1263	A Scottish victory over the Norwegians at Largs results in the recovery of the western isles Go to Largs, battle of (1263) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century War Battles Scotland British Isles Europe Norway
1264	Simon de Montfort, leading the barons in rebellion, captures Henry III and his son Edward at Lewes Go to Montfort, Simon de, Earl of Leicester (c. 1208–65) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Protest and rebellion Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1265	Prince Edward, escaping from captivity, defeats and kills Simon de Montfort at Evesham Go to Montfort, Simon de, Earl of Leicester (c. 1208–65) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Protest and rebellion Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1267	In a treaty agreed at Shrewsbury, the English king Henry III acknowledges Llewellyn ap Gruffydd as the prince of Wales Go to prince of Wales in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1268	The first mention of a lens occurs in a manuscript by Roger Bacon, to be soon followed by the invention of spectacles Go to Bacon, Roger (c. 1214–92) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Technology Inventions and discoveries British Isles Europe
1272	Edward I is in Sicily when he becomes king of England, on the death of his father, Henry III Go to Edward I (b. 18 June 1239) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Sicily British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1282	An uprising by Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, the prince of Wales, ends with his own death and the subjugation of Wales by the king of England, Edward I Go to Edward I (b. 18 June 1239) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dynasties and royalty War Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1283	Edward I begins a series of powerful castles - Harlech, Caernarfon and Conwy in this year alone - to subdue the Welsh Go to Harlech castle in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1289	Edward I of England arranges for his 5-year-old heir to marry Margaret the Maid of Norway, the 7-year-old heiress to the kingdom of Scotland Go to Margaret, Maid of Norway (c. 1283–90) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Norway Rulers and politicians
1290	The death of Margaret, child heiress to the Scottish throne, results in John de Balliol being chosen as king Go to John Balliol (b. c.1250) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The Jews in England are driven out of the country, soon to be followed by those in France Go to Jews in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Judaism British Isles Europe
1295	The parliament summoned by Edward I in Westminster Hall is later seen as a 'model' for the breadth of its representation Go to Edward I (b. 18 June 1239) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Democracy and dissent British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1296	Edward I invades Scotland, massacres the people of Berwick, captures John de Balliol and brings to Westminster the Stone of Scone Go to Scone, stone of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1297	The English government in Dublin calls a parliament on the lines of England's recent Model Parliament Go to Model Parliament in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Democracy and dissent British Isles Europe Ireland William Wallace's victory over the English at Stirling Bridge enables him to rule Scotland on behalf of John de Balliol Go to Wallace, William (d. 1305) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1298	The English longbow, in one of its early appearances, proves too much for the Scots at Falkirk Go to longbow in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Weapons Scotland British Isles Europe Edward I's victory at Falkirk ends the career of William Wallace, of whom nothing more is heard until his capture and execution in 1305 Go to Wallace, William (d. 1305) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century War Battles Scotland British Isles Europe
1299	Southampton boasts the earliest known bowling green, mentioned in a document of this year Go to bowls in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century Sports and games British Isles Europe Society
c. 1300	The Early English phase in Gothic architecture gives way to the Decorated style Go to Decorated style in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century 14th century Architecture British architecture British Isles Gothic Europe Duns Scotus, known as the Subtle Doctor in medieval times, later provides humanists with the name Dunsman or dunce Go to Duns Scotus, Bl Johannes (c.1265–1308) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 13th century 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy British Isles Europe
1301	Edward I, conqueror of Wales, bestows the cherished title 'prince of Wales' on his own heir, the future Edward II Go to prince of Wales in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1306	After the murder of his rival, in a church in Dumfries, Robert de Bruce is crowned king of Scots at Scone Go to Robert I (‘the Bruce’) (b. 11 July 1274) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Terrorism and assassination Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Robert de Bruce, in hiding on the island of Rathlin, is supposedly given a lesson in perseverance by a spider Go to Robert I (‘the Bruce’) (b. 11 July 1274) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics British Isles Europe Ireland
1307	The English king Edward I dies campaigning near Carlisle, on an expedition north against his Scottish rival Robert the Bruce Go to Edward I (b. 18 June 1239) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians On the death of his father, Edward I, Edward II becomes king of England Go to miniature painting in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1314	After years of guerrilla warfare, Robert de Bruce defeats the English conclusively at Bannockburn - and becomes at last secure in his kingdom Go to Robert I (‘the Bruce’) (b. 11 July 1274) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1316	Edward Bruce is crowned king of Ireland at Dundalk, but his uprising ends two years later when he is killed in battle with the English Go to Bruce, Edward (d. 1318) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles Europe Ireland
1326	Edward II is captured and imprisoned by his queen, Isabella, and her lover, Mortimer Go to miniature painting in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1327	Isabella forces Edward II to renounce the English throne in favour of their 15-year-old son, Edward III Go to Bruce, Edward (d. 1318) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Edward II, imprisoned by his wife and her lover, dies in Berkeley castle - almost certainly the victim of murder Go to miniature painting in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1328	The English finally accept a treaty, in Edinburgh, declaring that Robert de Bruce is king of a Scotland 'free and divided from the kingdom of England' Go to Bruce, Robert (1210–95) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1329	On the death of his father, Robert the Bruce, David II becomes king of Scotland Go to David II (1324–71) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1337	Philip VI of France confiscates Guienne, a fief belonging to Edward III of England - whose response begins the Hundred Years' War Go to Hundred Years War in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1340	Edward III, in Ghent, publicly assumes the title and the arms of the king of France Go to Bruce, Edward (d. 1318) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions William of Ockham advocates paring down arguments to their essentials, an approach later known as Ockham's Razor Go to Ockham's razor n. in A Dictionary of Psychology (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy British Isles Europe
c. 1347	Edward III establishes a new kind of knighthood with the Order of the Garter, conferred purely as an honour Go to Garter, Order of the in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
c. 1350	The Perpendicular style develops from the Decorated phase in English Gothic architecture Go to Perpendicular in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Architecture British architecture British Isles Gothic Europe Water power is used in England for the heavy work of fulling cloth, in mills which can be seen as a first step towards the Industrial Revolution Go to Industrial Revolution in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Commerce and industry British Isles Europe Society
c. 1367	A narrator who calls himself Will, and whose name may be Langland, begins the epic poem of Piers Plowman Go to Piers Plowman in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe One of four new yeomen of the chamber in Edward III's household is Geoffrey Chaucer Go to Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1343–1400 in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1371	On the death of his uncle, David II, Robert Stewart becomes king of Scotland as Robert II Go to Robert II (1316–90) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
c. 1375	The courtly poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tells of a mysterious visitor to the round table of King Arthur Go to Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
c. 1376	John Wycliffe, writing mainly in Oxford, is critical of the contemporary church and can find no basis for the pope's authority Go to Wycliffe, John (c.1330–84) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Reformation Religion Christianity Papacy British Isles Europe
1377	10-year-old Richard II follows his grandfather, Edward III, on the English throne Go to Richard II (1367–1400) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1381	A poll tax imposed in England provokes widespread unrest, which flares up in the Peasants' Revolt Go to Peasants' Revolt in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wat Tyler, leader of the Kentish rebels, meets Richard II at Smithfield - before being struck and wounded by the Lord Mayor of London Go to Tyler, Wat (d. 1381) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1385	Chaucer completes Troilus and Criseyde, his long poem about a legendary love affair in ancient Troy Go to Troilus and Criseyde in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1386	John I, newly victorious in Portugal, proposes an alliance with England which has never been revoked Go to John I (1357–1433) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics British Isles Europe Portugal A clock, designed only to strike the hours, is installed in Salisbury cathedral and is still working today Go to Salisbury in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Technology Inventions and discoveries British Isles Europe
c. 1387	Chaucer begins an ambitious scheme for 100 Canterbury Tales, of which he completes only 24 by the time of his death Go to Canterbury Tales in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1390	On the death of his father, Robert II, Robert III becomes king of Scotland Go to Robert III (c. 1337–1406) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Fan vaulting becomes part of the Gothic tradition, seen to perfection in the cloisters of Gloucester cathedral Go to fan-vaulting in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Architecture British architecture British Isles Gothic Europe
c. 1397	The English king, Richard II, commissions a diptych (the Wilton Diptych) showing himself being presented to the Virgin and Child Go to Wilton diptych in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Arts Painting British painting British art British Isles Europe
1398	A dangerous feud develops between two of England's most powerful barons, Henry of Bolingbroke (son of John of Gaunt) and Thomas de Mowbray Go to Henry IV (1366–1413) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Richard II banishes Thomas de Mowbray for life and Henry of Bolingbroke for ten years Go to Richard II (1367–1400) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1399	John of Gaunt dies and Richard II denies Henry of Bolingbroke his Lancastrian inheritance, declaring Gaunt's vast estates forfeit to the crown Go to John of Gaunt (b. Mar. 1340) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Henry of Bolingbroke returns to England to lead an armed rebellion against his cousin the king Go to Henry IV (1366–1413) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Richard II surrenders at Conwy to the forces led by Henry of Bolingbroke Go to Richard II (1367–1400) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Richard II is deposed by parliament and Boliingbroke is proclaimed king of England, as Henry IV, introducing the royal house of Lancaster Go to Henry IV (1366–1413) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Richard II cedes his crown to Bolingbroke, as Henry IV, and a few months later dies in Pontefract castle - probably starved to death Go to Richard II (1367–1400) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1400	Richard II dies in Pontefract castle, almost certainly starved to death on the orders of the new king - insecure on his throne as an undeniable usurper Go to Richard II (1367–1400) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The followers of Wycliffe, after his death, become known as Lollards or 'mutterers' Go to Lollards in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century 15th century Reformation Religion Christianity British Isles Europe The English mystery cycles are performed by trade guilds, on carts pulled from audience to audience around the city Go to mystery plays in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century 15th century Performing arts Theatre British Isles Europe The Welsh rise against the English and proclaim Owain Glyn Dwr as their own prince of Wales Go to Owain Glyn Dwr (b. c.1359) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 14th century 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Protest and rebellion Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1404	Owain Glyn Dwr captures Aberystwyth and Harlech from the English and sets up an independent Welsh administration Go to Owain Glyn Dwr (b. c.1359) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1406	On the death of his father, Robert III, James I becomes king of Scotland Go to James I (b. 25 July 1394) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1408	Driven from Aberystwyth and Harlech, Owain Glyn Dwr loses support - and the last Welsh rebellion fades away Go to Owain Glyn Dwr (b. c.1359) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Protest and rebellion Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1413	Henry V succeeds his father, Henry IV, as king of England Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1420	The treaty of Troyes, between the English and the Burgundian faction, grants Henry V the status of heir to the French throne Go to Troyes, treaty of (1420) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Henry V marries Catherine, daughter of the French king and sister of the rightful heir to the kingdom, the dauphin, who is on the opposing side Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1422	Henry VI, son of Henry V and Catherine of France, is king of England and theoretically king of France before his first birthday Go to Henry VI (b. 6 Dec. 1421) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1437	On the death of his father, James I, James II becomes king of Scotland Go to James II (b. 10 Oct. 1430) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1455	An engagement at St Albans is the first battle in the 30-year struggle between the white and red roses of York and Lancaster Go to Wars of the Roses in The Oxford Dictionary of Local and Family History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1460	On the death of his father, James II, James III becomes king of Scotland Go to James III (b. May 1452) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1461	The first success in the Wars of the Roses goes to the white rose, with the Yorkist prince crowned as Edward IV Go to Edward IV (1442–83) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Henry VI flees to Scotland, abandoning the kingdom to the usurping Edward IV Go to Henry VI (1421–71) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1469	Thomas Malory, in gaol somewhere in England, compiles Morte d'Arthur – an English account of the French tales of King Arthur Go to Malory, Sir Thomas (d. 1471) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe The Orkneys and Shetlands come into the possession of James III of Scotland with the dowry of Margaret of Denmark Go to Margaret of Denmark (b. c.1457) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Denmark Rulers and politicians
