BRITANNIA 

BRITANNIA

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Fascinating (and massive) 52-part account of history covering the years 1 through 1154 AD from the point of view of the Anglo-Saxons. This is the COMPLETE TEXT.
The Anglo Saxon Chronicle
"Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a complex set of interrelated manuscripts, of which the earliest is known as the Parker Chronicle. There are seven major manuscripts comprising what is generally termed The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."
Brief History of Anglo Saxon England
After the Roman Empire crumbled, before the Norman Conquest, Anglo Saxon culture flourished in England. Depth of Anglo Saxon influence on subsequent English culture.
Battle of Hastings:   An  Account of the Battle That Altered World History
"To gain a clear understanding of why the Battle of Hastings occurred, you should be aware of the political and cultural histories of England and Normandy before the battle, the intertwined relationships of England and Normandy, the relationship of the English royalty to the Norman dukes, and, lastly, the principal personalities: Harold Godwinson, Duke William, and Edward the Confessor. Armed with this knowledge, it will be very apparent why the battle occurred and why it was inevitable in the context of history, as history developed."  Full-service site.
Battle of Hastings 1066
Extensive and detailed by a resident of Hastings. Background of Britain including Roman invasion, Saxon invasion, Christianity, Viking invasion, and kings of Britain. Geneology of Duke William and King Harold II. Causes of battle, contestants' prepartion and armies, maps and photographs of battle location, description of battle, and results. Norman rule. Bayeux Tapestry (description from the 11th century). Timeline, Glossary, and Bibliography.  "Story of the Battle of Hastings that was fought on the 14th October 1066. An event so significant, it totally changed the course of English history. To speak about this battle without recourse to the events that led up to it would be an injustice to the people of this island who have fought and died for her. What makes this event so important to the English is the fact that it was the last time any foreign power was to conquer her. Without doubt, a lesson was learnt that became etched into this island race for ever."
Britannia
Quintessential British site. Messy and hard to use but a catalog of great Web links. Articles, essays on castles, kings, popes, Wales, abbots, archibishops, British monarchs, cathedrals, King Arthur, documents.
Britannia's Narrative History of Britain
The Anglo-Saxon Period, The Arthurian Period , Medieval Britain , From Reformation to Restoration and - The Age of Empire - First Rate Terse Historical Summarys.
Britannica Sources of British History
Repository of links to an incredible array of English historical source documents. St. Patrick's actual Confession, in his own hand; actual Magna Carta; laws of William the Conquerer. Eyewitness accounts of battles, rebellions, heroes and villains. Compelling reading. Humanizes history. "Britannia brings you the rich documentary history of England and Wales, so that you can begin to appreciate the foundation on which the present nation stands...Significant charters, histories, chronicles, accounts, laws and summonses."
Henry Tudor--Shape Shifter?
Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field. Since then, many Ricardians have expressed a wish to rearrange his face. Now, here's your chance. If your browser supports Java, click and drag on Henry's face to reveal his true character.
Magna Carta
With the Magna Carta, King John placed himself and England's future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law. Read about this "charter of ancient liberties guaranteed by a king to his subjects." Translation of the 1297 version of Magna Carta.
Secrets of the Norman Invasion
Enormous informative source. The author writes: "The following work arose out of my insatiable desire to know exactly where the Normans landed prior to the Battle of Hastings." Surveys, photographs, field walking, archaeological work.
The Shakespeare Mystery
"Shakespeare's works were full of references and allusions indicating a highly-educated man, probably of noble birth. In contrast, there was little evidence Shakespeare of Stratford had the education or life experience that would allow him to develop the literary qualities required to compose the plays." Debates on the "Shakespeare Authorship question." Audio excerpts, debate transcripts, list of "doubt theories" since 1728. Links to Oxford/MIT Shakespeare project. Complete works on the Internet library. Extensive "Authorship Question" reading list.
Sub-Roman Britain: An Introduction
ORB Online Essay by Christopher Snyder. Britannia in the fifth and six centuries.
William the Conqueror
"Reigned 1066-1087. Duke of Normandy 1035-1087. Invaded England defeated and killed his rival Harold at the Battle of Hastings and became King. The Norman conquest of England was completed by 1072 aided by the establishment of feudalism under which his followers were granted land in return for pledges of service and loyalty."
Back to Basics--A Series for Newer Ricardians
"Background, major events, and principal players associated with that period of English history - the Wars of the Roses, the fall of the House of Lancaster and rise of the House of York, and the life, times, and reign of Richard III.
Not Guilty--Again!
" Three Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court find Richard III Not Guilty Following Mock Trial Oral Argument Held at the U.S. Supreme Court...On June 4, 1997, the Lawyers' Committee for the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C. sponsored a mock trial before three Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and a large number of members of the Washington, D.C. Bar. Following oral arguments, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Associate Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Stephen G. Breyer, in a 3-0 decision, ruled that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof that 'it was more likely than not that the Princes in the Tower had been murdered; that the bones found in 1674 in the Tower were those of the Princes; and that Richard III had and that Richard III had ordered or was complicitous in their deaths."  The defense lawyers put on a good show.  The result?  Go and see.
Richard III - Brief Biography.
RICHARD III AND YORKIST HISTORY SERVER
The Richard III and Yorkist History Server, sponsored by the American Branch of the Richard III Society. Devoted to the study of King Richard III, "last of the medieval English kings the Wars of the Roses, a dynastic struggle in the later middle ages that pitted Yorkist against Lancastrian  fifteenth-century England and its culture the reputation of Richard III in history, literature, and drama, especially Shakespeare."  Excellent site.
Richard III Society
Thanks mainly to Shakespeare, England's Richard III (1452-1485), is known as the wicked, hunchbacked uncle who murdered his way to the throne. Site attempts to resurrect his reputation by exploring the events that surrounded his turbulent life. Uniquely English historic revisionism. Fun and surprisingly informative. Have an open mind and you'll be surprised at your reactions.

