British History: British Historical Periods

For lovers of British history, no longer is it necessary to travel to remote locations or heft dusty medieval tomes to find information about the philosophy, literature, religion, and science of early English eras. The Web is home to a number of comprehensive sites devoted to British history, many of which contain full texts of those medieval tomes translated into modern English. Visitors can download literary texts, original English laws and legal codes, or narrative histories for each of Britain’s historical periods.

Some sites are dedicated to a particular time period, such as the Victorian era, and provide social and political contexts for historical facts about the era, along with discussions of the economics, arts, science, and technology of that time. Others are divided into categories that cover all of British history, from prehistory to the 20th century. Many sites are structured as general history lessons, explaining why events happened and revealing their impact on the Britain of today, rather than simply listing dry facts and narratives.

Interesting focused sites provide information about famous British landmarks, such as the Canterbury Cathedral and the historical figures associated with it, or the Tower of London and the ghosts that supposedly reside within. There are not only scholarly sites providing histories of Anglo-Saxon England, the Vikings, the Celts, and the Normans, there are also amusing histories of brewing in the early medieval centuries, including recipes for typical ales. Information about Welsh and Scottish history is also available in great supply. The many web sites devoted to British History provide history enthusiasts with a rare glimpse into the past.