1475	Edward IV, landing at Calais with a large army, is bought off at Picquigny with a bribe - ending his attempt to revive the Hundred Years' War Go to Edward IV (1442–83) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
c. 1476	Caxton establishes the first English printing press in London, after working in the new trade in Bruges Go to Caxton, William (c. 1420–c. 1492) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Printing Technology British Isles Europe
1483	The English king Edward IV dies and his succeeded by his 12-year-old son as Edward V Go to Edward V (b. 2 Nov. 1470) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The two royal princes, Edward V and his younger brother, are confined in the Tower of London by their uncle - soon to be Richard III Go to Richard III (1452–85) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Richard III has himself proclaimed king by a parliament held at Westminster, and begins a short reign of only two years Go to Richard III (1452–85) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1485	Henry Tudor kills Richard III at Bosworth Field and takes the crown as Henry VII Go to Henry VII (1457–1509) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1486	Henry VII, whose mother is Lancastrian, marries the Yorkist heiress Elizabeth and thus unites the roses - in the Tudor rose Go to Tudor in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1487	Lambert Simnel, supposedly a nephew of Edward IV, is crowned in Dublin - but ends up working in the royal kitchens of Henry VII Go to Simnel, Lambert (c. 1475–c. 1535) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles Europe Ireland
1488	On the death of his father, James III, James IV becomes king of Scotland Go to James IV (1473–1513) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1491	The king of France is among those supporting Perkin Warbeck, supposedly a prince from the Tower, in his attempt on the English throne Go to Perkin Warbeck (b. 1474) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1497	Henry VII commissions the Italian navigator John Cabot to cross the Atlantic in search of new territories for England Go to Cabot, John (c. 1450–c. 1498) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Exploration British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires North America Canada
1499	After three feeble attempts to invade England, Perkin Warbeck is captured by Henry VII (in 1497) and is hanged at Tyburn Go to Perkin Warbeck (b. 1474) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1503	The marriage of James IV, king of Scotland, to Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, leads a century later to the Union of the Crowns Go to James IV (b. 17 Mar. 1473) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1509	On the death of his father, and as the result of the death of his elder brother Arthur, Henry VIII becomes king of England Go to Henry VIII (1491–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1510	Erasmus and Thomas More take the northern Renaissance in the direction of Christian humanism Go to humanism in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe Belgium Netherlands
1511	The earliest surviving curling stone, discovered in Scotland, dates from this year Go to curling in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Sports and games Scotland British Isles Europe Society
1513	James IV of Scotland dies at Flodden, in the disastrous defeat of his army by the English Go to James IV (b. 17 Mar. 1473) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War Battles Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians On the death of his father at Flodden, the one-year-old James V becomes king of Scotland Go to James V (b. 10 Apr. 1512) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1514	Thomas Wolsey begins to build himself a palace at Hampton Court, but will later consider it politic to give it to Henry VIII Go to Hampton Court palace in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Architecture British architecture Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1516	Catherine of Aragon gives birth to a daughter, Mary, who becomes the only one of her six children to live beyond infancy Go to Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1524	William Tyndale studies in the university at Wittenberg and plans to translate the Bible into English Go to Tyndale, William (c.1494–1536) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Literature English literature Literature in English German literature Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Germany
1526	Hans Holbein the Younger pays his first visit to England, and stays with Thomas More in Chelsea Go to Holbein, Hans (1497–1543) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Arts Painting British painting British art British Isles Europe
1528	Discussion of Henry VIII's proposed divorce hinges on rival verses from the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy and Leviticus Go to Henry VIII (1491–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Judaism British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians In a desperate attempt to retain royal favour, when suspected by the king of opposing his divorce, Cardinal Wolsey gives his spectacular Hampton Court Palace to Henry VIII Go to Wolsey, Thomas (c. 1474–1530) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1529	After the fall of Wolsey, Henry VIII appoints Thomas More as his Lord Chancellor Go to More, Sir Thomas (1478–1535) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1533	Thomas Cranmer, the archbishop of Canterbury, declares Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon null and void Go to Cranmer, Thomas (1489–1556) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Anne Boleyn has a child (the future Elizabeth I) but not of the sex her husband wanted Go to Elizabeth I (1533–1603) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1534	Henry VIII's Act of Supremacy forces prominent figures in English public life to accept him on oath as head of the Church of England Go to Church of England in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1535	Thomas More refuses to take the oath accepting the Act of Supremacy and is beheaded Go to More, Thomas (1477) in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1536	Henry VIII begins the process of gathering in the wealth of England's monasteries Go to Henry VIII (1491–1547) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wales is merged within the English kingdom as a principality Go to Wales, principality of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Wales British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Henry VIII's queen, Anne Boleyn, is beheaded in the Tower of London on unsubstantiated charges of adultery Go to Anne Boleyn (b. c.1501) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1537	Jane Seymour gives birth to Henry VIII's long-awaited male heir (the future Edward VI) Go to Edward VI (b. 12 Oct. 1537) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Jane Seymour dies twelve days after giving birth to Henry VIII's heir, the future Edward VI Go to Jane Seymour (b. c.1509) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1539	The Great Bible, commissioned by Henry VIII for use in every Anglican church, is published Go to Great Bible noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Christianity British Isles Europe
1542	Henry VIII's fourth wife, Catherine Howard, is beheaded on a charge of adultery with Thomas Culpeper Go to Howard, Catherine (c. 1521–42) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 British Isles Europe A one-week-old Scottish infant, daughter of James V, inherits the throne as Mary Queen of Scots Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1546	David Beaton, the archbishop of St Andrews, burns a leading Protestant, George Wishart, as a heretic and is murdered in retaliation Go to Beaton, David (c.1494–1546) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1547	On the death of Henry VIII his 10-year-old son becomes king of England as Edward VI Go to Edward VI (b. 12 Oct. 1537) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians John Knox is captured in St Andrews and is sent to serve in the French fleet as a galley slave Go to Knox, John (1514–72) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1549	The first version of the English prayer book, or Book of Common Prayer, is published with text by Thomas Cranmer Go to Book of Common Prayer noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Literature English literature Literature in English Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1553	Mary I succeeds to the English throne, and devotes her energies to the restoration of the Catholic faith Go to Mary I (1516–58) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1554	Mary I causes grave offence in England by her marriage to the Catholic heir to the king of Spain Go to Philip II (1527–98) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Spain Rulers and politicians Thomas Wyatt raises a Protestant rebellion in Yorkshire and marches south in a failed attempt to depose the English queen, Mary I Go to Wyatt, Sir Thomas (c. 1521–54) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 British Isles Europe Mary I arrests her younger sister Elizabeth under suspicion of complicity in the Wyatt Rebellion, but she can find no proof Go to Wyatt's Rebellion (February 1554) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 British Isles Europe
1555	The Muscovy Company is granted a monopoly by the crown to trade with Russia, as the first of the English chartered companies Go to Russia Company in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Commerce and industry British Isles Europe Society The Protestant martyrs, though few in number, ensure the reputation of Bloody Mary in English history Go to Mary I (1516–58) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1556	Thomas Cranmer is burnt at the stake in Oxford, after reasserting his Protestant beliefs Go to Cranmer, Thomas (1489–1556) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Christianity Europe
1558	Elizabeth I succeeds peacefully to the throne of England, after the turmoil of Mary's Catholic reign Go to Elizabeth I (1533–1603) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, becomes Elizabeth's principal secretary - and remains in the post for forty years Go to Cecil, William (1520–98) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Mary Queen of Scots marries the heir to the French throne, who a year later succeeds as Francis II Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians With its strong French connection, the Scottish royal name of Stewart begins to be spelt Stuart (there being no 'w' in native French words) Go to Stuart in A Dictionary of First Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1559	John Knox returns to Scotland from Geneva and inspires the Protestants to march on Edinburgh Go to Knox, John (1514–72) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity Scotland British Isles Europe
1560	A year after Mary has become queen of France, her husband Francis II dies Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe France Rulers and politicians
1561	Mary Queen of Scots returns from France to Edinburgh, and to an inevitable clash with John Knox Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1564	Marlowe and Shakespeare are born in the same year, with Marlowe the older by two months Go to Marlowe, Christopher in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1565	Mary Queen of Scots marries her Catholic cousin, Henry Darnley Go to Darnley, Henry Stuart (1545–67) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1566	Mary Queen of Scots' secretary, David Rizzio, is dragged from her presence and stabbed to death Go to Rizzio, David (c. 1533–66) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Mary Queen of Scots' husband Darnley is treacherously involved in the murder of her secretary, Rizzio Go to Darnley, Henry Stuart (1545–67) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1567	The Book of Common Prayer and the New Testament are published in Welsh, to be followed by the complete Bible in 1588 Go to Book of Common Prayer noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Literature English literature Literature in English Religion Christianity Wales British Isles Europe Darnley is murdered, almost certainly at the instigation of Mary Queen of Scots' lover, Bothwell, whom she marries just three months later Go to Bothwell, James Hepburn in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians A casket of letters seems to incriminate Mary Queen of Scots herself in the murder of her husband, Darnley Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The events of this year give the Protestant nobility the occasion and opportunity of deposing Mary Queen of Scots Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians On the removal of Mary from the Scottish throne, her one-year-old son succeeds her as James VI Go to James I (1566–1625) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1568	Mary Queen of Scots flees across the border to seek the help of her English cousin, Elizabeth, but finds herself kept under close guard Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1569	A rebellion in the north of England aims to put Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Protest and rebellion Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1570	Pope Pius V excommunicates the English queen, Elizabeth I, causing a severe crisis of loyalty for her Catholic subjects Go to Elizabeth I (1533–1603) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Religion Christianity Papacy British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Italy Rulers and politicians
