A Short History of England
A Short History of England by G.K. Chesterton is a book that provides an overview of the history of England from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. The book covers major events such as the Norman Conquest, the Wars of the Roses, and the English Civil War. It also discusses important figures in English history including William the Conqueror, Henry VIII, and Oliver Cromwell.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1917 · Genre: History, Non-fiction, Essay · 18 chapters · 67,032 words
First lines
It will be very reasonably asked why I should consent, though upon a sort of challenge, to write even a popular essay in English history, who make no pretence to particular scholarship and am merely a member of the public. The answer is that I know just enough to know one thing: that a history from the standpoint of a member of the public has not been written. What we call the popular histories should rather be called the anti-popular histories. They are all, nearly without exception, written against the people; and in them the populace is either ignored or elaborately proved to have been wrong. It is true that Green called his book "A Short History of the English People"; but he seems to have thought it too short for the people to be properly mentioned. For instance, he calls one very large part of his story "Puritan England. " But England never was Puritan. It would have been almost as unfair to call the rise of Henry of Navarre "Puritan France."
What this Textopian page supports
A Short History of England is listed on Textopian as an essay by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: History, Non-fiction, Essay, Political Commentary, Cultural Analysis
- Length: 67,032 words
- Structure: 18 chapters, 470 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Short History of England by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- History — The book provides a chronological account of England's history, focusing on significant events and figures.
- Non-fiction — The content is factual and based on historical events, rather than fictional storytelling.
- Essay — The writing style is reflective and analytical, resembling a series of essays on historical topics.
- Political Commentary — The book includes analysis and commentary on political developments and their impact on England's history.
Tags
history · England · British history · politics · culture · society · economics · historical analysis · national identity · literature · philosophy · religion
Contents
- Introduction
- The Province of Britain
- The Age of Legends
- The Defeat of the Barbarians
- St. Edward and the Norman Kings
- The Age of the Crusades
- The Problem of the Plantagenets
- The Meaning of Merry England
- Nationality and the French Wars
- The War of the Usurpers
- The Rebellion of the Rich
- Spain and the Schism of Nations
- The Age of the Puritans
- The Triumph of the Whigs
- The War with the Great Republics
- Aristocracy and the Discontents
- The Return of the Barbarian
- Conclusion