The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the history of the British Isles:
History of the British Isles – history of the European island group known as the British Isles.
Political entities Throughout history, various political entities have inhabited the British Isles, with varying degrees of power and independence over one another.
Existing political entities History of Ireland History of the United Kingdom - The United Kingdom is a union of different nations: History of England History of Northern Ireland History of Scotland History of Wales
The British Isles also includes three Crown dependencies of the United Kingdom. History of Guernsey History of Jersey History of the Isle of Man
Former political entities The following political entities all at one time existed within the British Isles.
Anglo-Saxon kingdoms Anglo-Saxons inhabited England from the 5th Century, and formed their own kingdoms. Kingdom of East Anglia Kingdom of Essex Kingdom of Kent Kingdom of Mercia Kingdom of Northumbria Kingdom of Sussex Kingdom of Wessex
Irish kingdoms List of Irish kingdoms Prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland many Irish Kingdoms existed. Some of the larger ones were: Kingdom of Connacht Kingdom of Leinster Kingdom of Meath Kingdom of Munster Kingdom of Ulster
Kingdoms in Scotland The following kingdoms all existed in what is now recognised as Scotland: Kingdom of Alba Bernicia Dál Riata Fortriu Kingdom of Strathclyde Kingdom of the Isles
Welsh kingdoms During the medieval era several kingdoms existed in Wales. Brycheiniog Kingdom of Ceredigion Dogfeiling Dunoding Kingdom of Dyfed Glywysing Kingdom of Gwent Kingdom of Gwynedd Meirionnydd Pengwern Kingdom of Powys Rhos (North Wales)
Modern period During the modern period the following entities have all existed, but no longer do so. Kingdom of England Kingdom of Ireland Kingdom of Scotland Confederate Ireland Commonwealth of England United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Time periods
Prehistoric Prehistoric Britain Prehistoric Ireland Neolithic British Isles
Classical period The history of the British Isles in the classical era was characterised by the attempts of the Roman Empire to conquer the islands. Roman Britain Scotland during the Roman Empire Wales in the Roman era
Medieval period England in the Middle Ages History of Ireland (800–1169) History of Ireland (1169–1536) Scotland in the Middle Ages Wales in the Middle Ages
Early modern period Early modern Britain History of Ireland (1536–1691) History of Ireland (1691–1800)
19th Century United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland - State as it existed from 1801 to 1922. Georgian era Regency era Victorian era
20th Century to present History of the Republic of Ireland History of the United Kingdom
Major events Throughout history, there have been several events that had a lasting impact on the British Isles as a whole.
Conflicts Conflicts within the British Isles
Historically, there have been many conflicts between the people inhabiting the British Isles which led to a lasting impact on the history of the islands. Wars of Scottish Independence - A series of conflicts between Scotland and England from 1296 to 1357. Wars of the Three Kingdoms - A series of interconnected conflicts within the British Isles from 1639 to 1653. Jacobite risings - A series of conflicts over the succession of the British throne from 1689 to 1745. Irish War of Independence - A conflict fought between the Irish Republican Army and British forces over the independence of Ireland.
Invasions from outside the British Isles
There have been several invasions of the British Isles by outside entities, some of which had a lasting impact on the history of the islands. Roman conquest of Britain - Roman invasion of Britain starting in 43 AD and largely completed by 87 AD. Norman conquest of England - 1066. German occupation of the Channel Islands - Occupation of Jersey and Guernsey by German forces from 1940 to 1945.
Political events The following events had a lasting impact on the political shape of the British Isles. Union of the Crowns - Led to the union of England and Scotland in 1603. Acts of Union 1707 - Formed the Parliament of Great Britain by merging the Parliament of Scotland with the Parliament of England. Acts of Union 1800 - Formed the Parliament of the United Kingdom by merging the Parliament of Ireland into the Parliament of Great Britain. Anglo-Irish Treaty - Formally created the Irish Free State as an independent dominion of the British Empire.
Persons influential in the history of the British Isles National leaders Monarchs List of English monarchs - List of English monarchs before the Acts of Union 1707. List of Scottish monarchs - List of Scottish monarchs before the Acts of Union 1707. List of British monarchs - List of British monarchs following the Acts of Union 1707.
Elected leaders List of presidents of Ireland List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom
Timeline The following is a timeline showing the major nations within the British Isles, or which controlled parts of the islands, over time.
Miscellaneous Early music of the British Isles Genetic history of the British Isles
See also Outline of the Republic of Ireland Outline of the United Kingdom
External links
British History British History at Spartacus Educational British History at the BBC Eyewitness accounts at mytimemachine.co.uk