1571	Roberto di Ridolfi, a Florentine banker, coordinates a scheme to win the English throne for Mary Queen of Scots Go to Ridolfi Plot (1571) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles Florence British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1575	English sailor and slave-trader John Hawkins turns the top-heavy carrack into the more seaworthy galleon Go to Hawkins, Sir John (1532–95) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe Empires
1576	James Burbage builds London's first theatre and calls it the Theatre Go to Burbage, James (1530–97) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Theatre British Isles Europe
1577	Francis Drake sails from Plymouth, heading west for the Pacific and the East Indies Go to Drake, Sir Francis in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Exploration British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires
1580	The first Jesuit missionaries arrive in England, with Edmund Campion among their number Go to Campion, Edmund, St (1540–81) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity Monasticism British Isles Europe Francis Drake returns to England after his three-year voyage round the world and is knighted by Queen Elizabeth on board his Golden Hind Go to Drake, Sir Francis in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Exploration British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires
1582	The 18-year-old William Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway in Stratford-upon-Avon Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1585	England's queen Elizabeth sends 6000 troops to support the Dutch rebels against Spain Go to Elizabeth I (1533–1603) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Netherlands Catholics are now the martyrs in England, their numbers almost matching the Protestant martyrs of the previous reign Go to martyr in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe The English artist John White paints the everyday life of the Secotan Indians of America Go to White, John (1585–93) in The Oxford Companion to American Literature (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Arts Painting American painting British painting Politics Conquest and colonization Social and domestic American art American Indians British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires North America United States
1586	Anthony Babington is involved in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne Go to Babington Plot (1586) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1587	Mary Queen of Scots, implicated in the Babington plot, is beheaded in Fotheringay castle Go to Babington Plot (1586) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Marlowe's first play, Tamburlaine the Great, introduces the swaggering blank verse of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama Go to Marlowe, Christopher in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe A new group of English settlers arrives at Roanoke Island and makes a second attempt at a settlement Go to Roanoke Island in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States Virginia Dare becomes the first English child to be born in America, on Roanoke Island Go to Dare, Virginia in New Oxford American Dictionary (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States Francis Drake sails into a crowded Cadiz harbour and destroys some thirty Spanish ships Go to Drake, Sir Francis in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Spain Nicholas Hilliard paints the delightful miniature known simply as Young Man among Roses Go to Hilliard, Nicholas (1547–1619) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Arts Painting British painting British art British Isles Europe
1588	The more nimble English fleet destroys the galleons of the Spanish Armada, introducing a new kind of naval warfare Go to Spanish Armada in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Spain The tactics used against the Armada reveal that the sailing ships themselves have become fighting machines, as men-of-war Go to Spanish Armada in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe
1589	An English clergyman, William Lee, develops the world's first industrial machinery, to knit stockings Go to framework knitting in The Oxford Companion to Family and Local History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries British Isles Europe
1590	An English ship, the first to arrive at Roanoke Island since 1587, finds no remaining trace of the settlers or their settlement Go to Roanoke Island in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States English poet Edmund Spenser celebrates the Protestant Elizabeth I as The Faerie Queene Go to Spenser, Edmund in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1592	After tentative beginnings in the three parts of Henry VI, Shakespeare achieves his first masterpiece on stage with Richard III Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1596	A flush toilet is illustrated in an English pamphlet, The Metamorphosis of Ajax by John Harrington Go to Harington, Sir John (1561–1612) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
1598	A manuscript, the Guildford Book of Court, uses the word 'creckett' for a game played in a Guildford school Go to cricket in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Sports and games British Isles Europe Society James VI of Scotland argues in an anonymous book that kings, appointed by God, are above human law Go to James VI (1566–1625) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1599	The Globe, where many of Shakespeare's plays are first performed, is built on Bankside in London Go to Globe Theatre in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Architecture British architecture Performing arts Theatre British Isles Europe
1600	William Gilbert, physician to Queen Elizabeth, concludes that the earth is a magnet and coins the term 'magnetic pole' Go to magnetic pole in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Physics British Isles Europe Britain's East India Company is established when Elizabeth I grants a charter to a 'Company of Merchants trading into the East Indies' Go to East Flanders in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Commerce and industry British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Electricity is given its name (in the Latin phrase vis electrica) by the English physician, William Gilbert Go to Gilbert, William (1540–1613) in A Dictionary of Earth Sciences (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Physics British Isles Europe
1601	Shakespeare's central character in Hamlet expresses both the ideals of the Renaissance and the disillusion of a less confident age Go to Hamlet [Shakes.] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1603	James VI of Scotland inherits peacefully the crown of his English cousin Elizabeth, and becomes James I of England Go to James VI (1566–1625) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The accession of James I and VI to the throne of England brings the union of the crowns of England and Scotland Go to James VI (1566–1625) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1604	The British king James I launches a blistering attack on the smoking of tobacco, which he considers a loathsome custom Go to James VI (1566–1625) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic Scotland British Isles Europe Society James I commissions the Authorized version of the Bible, which is completed by forty-seven scholars in seven years Go to Durgāpur (West Bengal/India) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Reformation Literature English literature Literature in English Religion Christianity British Isles Europe William Shakespeare's name appears among the actors in a list of the King's Men Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Theatre Literature English literature Drama British Isles Europe
1605	Ben Jonson writes The Masque of Blackness, the first of his many masques for the court of James I Go to masque in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe The Gunpowder Plot, attempting murder and treason, severely damages the Catholic cause in Britain Go to Gunpowder plot (1605) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1606	The satirical voice of the English playwright Ben Jonson is heard to powerful effect in Volpone Go to Volpone [Lit.] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1607	The earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel sail from Ireland with their families, in the event known as the Flight of the Earls Go to Flight of the Earls (1607) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland
1608	A shipload of Puritans, among them some of the future Pilgrim Fathers, sail from Boston in Lincolnshire to seek religious freedom in Holland Go to puritan in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Belgium Netherlands
1609	Shakespeare's sonnets, written ten years previously, are published Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
c. 1611	Shakespeare's last completed play, The Tempest, is performed Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1612	The establishment of a Baptist church in London is a defining moment for the Baptist sect within Christianity Go to Baptist in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1613	The Globe catches fire during a performance of Shakespeare's last play, Henry VIII Go to Globe Theatre in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Theatre British Isles Europe
1616	Pocahontas fascinates Londoners when she arrives with her husband to publicize Jamestown Go to Pocahontas (c. 1595–1617) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles American Indians British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires North America United States John Smith publishes A Description of New England, an account of his exploration of the region in 1614 Go to Smith, John (1580–1631) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature American literature English literature Literature in English Politics Conquest and colonization Exploration British Isles American Indians British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires North America United States William Shakespeare dies at New Place, his home in Stratford-upon-Avon, and is buried in Holy Trinity Church Go to Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Theatre Literature English literature Drama British Isles Europe
1620 September 16	The Pilgrims (or Pilgrim Fathers), a group of 102 English settlers, sail in the Mayflower to the new world Go to Pilgrims in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States
1620	In his Novum Organum Francis Bacon introduces a modern philosophy of experimental science Go to Bacon, Francis (1561–1626) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science British Isles Europe
1621	The first English newspaper (Corante) appears, promising reports 'from Italy, Germany, Hungarie, Spaine and France' Go to coranto in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 British Isles Europe John Donne, England's leading Metaphysical poet, becomes dean of St Paul's Go to Donne, John (c.1572–1631) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe
1623	John Heminge and Henry Condell publish thirty-six Shakespeare plays in the First Folio Go to Folio, the First in A Dictionary of Shakespeare (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Drama British Isles Europe
1625	On the death of his father, James VI and I, Charles I becomes king of England and Scotland Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The English parliament attempts to clip the wings of the new king, Charles I, by placing an annual limit on his power to raise taxes Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1626	Charles I frustrates the English parliament's restrictions by raising taxes without summoning parliament for renewed approval Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1628	William Harvey publishes a short book, De Motu Cordis, proving the circulation of the blood Go to Harvey, William (1578–1657) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Medicine British Isles Europe The English parliament's Petition of Right emphasizes the right of the citizen to be protected from royal tyranny Go to Petition of Right (1628) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1629	Charles I dismisses his parliament in Westminster, and fails to summon another in the following eleven years Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1630	John Winthrop, appointed governor of the new Massachusetts Bay Company, sails from England with 700 settlers Go to Winthrop, John (1588–1649) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States
1632	Van Dyck moves to London and becomes portrait painter to the British court and aristocracy Go to Van Dyck, Sir Anthony (1599–1641) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Arts Painting British painting British art British Isles Europe
1633	George Herbert's only volume of poems, The Temple, is published posthumously Go to Herbert, George (1593–1633) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1634	Charles I demands ship money to increase his revenue, albeit in the absence of its conventional justification - a crisis of national defence Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1635	Charles I establishes Britain's Royal Mail, employing Thomas Witherings to set it up Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
1636	A painted ceiling by Rubens, celebrating the Stuart dynasty, is installed in the Banqueting House in Whitehall Go to Rubens, Peter Paul (1577–1640) [Art] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Arts Painting British painting British art British Isles Europe John Hampden refuses to pay ship money to Charles I, beginning a campaign that gradually wins wide support Go to Hampden, John (1594–1643) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1637	Charles I and his archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud, attempt to impose the full Anglican hierarchy on presbyterian Scotland Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions John Milton's Lycidas is published in memory of a Cambridge friend, Edward King Go to Milton, John (1608–74) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe
