Part 18

Explore the rich history of England and the United Kingdom in Civilization V, from the Anglo-Saxon invasions to the rise of the British Empire.

This section details the historical progression of England and its eventual transformation into the United Kingdom, covering key events and periods relevant to Civilization V gameplay.

The history begins with the Saxon invasions of Britain in the 5th century AD, following the departure of the Romans. The Saxons eventually conquered the lowlands, establishing their power for about fifty years until driven out by the British cavalry. A subsequent wave of Anglo-Saxon invaders in the mid-6th century nearly annihilated the original inhabitants, pushing them west. This period saw the conversion to Christianity and a rise in scholarship, with the inhabitants of south-east Great Britain beginning to identify as "English."

By the 9th century, England, along with Scotland and Ireland, faced continuous assaults from Vikings. The Vikings captured numerous cities and towns, controlling nearly half of Great Britain by the mid-9th century. Alfred the Great of Wessex halted their advance into Southern England in 877 AD, and his successors spent the next 50 years reclaiming Danish conquests. Alfred's grandson, Athelstan, became the first ruler of all England in 927 AD.

Despite this, Danish raids resumed in 980 AD. After 20 years of conflict, the English surrendered in 1013 AD, accepting Sweyn of Denmark as their king. Sweyn was succeeded by Canute, who ruled until 1035 AD. A period of relative peace between Danes and English lasted for 30 years until 1066 AD, when England faced another invasion.

On September 27, 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England with 6,000 knights and foot soldiers. After defeating the English army and killing King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, William marched on London. By December 1066, most English nobility had sworn allegiance to William, who was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas. Norman rule severed historical ties with Scandinavia, bringing England into closer contact with Europe.

The subsequent 400 years saw numerous power struggles, revolts, civil wars, and wars in Europe and Scotland. This era also included several Crusades, plagues, famines, and the reigns of multiple kings named Richard and Henry. The narrative then rapidly advances to the 16th century and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of King Henry VIII, ascended the throne during a time of significant social and religious upheaval. Inheriting a bankrupt country, on the brink of civil war, and threatened by Spain, Elizabeth united the nation, repelled Spanish invasions, and initiated a golden age of arts and literature. She also oversaw a major expansion of the English navy, which would achieve global dominance.

Elizabeth I died childless, and the English throne passed to James, the Stuart King of Scotland, who became James I of England. His successor, Charles I, was overthrown during the English Civil War (1641-1645). The monarchy was restored in 1660, but with significantly reduced power, serving "at the will of Parliament."

In 1707, the "Acts of Union" merged the kingdoms of Scotland with England and Wales, creating the United Kingdom. While England remained the dominant entity, the political entity of England ceased to exist. This union was not without its dissenters among the Welsh and Scots.

In 1800, the United Kingdom attempted to unite with Ireland, forming the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland." This union faced strong opposition from the largely Roman Catholic Irish, leading to over a century of insurgency. In 1922, the southern part of Ireland gained independence, and the UK was renamed "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

During Queen Elizabeth's reign, the first British colony was established in the New World, supported by a powerful British navy that protected growing interests globally. British colonial interests initially focused on the Caribbean and North America, later expanding into Asia and the South Pacific. The English East India Company eventually came to rule India.

In the late 18th century, Britain lost control of much of North America to the Thirteen Colonies (later the United States of America) after a prolonged revolution. Despite this significant blow to British prestige, the Empire continued to expand, becoming the largest in history by the early 20th century, encompassing a quarter of the Earth's landmass and population.