The Time Team What Happened When by Tim Taylor
ISBN 1-905-02609-9

Channel 4 books 2006

So, you think you know about British History? We all know that the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066, that Britain declared war on Nazi Germany in 1939 and that London’s ‘one big burning blaze’ tore through the capital in 1666, but many of us remember important dates and events only if there is a handy rhyme or a charming folk story to accompany them. As a result Henry VIII is remembered for his wives rather than the Reformation, and Charles I, who was publicly execute during the Civil War, is famous for climbing a tree! If we set aside the lessons we learnt parrot fashion at school, do we really know what happened when-and why is it so important?

Which came first – the Bronze Age or the Stone Age? Why did the Romans play such a significant role in our past? And how did such a small nation become one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen? Here, in this impeccably researched and highly personal book, Tim Taylor and the expert archaeologists and historians behind Channel 4’s hit series Time Team set out to answer these questions and more by cataloguing British history in a way that is accessible for all.

From the first traces of Hominid bones to the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, a hundred events over the last 650,000 years of human history are discussed. Along the way, the team also consider the key objects/artefacts, technological advances, battles and leaders that starred in each era and shaped society as we know it today.

Whether you want a quick foray into the past or a definitive guide to British history, this book will give you and your family a clear, concise and thorough understanding of exactly what happened when and why.