1638	A National Covenant, first signed in an Edinburgh churchyard, commits the Covenanters to oppose Charles I's reforms of the Church of Scotland Go to Covenanters in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Reformation Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity War Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Riots erupt in Edinburgh, in response to the attempt by Charles I and Laud to impose a hierarchy of Anglican bishops Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1639	The finances of the English king, Charles I, are in crisis, with his agents able to collect each year only a fraction of his demands Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Covenanters seize control of Edinburgh and other Scottish towns, launching the conflict with England known as the Bishops' War Go to Covenanters in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1640	In need of funds for the Bishops' War in Scotland, Charles I summons parliament to Westminster Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliament denies Charles I's request for funds and is dismissed after three weeks (the Short Parliament) Go to Short Parliament (May 1640) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I's financial crisis causes him to summon another parliament to Westminster (the Long Parliament, not dissolved until 1660) Go to Long Parliament (1640–60) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions The new parliament immediately impeaches Charles I's two closest advisers, the earl of Strafford and archbishop William Laud Go to Long Parliament (1640–60) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
c. 1641	Cavalier is now in use as a term of abuse for supporters of the royal cause Go to cavalier in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Roundhead is now in use as a term of abuse for supporters of parliament Go to Roundhead noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Under pressure from parliament, Charles I signs the death warrant of his most powerful supporter, the earl of Strafford Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Parliament presents Charles I with the Grand Remonstrance, a long list of grievances against his conduct of the realm Go to Grand Remonstrance (1641) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1642	Charles I comes in person to the House of Commons, but fails in his attempt to arrest the Five Members whom he accuses of treason Go to five members (1642) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Charles I leaves London and heads for the north of England, where his support is the strongest Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I, travels to Holland, taking with her the English crown jewels Go to Henrietta Maria in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliament sends Charles I a list of political demands, the Nineteen Propositions, which it would be impossible for him to accept Go to Nineteen Propositions in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I, at Nottingham, raises the royal standard - signalling that he considers himself at war Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I leads his army into action at Edgehill - the first, but inconclusive, battle in the English Civil War Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Battles British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I marches to within a few miles of Westminster (to Turnham Green), but withdraws without engaging the enemy Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I withdraws to Oxford, where he establishes his court for the rest of the war Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1644	In the first decisive battle of the English Civil War the king's nephew, Rupert of the Rhine, is heavily defeated at Marston Moor Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Battles British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1645	Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell form England's first professional army, calling it the New Model Army Go to New Model Army in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions The royalist forces, again under the command of Rupert of the Rhine, suffer another major defeat at Naseby Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Battles British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1646	With a parliamentary army surrounding royalist Oxford, Charles I escapes in disguise and heads north Go to English Civil War (1642–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I puts himself in the hands of a Scottish army, opposed at the time to the English parliament Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1647	The Scottish army holding Charles I makes peace with parliament, and hands the king to parliamentary commissioners Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I is held at his palace of Hampton Court, as a prisoner of Cromwell and parliament Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I comes to a secret arrangement with a group of Covenanters in Scotland, winning their support Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1648	Scottish Covenanters invade England in support of the English king, Charles I, in his struggle against parliament Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliamentary forces defeat the Scottish invaders and suppress other new outbreaks of royalist support Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Colonel Thomas Pride denies entrance to the House of Commons to about 140 opponents of Cromwell's policies Go to Pride's Purge in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1649	Cromwell persuades the House of Commons, purged now of all opposition, that it is treason for a king to wage war against parliament Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles I, brought to trial before 135 commissioners in Westminster Hall, refuses to recognise the court's validity Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions After a trial lasting a week in Westminster Hall, Charles I is convicted of treason for fighting a war against parliament Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Charles I is beheaded on a scaffold erected in the street in London's Whitehall Go to Charles I (1600–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Charles II, in the Hague, inherits the English and Scottish thrones of his executed father, Charles I Go to Charles II (1630–85) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliament in London abolishes the monarchy in England, as 'unnecessary, burdensome, and dangerous' Go to Rump Parliament in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliament chooses Oliver Cromwell to chair the new English Commonwealth's council of state Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions John Milton becomes Latin secretary in Cromwell's council of state Go to Milton, John (1608–74) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles Europe Cromwell captures the royalist stronghold of Drogheda and massacres some 2800 people Go to Drogheda in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British Isles Europe Ireland
1650	James Ussher, archbishop of Armagh, calculates that creation began on Sunday, October 23, 4004 BC Go to Ussher, James (1581–1656) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland The poems of Massachusetts author Anne Bradstreet are published in London under the title The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America Go to Bradstreet, Anne (c.1612–1672) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature American literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles British colonial America Europe North America United States
1651	Charles II returns to Scotland and is crowned king of Scots in the traditional manner at Scone Go to Charles II (1630–85) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War Scotland British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Parliament in England passes the first of several Navigation Acts designed to reserve international trade for English ships Go to Navigation Acts in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Commerce and industry British Isles British empire Europe Society Empires Charles II is defeated by Cromwell at Worcester and escapes in disguise to France Go to Charles II (1630–85) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War Battles British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1652	Scotland and England are merged under English parliamentary rule, in a forced union which lasts eight years Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Scotland British Isles Europe A clash at sea between English and Dutch fleets begins the first of three Anglo-Dutch wars Go to Anglo‐Dutch Wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Netherlands The first coffee house opens In London and Londoners soon find such places useful to meet in and do business Go to coffee houses in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
1653	Cromwell uses troops to turn the members out of the House of Commons and locks the door behind them Go to Rump Parliament in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles Europe Cromwell is appointed Lord Protector of the Commonwealth for life, under legislation entitled the Instrument of Government Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions The English admiral Robert Blake introduces a system of signalling at sea by means of flags Go to Blake, Robert (1599–1657) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Communication War British Isles Europe John Bunyan joins a Nonconformist church in Bedford and becomes one of their preachers Go to Bunyan, John (1628–88) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Devoted fisherman Izaak Walton publishes the classic work on the subject, The Compleat Angler Go to Walton, Izaak (1593–1683) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe
c. 1655	George Fox begins preaching in England, in a movement which develops into the Society of Friends - or Quakers Go to quakers in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
c. 1656	Jews return to England after Cromwell repeals the law of 1290 forbidding their residence in the country Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Judaism Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
1657	Andrew Marvell works as assistant Latin secretary to Milton in Cromwell's department for foreign affairs Go to Marvell, Andrew (1621–78) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics British Isles Europe
1658	Samuel Pepys has a two-ounce stone cut from his bladder, in an operation carried out at home in the presence of his family Go to Pepys, Samuel (1633–1703) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Medicine British Isles Europe Parliamentary reprisals against the rebellious Irish result in two thirds of Ireland's land being owned by the English or the Scots Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization British Isles Europe Ireland Cromwell dies after naming his son Richard to succeed him in the office of Lord Protector Go to Cromwell, Richard (1626–1712) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Prince Rupert of the Rhine pioneers mezzotint, the first half-tone technique in printing Go to mezzotint in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Printing Prints Technology British Isles Europe
1659	The ineffective Richard Cromwell goes into voluntary retirement, an event linked to the strong possibility of a military coup Go to Cromwell, Richard (1626–1712) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1660	General George Monck marches south from Scotland to London, to intervene in England's unresolved political crisis Go to Monck, George, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608–70) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions On the first day of the new year Samuel Pepys gets up late, eats the remains of the turkey and begins his diary Go to Pepys, Samuel (1633–1703) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe Monck, reaching London, dissolves the Long Parliament and convenes a new one Go to Monck, George, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608–70) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Monck persuades Charles II to sign, at Breda in Holland, a declaration of policies to heal the wounds of the Civil War Go to Monck, George, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608–70) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions The new Convention Parliament in Westminster invites Charles II to return as king Go to Convention Parliaments in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles II lands at Dover and is given a warm welcome in London four days later Go to Charles II (1630–85) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions The Act of Indemnity, pardoning all offences since 1637 except those of the regicides, is given the royal assent Go to Indemnity and Oblivion, Act of (1660) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1661	John Bunyan is convicted of unlicensed preaching and spends the next eleven years in Bedford Gaol Go to Bunyan, John (1628–88) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity British Isles Europe The body of Oliver Cromwell is hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn Go to Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: English Civil War 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions The Cavalier Parliament begins to pass a series of acts, known as the Clarendon Code, containing punitive measures against Presbyterians Go to Clarendon code in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1662	British chemist Robert Boyle defines the inverse relationship between pressure and volume in any gas (subsequently known as Boyle's Law) Go to Boyle, Robert (1627–92) in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Chemistry British Isles Europe The Act of Uniformity demands that Anglican clergy accept all the Thirty-Nine Articles, costing many their livings Go to Uniformity, Act of (1662) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe An academy of English scientists is given a royal charter by Charles II and becomes the Royal Society Go to Royal Society in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science British Isles Europe
1664	The Conventicle Act restricts worship in England to Anglican churches if more than a few people are present Go to Clarendon code in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe
