The story of England [antikvár]

AUTHOR'S NOTE In the introduction to his short history of England published in 1947, Professor E. L.Woodward remarked that an attempt to cover so much ground in so limited a space was like trying to pack the crown jewels into a hat-box: 'you can do it only by leaving out the settings.' In this even shorter account of the most influential people who have lived in England during the many centuries outlined in its pages, and of the most important events which have happened during them, I have endeavoured to include as many of the settings as I could so that the book might be lively as well as informative, even at the cost of omitting certain themes for which room might otherwise have been found. It is intended as a generously illustrated introduction to the history of England for all those readers who have largely forgotten what they were taught at school, or whose history lessons touched upon only parts of the long periods covered here, as well as those looking for a readable book which will help to put the places they visit in their travels about the country into their historical context. For readers in need of quick reference to facts, names and places, the index has been made as detailed as possible and includes the dates of birth and death of all the principal people mentioned in the text. For further reference the chronological charts folded in at the back of the book show what was happening in the world at large as the history of England unfolded. Specially drawn maps, showing all the places mentioned in the text, castles, cathedrals, country houses and battle sites, will also be found at the back of the book together with the genealogies of English monarchs and a list of Prime Ministers. Readers whose interest in England's history is stirred by this brief narrative are referred to the bibliographical note on page 218. Christopher Hibbert