When It Happened

by George Chamier

This is a whistle-stop tour through 2,000 years of our nation's story from the Roman invasion to the Falklands War. Setting out the wide sweep of British history that is often ignored, historian George Chamier weaves together a reader-friendly combination of key dates with linking narrative. Here are all our good Kings and usurpers, low dealings and acts of heroism, moments of great conquest, empire or defeat - and through it all the story of the formation of the United Kingdom. Do you the difference between Vortigern, Hengist and Horsa? How the Welsh got hammered, Scotland was cleared and England got its name? Which Roman emperor was born in Yorkshire? Why King John got the nickname 'softsword'? This is a little book with an important aim - to connect all the great dates in history and put them in order to show the whole story of our nation.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2006

About the author

George Chamier was partly brought up in Ross-shire and educated at Eton and the universities of Cambridge and Lancaster. After seven years as an advertising executive in London and Amsterdam, he became a full-time fisherman in the Highlands for twelve years, having first learned the art of net and coble fishing for salmon as a schoolboy. George retired as Head of History at Bradfield College in 2005 and now lives in London, working as a tutor and editor. Until 2018 he spent at least a month every summer fishing on the Cromarty Firth. His previously published works include When it Happened in Britain and When it Happened in Scotland (both Constable), The First Light, a history of Innerpeffray, Scotland’s oldest lending library, and Britain’s Greatest Prime Ministers (Endeavour Press). ‘Cold Iron’, an article about the fishing, appeared in Archipelago magazine.

Reviews

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very pleasing to read a history book from cover to cover which made all of the important dates in British history so accessible in such a witty way. The author covers times from the Romans right up to the present, Internet and all. There is a little lacking in some detail here and there of course, but for a quick reference guide to those who only wish to find basic information, especially children, George Chamier’s book is perfect. Unlike my dire history lessons at school this little book was enjoyable throughout, even amusing in some parts!

[Malachi]

Definitely useful for visualising Britain's timeline (mostly of its Monarchy), especially for young people, but it also follows a very conventional and non-critical narrative which isn't particularly useful. It's better for answering pub quiz questions than actually assessing historical events, which is to be expected, but just keep that in mind! As it was written in 2006, there is also some problematic language.

[Herald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love England!!! Many condemn, few comprehend