1665	The first recorded attempt at blood transfusion, at the Royal Society in London, proves that the idea is feasible Go to Royal Society in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Medicine British Isles Europe The Five Mile Act prevents Nonconformist ministers in England from coming closer than five miles to any town where they have ministered Go to Clarendon code in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles Europe The Great Plague of London causes as many as 7000 deaths in a week and perhaps a total of 100,000 by the end of the year Go to Great Plague (1664–65) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society Isaac Newton spends a creative period in Lincolnshire, at home in Woolsthorpe Manor, apples or no apples Go to Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Physics British Isles Europe
1666	The Great Fire of London rages for four days, destroying 13,200 houses and 81 churches Go to London, fire of (1666) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Social and domestic British Isles Europe Society
1667	Michiel de Ruyter sails up the Thames to destroy much of the English fleet at its base in the Medway Go to Ruyter, Michiel Adrianszoon de (1607–76) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 War British Isles Europe Netherlands Paradise Lost is published, earning its author John Milton just £10 Go to Paradise Lost in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe Wood-carver Grinling Gibbons arrives from Holland to begin an immensely successful career in England Go to Gibbons, Grinling (1648–1721) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Arts Sculpture British art British Isles Europe
c. 1669	The duke of York, heir to the English and Scottish thrones, is secretly received into the Roman Catholic church Go to James II (1633–1701) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Samuel Pepys ends his diary, after only writing it for nine years Go to Pepys, Samuel (1633–1703) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe
1672	Charles II issues a Declaration of Indulgence, suspending the restrictions on Catholics and Nonconformists Go to Declarations of Indulgence in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Isaac Newton's experiments with the prism demonstrate the link between wavelength and colour in light Go to Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Physics British Isles Europe
1673	Parliament in England passes a Test Act excluding Catholics and Nonconformists from public office Go to Test Act in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1678	The Popish Plot, an invented Jesuit conspiracy to kill Charles II, results in the execution of about thirty-five Roman Catholics Go to Popish Plot (1678) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Part I of The Pilgrim's Progress, written during John Bunyan's two spells in Bedford Gaol, is published and is immediately popular Go to Pilgrim's Progress in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe
1679	The rival political parties in Britain find abusive names for each other - Whigs and Tories Go to Tory in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Democracy and dissent British Isles Europe
c. 1680	The English clockmaker Thomas Tompion is the first to make successful use of the hairspring in pocket watches Go to Tompion, Thomas in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries British Isles Europe Ireland becomes the first European region in which the potato is an important food crop Go to Ireland in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Social and domestic British Isles Europe Ireland Society A comet intrigues Edmund Halley, who works out that it has been around before Go to Halley, Edmund (1656–1742) in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Astronomy and space British Isles Europe
1685	James II succeeds to the throne in Britain and immediately introduces pro-Catholic policies Go to James II (1633–1701) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Denis Papin, a French scientist working in England, demonstrates a pressure cooker fitted with a safety valve Go to Pressure Cookers in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries British Isles Europe
1686	English naturalist John Ray begins publication of his Historia Plantarum, classifying some 18,600 plants in 'mutual fertility' species Go to Ray, John (1607–1705) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Life sciences British Isles Europe
1687	Newton publishes Principia Mathematica, proving gravity to be a constant in all physical systems Go to Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Science Physics British Isles Europe
1688	A son (the future 'Old Pretender') is born to James II, giving Britain a Catholic heir to the throne Go to James II (1633–1701) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Aphra Behn's novel Oroonoko makes an early protest against the inhumanity of the African slave trade Go to Behn, Mrs Afra (1640–89) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Slavery British Isles Europe Society English grandees invite William III of Orange and his wife Mary, daughter of James II, to claim the British throne Go to William III (1650–1702) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Netherlands Rulers and politicians William III of Orange lands with an army at Torbay and marches to London with almost no opposition from supporters of James II Go to William III (1650–1702) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1689	Parliament in Westminster makes the restrictive Bill of Rights the condition on which William III and Mary II are crowned Go to Bill of Rights (1689) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians James II, landing in Ireland, is acclaimed as king in Dublin by enthusiastic Irish Catholics Go to James II (1633–1701) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland Young gentlewomen in Chelsea give the first performance of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas Go to Purcell, Henry (1659–95) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Music Opera British Isles Europe
1690	The armies of James II and William III confront each at the river Boyne, with victory going to William Go to Boyne, Battle of the (1 July 1690) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century War Battles British Isles Europe Ireland The Church of Scotland finally wins recognition as an independent Presbyterian body Go to Presbyterianism noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Scotland British Isles Europe John Locke publishes his Essay concerning Human Understanding, arguing that all knowledge is based on experience Go to Locke, John (1632–1704) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy British Isles Europe
1692	Government soldiers, mainly Campbells, massacre their MacDonald hosts in Glencoe Go to Glencoe massacre in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Persecution and repression Scotland British Isles Europe
1694	The Bank of England is founded and soon becomes the central banker for England's many private banks Go to Bank of England in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Commerce and industry British Isles Europe Society The joint monarch of England, Mary II, dies - leaving her husband, William III, to reign alone Go to William III (1650–1702) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1697	The Russian tsar, Peter I, studies western European technology, working as a ship's carpenter in Dutch and English shipyards Go to Peter I (1672–1725) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology British Isles Europe Netherlands Russia
1698	Thomas Savery creates the first practical steam engine, designed to pump water out of mines Go to Savery, Thomas (c. 1650–1715) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Britain 1500-1750 Steam Technology Engineering British Isles Europe
c. 1700	Holland and England are now producing the magnificent ocean-going merchant vessels known as East Indiamen Go to East Indiamen in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Travel and transport British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Belgium Netherlands Society Empires In the years after the battle of the Boyne, Catholic ownership of land in Ireland is reduced to just 14% of the total Go to Boyne, Battle of the (1 July 1690) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland
1701	The Act of Settlement declares that no Catholic may inherit the English crown Go to Settlement, Act of (1701) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1702	The Augustan Age begins in English literature, claiming comparison with the equivalent flowering under Augustus Caesar Go to Augustan age in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English British Isles Europe On the death of her brother-in-law, William III, Anne becomes queen of England and Scotland Go to Anne (1665–1714) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1707	The Act of Union merges England and Scotland as 'one kingdom by the name of Great Britain', a century after the union of the crowns Go to Union, Act of (Scotland) (1707) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1709	The Tatler launches a new style of journalism in Britain's coffee houses, followed two years later by the Spectator Go to Tatler in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Abraham Darby at Coalbrookdale discovers the use of coke in the smelting of pig iron Go to Darby, Abraham (14 Apr 1678) in The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1710	Thomas Newcomen creates a piston steam engine, with the steam condensed in the cylinder by a jet of cold water Go to Newcomen, Thomas (1663–1729) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Steam Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Christopher Wren's new domed St Paul's cathedral is completed in London Go to Wren, Christopher (1632–1723) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Machines are thrown out of the window of a Spitalfields factory, in an early protest against industrialization Go to Industrial Revolution in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society The Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian, ancestors of all thoroughbred racehorses, are imported into England Go to Byerley Turk in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society 25-year-old George Berkeley attacks Locke in his Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge Go to Berkeley, George (1685–1753) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1711	Handel's success in London with his opera Rinaldo prompts him to settle in Britain Go to Handel, George Frideric (1685–1759) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Music Opera Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1712	Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock introduces a delicate vein of mock-heroic in English poetry Go to Pope, Alexander (1688–1744) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Papacy Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1714	On the death of Queen Anne, the Act of Settlement delivers the British crown to the elector of Hanover, as George I Go to George I (1660–1727) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians The British government offers a massive £20,000 prize for a chronometer capable of keeping accurate time at sea Go to chronometer noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1715	A Jacobite uprising in Scotland on behalf of the Old Pretender ends in fiasco Go to Old Pretender, the in Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Colen Campbell creates interest in the Palladian style in Britain with the publication of his Vitruvius Britannicus Go to Palladianism in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1717	The earl of Burlington employs Colen Campbell to remodel his Piccadilly house in the Palladian style Go to Palladianism in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1719	Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, with its detailed realism, can be seen as the first English novel Go to Robinson Crusoe in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1720	Shares in the South Sea Company rise rapidly and collapse within the year, in the so-called South Sea Bubble Go to South Sea Bubble in A Dictionary of Finance and Banking (4 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society
1721	Robert Walpole becomes Britain's chief minister and holds the post for an unrivalled span of twenty-one years Go to Walpole, Sir Robert, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1724	General Wade, commander-in-chief of North Britain, begins an impressive programme of road construction in the Scottish Highlands Go to Wade, George (1673–1748) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe
1726	Jonathan Swift sends his hero on a series of bitterly satirical travels in Gulliver's Travels Go to Swift, Jonathan (1667–1745) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1727	On the death of his father, George I, George II becomes king of Great Britain Go to George II (1683–1760) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Handel composes Zadok the Priest for the crowning of George II, and it has been sung at every subsequent British coronation Go to Handel, George Frideric (1685–1759) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Music Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1730	John and Charles Wesley form a Holy Club at Oxford which becomes the cradle of Methodism Go to Holy Club in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Religion Christianity Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1731	The Flemish-born sculptor Michael Rysbrack creates a monument to Newton in Westminster Abbey Go to Rysbrack, Michael (24 June 1694) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Arts Sculpture British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe English maker of telescopes John Hadley designs the instrument which evolves into the standard sextant used at sea Go to sextant in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1732	With the performance of Esther Handel taps a rich new vein, the English oratorio Go to Handel, George Frideric (1685–1759) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Baroque Britain 1500-1750 Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1733	John Kay, working in the Lancashire woollen industry, patents the flying shuttle to speed up weaving Go to Kay, John (1704–c. 1780) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1739	Britain declares war on Spain, partly in a mood of indignation over Captain Jenkins' ear Go to Jenkins's Ear, War of in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Spain David Hume publishes his Treatise of Human Nature, in which he applies to the human mind the principles of experimental science Go to Hume, David (1711–76) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1740	Jack Broughton, champion of England, opens an academy to teach 'the mystery of boxing, that wholly British art' Go to broughtonian n. in Green's Dictionary of Slang (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society