SCOTLAND

The Gathering of the Clans
Nearly every Scot clan is represented here with origin and history, and colorful renderings of its tartan (plaid cloth) and badge. Includes listing of early Scottish Kings. Of special interest is the coverage of the lowland clans, or border clans - many called "Reivers" as they pillaged and plundered against other clans or the English.
Nessie on the Net
"Scotland's first and official Loch Ness Monster Site." Includes webcam which updates every 120 seconds showing "the most famous monster hunting location of Urquhart Castle." Also includes video streams of eyewitness interviews as well as a "search Nessie' search engine.
Scottish Highlands and Islands
"The Celts were the first race to use the long sword and small shield (a type of buckler shield) in Europe. Previously, knives or daggers, short swords-as the Romans used-were the accepted "correct" way of fighting. This three and one-half foot long sword put fear in the Romans." Features Scottish , Medieval, Celtic History; Battles and Wars of England and Scotland. Scottish timeline from 7000 B.C.  Key information on Medieval Witchcraft and Scottish origins.  Detailsabout everyday life, religion and artforms. Decent section on the Vikings, Breton, and British Celts. Clan map of Scotland is definitely cool. Text heavy, but good.  

ROYALTY

The Monarchs of England
Britannia Web biographies of the men and women who have ruled Britain since 802 AD. Listed by royal house, excellent articles contain genealogies, maps and links to prehistoric period and Roman period, Anglo-Saxons, Arthur, Medieval Britain, Reformation, myths and legends.
Tudor England
Did you know ...that the population in Tudor England was over 4 million people in 1599? ...what "government by seal" means? ...what the 5 types of mental diseases were in the early Tudor medical opinion? ...where Sir Walter Raleigh's head was kept for 29 years - after his execution in 1618? Simply click and go - the answers are at your fingertips.
Tudors and Stuarts
Great jump-off point to learn about Tudor and Stuart periods. The Tudor period "begins when Henry Tudor, a Lancastrian, defeated King Richard 111 at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 ending the War of the Roses." Monarchs, Protestant church beginnings, Bloody Mary, Spanish Armada, Elizabethan Age, Mary Queen of Scots, Civil War, The Restoration. Link to complete works of Shakespeare.
Tudor Recipes and Helpful Hints
Recipes from the Tudor Kitchen for Pheasants a la Dauphionoise, Michaelmas Goose, Mulled Cider, Best Pomader Directions, Yuletide Wassail, Millennial Cookies (tausendjahrkuchen), Haggis Sausage.
The Tudor Times
Where else would you find a 3D Puzzle of Camelot or a Dream Castle Blocks Set? Recipes for Michaelmas Goose or Pheasants a la Dauphinoise? Or a chance to surf the humorous, yet satirical, Ring of Irony? Humor waiting for you around every corner!  Extraordinary site.