1742	Edmond Hoyle publishes the definitive rules of whist Go to whist in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society
1744	France formally declares war on Britain half way through the War of the Austrian Succession Go to Austrian Succession, War of the (1740–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe France
1745	Charles Edward Stuart lands at Eriskay in the Hebrides, launching the Forty-Five Rebellion Go to Stuart, Charles Edward (1720–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion War Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Charles Edward Stuart gathers support for the Forty-Five Rebellion on his way south from the Hebrides and reaches Edinburgh Go to Stuart, Charles Edward (1720–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion War Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Charles Edward Stuart marches as far south as Derby, but then turns back Go to Stuart, Charles Edward (1720–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion War Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1746	Charles Edward Stuart and his 5000 Scots are routed at Culloden, bringing the Forty-Five Rebellion to an abrupt end Go to Stuart, Charles Edward (1720–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Protest and rebellion Battles Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Tartan and Highland dress are banned by the British government, in a prohibition not lifted until 1782 Go to tartan in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe
1747	Samuel Richardson's Clarissa begins the correspondence that grows into the longest novel in the English language Go to Clarissa: or The History of a Young Lady in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1749	Henry Fielding introduces a character of lasting appeal in the lusty but good-hearted Tom Jones Go to Tom Jones, The History of in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1750	Horace Walpole begins to create his own Strawberry Hill, a neo-Gothic fantasy, on the banks of the Thames west of London Go to Walpole, Horace, 4th earl of Orford (1717–97) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Gothic Europe
1751	English poet Thomas Gray publishes his Elegy written in a Country Church Yard Go to Gray, Thomas (1716–71) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe English gardener Lancelot Brown sets up in business as a freelance 'improver of grounds', and soon acquires the nickname Capability Brown Go to Brown, Lancelot (1715/16–83) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1752	Britain is one of the last nations to adjust to the more accurate Gregorian calendar, causing a suspicious public to fear they have been robbed of eleven days Go to Gregorian calendar in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society English obstetrician William Smellie introduces scientific midwifery as a result of his researches into childbirth Go to midwifery in Concise Medical Dictionary (8 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1754	Scottish chemist Joseph Black identifies the existence of a gas, carbon dioxide, which he calls 'fixed air' Go to Black, Joseph (1728–99) in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe
1755	Samuel Johnson publishes his magisterial Dictionary of the English Language Go to Johnson, Samuel (1709–84) in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1757	Admiral John Byng is shot on the deck of a ship in Portsmouth harbour for 'neglect of duty' in failing to relieve Minorca Go to Byng, John (1704–57) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Robert Adam returns to Britain after two years in Rome with a repertoire of classical themes which he mingles to form a new British neoclassicism Go to Adam, Robert (1728–92) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Rome Europe William Pitt the Elder becomes secretary of state and transforms the British war effort against France in America Go to Pitt, William, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–78) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire Europe Empires English painter Joseph Wright sets up a studio in his home town, Derby Go to Wright, Joseph (3 Sept. 1734) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1758	Joshua Reynolds is by now the most fashionable portrait painter in London, copies with as many as 150 sitters in a year Go to Reynolds, Sir Joshua (1723–92) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe A comet returns exactly at the time predicted by English astronomer Edmond Halley, and is subsequently known by his name Go to Halley, Edmund (1656–1742) in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Astronomy and space Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe James Woodforde, an English country parson with a love of food and wine, begins a detailed diary of everyday life Go to Woodforde, Revd James (1740–1803) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Liverpool-born artist George Stubbs sets up in London as a painter, above all, of people and horses Go to Stubbs, George (1724–1806) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1759	Portrait-painter Thomas Gainsborough moves from Suffolk to set up a studio in fashionable Bath Go to Gainsborough, Thomas (1727–88) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Staffordshire potter Josiah Wedgwood sets up a factory of his own in his home town of Burslem Go to Wedgwood, Josiah (1730–95) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Decorative arts British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Laurence Sterne publishes the first two volumes of Tristram Shandy, beginning with the scene at the hero's conception Go to Sterne, Laurence (1713–68) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe A British defeat of the French in Quiberon Bay prompts David Garrick to write Heart of Oak Go to ‘Heart of Oak’ in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 War Battles Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe A succession of victories cause 1759 to be known in Britain as annus mirabilis, the wonderful year Go to ‘Heart of Oak’ in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1760	German painter Johann Zoffany moves to England to find work as a painter of conversation pieces and portraits Go to Zoffany, Johann (13 Mar. 1733) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Germany On the death of his grandfather, George II, George III becomes king of Great Britain Go to George III (1738–1820) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1761	Scottish chemist and physicist Joseph Black observes the latent heat in melting ice Go to Black, Joseph (1728–99) in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Physics Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe John Harrison's fourth chronometer is only five seconds out at the end of a test journey from England to Jamaica Go to Harrison, John (1693–1776) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Latin America Caribbean
1762	Johann Sebastian Bach's youngest son, Johann Christian, moves to London and becomes known as the English Bach Go to Bach, Johann Christian (1735–82) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Germany Fingal, supposedly by the medieval poet Ossian, is a forgery in the spirit of the times by James MacPherson Go to Macpherson, James (1736–96) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1763	A treaty signed in Paris ends the Seven Years' War between Britain, France and Spain Go to Paris, Treaty of (1763) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe France Spain Empires English journalist John Wilkes is arrested for publishing seditious libel in issue no 45 of his weekly magazine The North Briton Go to Wilkes, John (1725–97) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe James Boswell meets Samuel Johnson for the first time, in the London bookshop of Thomas Davies Go to Boswell, James (1740–95) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe American artist Benjamin West settles in London, where he becomes famous for his large-scale history scenes Go to West, Benjamin (1738–1820) in The Oxford Companion to Western Art (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1764	James Watt ponders on the inefficiency of contemporary steam engines and invents the condenser Go to Watt, James (1736–1819) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Steam Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe Britain passes the Sugar Act, levying duty on sugar, wine and textiles imported into America Go to Sugar Acts in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Lancashire spinner James Hargreaves conceives the idea of the spinning jenny, with multiple spindles worked from a single wheel Go to Hargreaves, James (1722–1778) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe English historian Edward Gibbon, sitting among ruins in Rome, conceives the idea of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Go to Gibbon, Edward (1737–94) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe English author Horace Walpole provides an early taste of Gothic thrills in his novel Castle of Otranto Go to Walpole, Horace, 4th earl of Orford (1717–97) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Gothic Europe
1765	Britain passes the Stamp Act, taxing legal documents and newspapers in the American colonies Go to Stamp Act (1765) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1766	Britain repeals the Stamp Act, in a major reversal of policy achieved by resistance in the American colonies Go to Stamp Act (1765) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States English chemist Henry Cavendish isolates hydrogen but believes that it is phlogiston Go to Cavendish, Henry (1731–1810) in A Dictionary of Chemistry (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Irish novelist Oliver Goldsmith publishes The Vicar of Wakefield, with a hero who has much to complain about but keeps calm Go to Goldsmith, Oliver (1728–74) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature Fiction British Isles Europe Ireland
1767	Work begins on Edinburgh's New Town, to the design of the 23-year-old architect James Craig Go to Craig, James (1744–95) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe The British Chancellor, Charles Townshend, passes a series of acts taxing all glass, lead, paint, paper and tea imported into the American colonies Go to Townshend Acts (1767) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1768	Captain James Cook sails from Plymouth, in England, heading for Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus Go to Cook, James (1728–79) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Exploration Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Australia and Oceania Pacific Islands Europe Society Empires A Society of Gentlemen in Scotland begins publication of the immensely successful Encyclopaedia Britannica Go to Encyclopaedia Britannica in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe The Royal Academy is established in London, with Joshua Reynolds as its first president Go to Royal Academy of Arts in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
c. 1770	The triangular trade, controlled from Liverpool, ships millions of Africans across the Atlantic as slaves Go to slave trade, African in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Migration Slavery Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires Latin America North America 17-year-old Thomas Chatterton, later hailed as a significant poet, commits suicide in a London garret Go to Chatterton, Thomas (1752–70) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe In response to American protests, the British government removes the Townshend duties on all commodities with the exception of tea Go to Townshend Acts (1767) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1771	English entrepreneur Richard Arkwright adds water power to spinning by means of the water frame Go to Arkwright, Sir Richard (1732–92) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Richard Arkwright pioneers the factory environment with his cotton mill at Cromford in Derbyshire Go to Arkwright, Sir Richard (1732–92) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society
1772	Captain Cook sets off, in HMS Resolution, on his second voyage to the southern hemisphere Go to Cook, James (1728–79) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Exploration Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Australia and Oceania Pacific Islands Europe Society Empires
1773	English prison reformer John Howard is shocked into action by the conditions he sees in Bedford gaol Go to Howard, John (1726–90) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe The London brokers who meet to do business in Jonathan's coffee house decide to call themselves the Stock Exchange Go to stock exchange in A Dictionary of Finance and Banking (4 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society Oliver Goldsmith's play She Stoops to Conquer is produced in London's Covent Garden theatre Go to Goldsmith, Oliver (1728–74) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Samuel Johnson and James Boswell undertake a journey together to the western islands of Scotland Go to Johnson, Samuel (1709–84) in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe
1774	Britain's new Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts include the requirement that Massachusetts citizens give board and lodging to British troops Go to Coercive Acts (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Encouraged by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine emigrates to America and settles in Philadelphia Go to Paine, Thomas (1737–1809) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature American literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe North America United States Illiterate visionary Ann Lee, leader of an English sect, the 'Shaking Quakers', crosses the Atlantic to spread the word Go to Shakers in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Religion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe North America United States English chemist Joseph Priestley isolates oxygen, but he believes it to be 'dephlogisticated air' Go to Priestley, Joseph in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Thomas Gainsborough moves from Bath to set up a studio in London Go to Gainsborough, Thomas (1727–88) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1775	John Singleton Copley, already established as America's greatest portrait painter, moves to London Go to Copley, John Singleton (1738?–1815) in The Oxford Companion to American Literature (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting American painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles American art British colonial America Europe North America United States Captain Cook publishes his discovery of a preventive cure against scurvy, in the form of a regular ration of lemon juice Go to Cook, James (1728–79) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1776	Two Boulton and Watt engines are installed, the first of many in the mines and mills of England's developing industrial revolution Go to Watt, James (1736–1819) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society English historian Edward Gibbon publishes the first volume of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Go to Gibbon, Edward (1737–94) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Scottish economist Adam Smith analyzes the nature and causes of the Wealth of Nations Go to Smith, Adam (1723–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe Society
1777	Richard Brinsley Sheridan's second play, The School for Scandal, is an immediate success in London's Drury Lane theatre Go to Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751–1816) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1778	France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe France Wars and Revolutions North America United States The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain Go to Jones, John Paul (1747–1792) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1779	Joseph Banks tells a committee of the House of Commons that the east coast of Australia is suitable for the transportation of convicted felons Go to Banks, Sir Joseph (1743–1820) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Australia and Oceania Europe Society Empires Australia The world's first iron bridge is assembled in a few months across the Severn at Coalbrookdale Go to Coalbrookdale in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Samuel Crompton perfects the mule, a machine for spinning that combines the merits of Hargreave's jenny and Arkwright's water frame Go to Crompton, Samuel (1753–1827) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, fights H.M.S. Serapis near England's Flamborough Head Go to Jones, John Paul (1747–1792) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1780	Six days of riot in London are triggered by Lord George Gordon leading a march to oppose any degree of Catholic emancipation Go to Gordon, Lord George (1751–93) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1781	William Herschel discovers Uranus, the first planet to be found by means of a telescope, and names it the Georgian star Go to Herschel, (Frederick) William (1738–1822) in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Astronomy and space Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1782	The English actress Sarah Siddons, already well known in the province, causes a sensation when she appears in London at Drury Lane Go to Siddons, Sarah (1755–1831) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Performing arts Theatre Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1783	In the Treaty of Paris, negotiated by Adams, Franklin and Jay, the British government recognizes US independence Go to Paris, Treaty of (1783) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1784	A 24-year-old, William Pitt the Younger, is appointed Britain's prime minister by George III Go to Pitt, William (1759–1806) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe English ironmaster Henry Cort patents a process for puddling iron which produces a pure and malleable metal Go to Cort, Henry (1740–1800) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe The first mail coach leaves Bristol for London, introducing a new era of faster transport Go to Bristol in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Social and domestic Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society
1785	James Hutton describes to the Royal Society of Edinburgh his studies of local rocks , launching the era of scientific geology Go to Hutton, James (1726–97) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe William Withering's Account of the Foxglove describes the use of digitalis for dropsy, and its possible application to heart disease Go to Withering, William (1741–99) in The Continuum Encyclopedia of British Philosophy (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1787	The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade is founded in London, with a strong Quaker influence Go to quakers in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Slavery Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society The First Fleet (eleven ships carrying about 750 convicts) leaves Portsmouth for Australia Go to First Fleet in The Oxford Companion to Australian History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Conquest and colonization Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Australia and Oceania Europe Empires Australia Scottish engineer James Watt devises the governor, the first example of industrial automation Go to Watt, James (1736–1819) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe
1789	England's champion pugilist, the Jewish prize-fighter Daniel Mendoza, publishes The Art of Boxing Go to pugilist noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society William Blake publishes Songs of Innocence, a volume of his poems with every page etched and illustrated by himself Go to Blake, William (1757–1827) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe In his Principles Jeremy Bentham defines 'utility' as that which enhances pleasure and reduces pain Go to Bentham, Jeremy (1748–1832) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Philosophy Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1790	Joseph Haydn sets off for England, where impresario Johann Peter Salomon presents his London symphonies Go to Haydn, Joseph (1732–1809) in The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Austria Anglo-Irish politician Edmund Burke publishes Reflections on the Revolution in France, a blistering attack on recent events across the Channel Go to Burke, Edmund (1729–97) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Literature French literature English literature Literature in English Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Ireland Wars and Revolutions English painter J.M.W. Turner is only 15 when a painting of his, a watercolour, is first exhibited at the Royal Academy Go to Turner, Joseph Mallord William (1775–1851) in The Oxford Companion to Western Art (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1791	Scottish poet Robert Burns publishes Tam o' Shanter, in which a drunken farmer has an alarming encounter with witches Go to ‘Tam o' Shanter’ in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe The Ordnance Survey is founded in Britain, to make detailed maps of the country for military purposes Go to Ordnance Survey in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Naval officer George Vancouver sails from Britain on the voyage which will bring him to the northwest coast of America Go to Vancouver, George (1757–98) in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Exploration Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires North America Canada Wolfe Tone is one of the founders in Belfast of the Society of United Irishmen Go to United Irishmen, Society of in Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles Europe Ireland Thomas Paine publishes the first part of The Rights of Man, his reply to Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France Go to Rights of Man, The in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Literature French literature English literature Literature in English Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
c. 1792	Scottish painter Henry Raeburn depicts the Reverend Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe Charlotte Square in Edinburgh begins to be built to the design of Robert Adam Go to Adam, Robert (1728–92) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 Scotland British Isles Europe English author Mary Wollstonecraft publishes a passionately feminist work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Thomas Paine moves hurriedly to France, to escape a charge of treason in England for opinions expressed in his Rights of Man Go to Rights of Man, The in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Literature French literature English literature Literature in English Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe France Wars and Revolutions George III sends Lord Macartney on an embassy to the Chinese emperor Qianlong Go to Macartney's embassy in An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia China Europe Empires
1793	Britain joins other European nations in war against France, mainly in naval engagements in the West Indies and Atlantic Go to Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1794	The treaty agreed by US envoy John Jay restores some degree of friendship between the USA and Britain Go to Jay's Treaty in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe North America United States William Blake's volume Songs of Innocence and Experience includes his poem 'Tyger! Tyger! burning bright' See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1795	Thomas Paine publishes his completed Age of Reason, an attack on conventional Christianity Go to Age of Reason, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Religion Christianity Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe A secret Protestant group, the Orange Society, is formed in Co. Armagh to resist Irish nationalism Go to Orange order in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity British Isles Europe Ireland
1796	In Berkeley, Gloucestershire, Edward Jenner inoculates a boy with cowpox in the pioneering case of vaccination Go to Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Irish nationalist Wolfe Tone sails from France to invade Ireland with a force of 14,000 French soldiers Go to Tone, Wolfe (1763–98) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Politics Protest and rebellion War British Isles Europe Ireland Wars and Revolutions
1797	Samuel Taylor Coleridge says that while writing Kubla Khan he is interrupted by 'a person on business from Porlock' Go to ‘Kubla Khan: a Vision in a Dream’ in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1798	Irish nationalist Wolfe Tone, convicted of treason for his failed invasion, cuts his throat to cheat the British gallows Go to Tone, Wolfe (1763–98) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Politics Protest and rebellion War British Isles Europe Ireland Wars and Revolutions English poets Wordsworth and Coleridge jointly publish Lyrical Ballads, a milestone in the Romantic movement Go to Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' is published in Lyrical Ballads Go to Ancient Mariner, The Rime of the in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1799	English surveyor William Smith compiles a manuscript, Order of the Strata, revealing chronology through fossils in rocks Go to Smith, William in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe British prime minister William Pitt introduces income tax at 10% to pay for the war against France Go to income tax in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Society The British parliament passes a Combination Act, classing any association of labourers as a criminal conspiracy Go to Combination Acts in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe
1800	Welsh industrialist Robert Owen takes charge of a mill at New Lanark and develops it as an experiment in paternalistic socialism Go to Owen, Robert in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Communism Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 Wales British Isles Europe Society
1801	The Act of Union comes into effect, linking Ireland with Britain to form the United Kingdom Go to Union, Acts of in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Ireland Rulers and politicians British prime minister William Pitt resigns when George III vetoes Catholic emancipation, but is recalled three years later Go to Catholic Emancipation, Act of (1829) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Both France and Britain, engaged against each other in the Napoleonic Wars, take the first census of their populations Go to Census Act (1800) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Society The first census of the United Kingdom reveals that the population numbers approximately 9 million Go to Census Act (1800) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society
1802	The British parliament passes the first Factory Act, limiting a child's working day in a factory to twelve hours Go to Factory Acts in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society A steam tug designed by William Symington, the Charlotte Dundas, goes into service on the Forth and Clyde canal Go to Charlotte Dundas in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Steam Canals Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe Society The treaty agreed at Amiens between France and Britain brings a welcome lull after ten years of warfare in Europe Go to Amiens, treaty of (1802) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Wars and Revolutions English journalist William Cobbett launches a weekly newspaper, The Political Register, that he continues till his death in 1835 Go to Political Register in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1803	Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick drives a steam carriage in London, from Holborn to Paddington and back Go to Trevithick, Richard (1771–1833) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Steam Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society The peace of Amiens comes to an abrupt end when Britain declares war again on France Go to Amiens, treaty of (1802) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Wars and Revolutions The uprising by Irish nationalist Robert Emmet ends in disaster when he marches on Dublin with only about 100 men Go to Emmet, Robert (1778–1803) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion British Isles Europe Ireland English chemist John Dalton reads a paper describing his Law of Partial Pressure in gases (discovered in 1801) Go to Dalton, John (1766–1844) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Physics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe At the end of his Partial Pressure paper, John Dalton makes brief mention of his radical theory of differing atomic weights Go to Dalton, John (1766–1844) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1804	Richard Trevithick runs the first locomotive on rails, pulling heavy weights a distance of 9 miles (15 km) near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales Go to Trevithick, Richard (1771–1833) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Wales British Isles Europe Society William Blake includes his poem 'Jerusalem' in the Preface to his book Milton Go to Milton in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Jerusalem Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1805	The first barge is pulled by a horse along Thomas Telford's cast-iron aqueduct, high in the air at Pont Cysyllte Go to aqueduct in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Canals Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society With advice from Thomas Daniell, Samuel Pepys Cockerell builds himself a house, Sezincote, with a roof line of fanciful Indian domes Go to Cockerell, Samuel Pepys (1753–1827) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Lord Castlereagh becomes secretary of state for war in William Pitt's government Go to Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 2nd marquess of Londonderry (1769–1822) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Walter Scott publishes The Lay of the Last Minstrel, the long romantic poem that first brings him fame Go to Lay of the Last Minstrel, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1806	Napoleon imposes his Continental System, designed to strangle Britain's trade Go to Continental System in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Society Wars and Revolutions
1807	To counteract Napoleon's Continental System, Britain passes orders in council penalizing any vessel trading into French-held ports Go to Continental System in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Society Wars and Revolutions English chemist Humphry Davy uses electrolysis to isolate the elements sodium and potassium Go to Davy, Sir Humphry in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Chemistry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe A Scottish clergyman, Alexander Forsyth, invents the percussion cap to help in his pursuit of wildfowl Go to percussion cap noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Weapons Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe Legislation abolishing the slave trade is passed in both Britain and America Go to slave trade, abolition of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Slavery Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society North America United States Anglo-US tensions are heightened by a clash between the frigates Leopard and Chesapeake off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia Go to Chesapeake affair in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe North America United States George Canning is appointed British foreign secretary in the new administration of the Duke of Portland Go to Canning, George in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe English collector Thomas Hope publishes his Greek and Egyptian designs in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration Go to Hope, Thomas (1769–1831) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Decorative arts British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1808	The French capture of Madrid provokes a British response and the resulting Peninsular War Go to Peninsular War (1808–14) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Europe Spain Wars and Revolutions
1809	Rival British politicians Lord Castlereagh and George Canning fight a duel in which Canning is wounded Go to Canning, George (1770–1827) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1810	Walter Scott's poem Lady of the Lake brings tourists in unprecedented numbers to Scotland's Loch Katrine Go to Lady of the Lake, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe
1811	The British king George III, suffering from porphyria, is deemed unfit to govern and his eldest son becomes Prince Regent Go to George III (1738–1820) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians A 12-year-old Dorset child, Mary Anning, discovers at Lyme Regis a 21ft (6.4m) fossil of an ichthyosaur Go to Anning, Mary (1799–1847) in A Dictionary of Earth Sciences (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Science Life sciences Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Percy Bysshe Shelley is expelled from Oxford university for circulating a pamphlet with the title The Necessity of Atheism Go to Shelley, Percy Bysshe (1792–1822) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe English author Jane Austen publishes her first work in print, Sense and Sensibility, at her own expense Go to Austen, Jane in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Masked Luddites smash machinery in night raids on factories in Nottingham Go to Luddites in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1812	Lord Castlereagh becomes British foreign secretary in Spencer Perceval's government Go to Castlereagh, Viscount in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain's first primary school is established by Robert Owen at New Lanark in Scotland Go to Owen, Robert (1771–1858) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe The British prime minister, Spencer Perceval, is assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham Go to Perceval, Spencer (1762–1812) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Terrorism and assassination Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe After the death of Perceval, Lord Liverpool begins a 15-year spell as Britain's prime minister Go to Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of (1770–1828) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Damage to US trade by British orders in council prompts war (the War of 1812) between the two nations Go to War of 1812 in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Commerce and industry War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles US presidents Europe Society Rulers and politicians North America United States The US frigate Constitution, affectionately known as 'Old Ironsides', wins successes against British warships in the Atlantic Go to Old Ironsides in New Oxford American Dictionary (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe North America United States The first two cantos are published of Byron's largely autobiographical poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, bringing him immediate fame Go to Byron, George Gordon, 6th Baron Byron (1788–1824) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
c. 1813	William Hedley's Puffing Billy, the first steam locomotive running on smooth rails, goes to work at Wylam colliery Go to railways in The Oxford Dictionary of Local and Family History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Steam Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Quaker philanthropist Elizabeth Fry, appalled by the condition of female prisoners in London's Newgate gaol, begins campaigning on their behalf Go to Fry, Elizabeth (1780–1845) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Pride and Prejudice, based on a youthful work of 1797 called First Impressions, is the second of Jane Austen's novels to be published Go to Austen, Jane in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1814	A cold February freezes the Thames and makes possible the last of London's famous frost fairs Go to frost fairs in Brewer's Dictionary of London Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society English engineer George Stephenson builds his first locomotive, the Blucher, and runs it at the Killingworth colliery Go to Stephenson, George (1781–1848) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Robert Peel, chief secretary for Ireland, introduces a police force soon known as the 'Peelers' Go to peeler in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Ireland The Times, England's oldest daily newspaper, becomes the first to print on a steam press Go to Times, The in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Steam Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain and the United States sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 Go to Ghent, treaty of (1815) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles US presidents Europe Rulers and politicians North America United States
1815	English chemist Humphry Davy invents a safety lamp that shields the naked flame and prevents explosions in mines Go to Davy, Sir Humphry (1778–1829) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Scottish engineer John McAdam builds the first macadamized road, in the Bristol region of southwest England Go to McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Social and domestic Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe Society The first news of the victory at Waterloo is given to the British government by a private citizen, Nathan Mayer Rothschild Go to Rothschild in Brewer's Dictionary of London Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon, held on a British warship off Torquay and hoping now to live in Britain, becomes an instant tourist attraction Go to Bellerophon, HMS in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe France Society Wellington is presented with a twice-life-size nude marble statue, by Canova, of his vanquished enemy Napoleon Go to Canova, Antonio (1757–1822) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Arts Sculpture British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe English architect John Nash designs the exotic Royal Pavilion in Brighton for the Prince Regent Go to Nash, John (1752–1835) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1817	On the death of Princess Charlotte, not one of seven princes has an heir to succeed to the British throne in the next generation Go to Charlotte Augusta, Princess (1796–1817) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1818	Percy Bysshe Shelley publishes probably his best-known poem, the sonnet Ozymandias Go to Shelley, Percy Bysshe (1792–1822) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Two of Jane Austen's novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, are published in the year after her death Go to Austen, Jane (1775–1817) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, a Gothic tale about giving life to an artificial man Go to Shelley, Mary in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1819	William Cobbett brings back to England the bones of Thomas Paine, who died in the USA in 1809 Go to Cobbett, William (1763–1835) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Magistrates order troops to fire on a crowd in Manchester, in what becomes known as the Peterloo massacre Go to Peterloo massacre (16 August 1819) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Persecution and repression Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Byron begins publication in parts of his longest poem, Don Juan an epic satirical comment on contemporary life Go to Don Juan in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe The United Kingdom formally adopts the gold standard for its currency, after using it on a de facto basis since 1717 Go to gold standard in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Walter Scott publishes Ivanhoe, a tale of love, tournaments and sieges at the time of the crusades Go to Ivanhoe in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe
1820	The British king George III dies after 59 years on the throne – a longer reign than any of his predecessors Go to George III (1738–1820) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians On the death of his father, George III, the Prince Regent succeeds to the British throne as George IV Go to George IV (1762–1830) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians English poet John Keats publishes Ode to a Nightingale, inspired by the bird's song in his Hampstead garden Go to Keats, John (1795–1821) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley publishes Ode to the West Wind, written mainly in a wood near Florence Go to ‘Ode to the West Wind’ in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Florence Europe French painter Théodore Géricault begins a two-year visit to Britain Go to Géricault, Théodore in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting French painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles French art Europe France English painter John Constable acquires a house in Hampstead, a region of London that features frequently in his work Go to Constable, John (1776–1837) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1821	English author Thomas De Quincey publishes his autobiographical Confessions of an English Opium-Eater Go to De Quincey, Thomas in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe English poet John Keats dies in Rome at the age of twenty-five Go to Keats, John (1795–1821) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Italian literature Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Rome Europe Italy English radical William Cobbett begins his journeys round England, published in 1830 as Rural Rides Go to Cobbett, William (1763–1835) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society English author William Hazlitt publishes Table Talk, a two-volume collection that includes most of his best-known essays Go to Hazlitt, William in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe During his coronation George IV has the doors of Westminster Abbey closed against his queen, Caroline Go to Caroline of Brunswick (1768–1821) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians
1822	George Canning becomes the British foreign secretary for the second time, in Lord Liverpool's government Go to Canning, George in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe George IV wears a tartan kilt when visiting Edinburgh, and launches a new craze for Highland dress Go to Highland dress noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe Society Walter Scott begins to transform Abbotsford into a romantic house that he refers to as his 'conundrum castle' Go to Scott, Sir Walter in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe
1823	Daniel O'Connell organizes Catholic Associations throughout Ireland, funded by the members' penny subscriptions Go to Catholic Association (1823–9) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Religion Christianity Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Ireland A Rugby schoolboy, William Webb Ellis, picks up the football and runs with it in rugby union's founding myth Go to rugby football in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society
1824	The Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800, outlawing trade unions in Britain, are repealed Go to Combination Acts in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society 12-year-old Charles Dickens works in London in Warren's boot-blacking factory Go to Dickens, Charles John Huffam (1812–70) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe
1825	The Joint-Stock Companies Act introduces regulations to protect investors in Britain Go to joint-stock company in A Dictionary of Finance and Banking (4 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Active (later called Locomotion) is the engine on the first passenger railway, between Stockton and Darlington Go to Stephenson, George in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry Social and domestic Travel and transport

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