The settlement of Britain, which saw England, Scotland, and Wales become unified into a single nation, is a process that began with the Roman conquest of AD 43 and lasted until the coup of 1707 that formally united the once separate nations under a single government.
This history is characterised by significant events, people, and movements that have all left their mark on Britain’s culture and landscape.
During this time, Britain underwent a number of societal changes and reforms, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the Church of England’s establishment as the main religious force in the 16th century. This period transformed the British society from a largely rural population to one with an increasingly urban and commercial focus.
The period is often considered to be the time when most of Britain’s great cities were formed or expanded. London, the most notable of them all, was a bustling city by the 16th century, and saw its population grow exponentially as it became a major trading centre and port. Other cities, such as Bristol and York, followed suit and saw significant improvements to their harbour fronts and infrastructure as they embraced international trade.
At the same time, much of the island’s countryside was dotted with new settlements, villages, and castles that served as the centre of a fledgling Britain. This network of connecting settlements was largely facilitated by the move to a market economy, which allowed the localised production and exchange of goods and services in the absence of significant central authority.
The period of settlement also helped Britain establish itself as an international power. This was due to its strong naval presence and successful piracy missions in the 17th century. The success of the British navy is often credited to the presence of many experienced sailors recruited from the numerous merchants that visited and traded in the nation. As this network of seafarers expanded, so too did the reach of Britain’s ships.
The social and political landscape of Britain also underwent significant changes during this period. The settlement period saw a large influx of immigrants from Europe and beyond, many of whom settled in Britain and found work in agriculture and trade. This new population helped fuel the growing economy and further cemented the notion that Britain was a centre of both business and government.
The period of settlement also stressed the importance of religion in the nation. As the dominant force in English society at the time, the Church of England helped shape culture and was a major factor in defining the political landscape. The Church’s influence was even more prominent in Scotland and Wales, where it was responsible for introducing education systems, the Anglican church, and even establishing the English language as the main language of the nation.
Technology
When discussing what Great Britain looked like during the settlement, its technological advancements cannot be ignored. Throughout the period of settlement, Great Britain began to develop a significant number of technological innovations that quickly became essential to the nation’s economy and expansion.
Perhaps the most famous of these inventions is the Watt steam engine, which was a major factor in improving production and transportation by allowing machines to be powered by coal, rather than manpower, and by facilitating the transportation of goods on large vessels that could move goods around the world much faster than previously. This allowed Great Britain to build steam-powered ships which were far faster and more reliable than previous sailing ships.
Additionally, Great Britain was and remained a major player in the field of maritime science. As its navy grew in size and efficiency, so too did its understanding of oceanography and meteorology, which allowed ships to travel further and to better predict the movement of currents and storms.
Other important inventions of the time include the printing press, which allowed for the mass production of books and other publications, as well as the cotton gin, which revolutionised the production of clothing.
Economy
The period of settlement also saw significant progress in the nation’s economy, as the British began to embrace free trade and the notion of global markets. This included the development of new banking practices, the expansion of the International Stock Exchange, and the emergence of a professional class of merchants and bankers. These changes saw Britain become one of the most influential nations in the world economy, and its people benefited from the increased demand for raw materials, labour, and manufactured goods.
As the nation’s economy flourished, Great Britain also became a major hub for international trade. Many large companies and financial institutions set up headquarters in London, and merchants throughout the world began to buy and sell goods from the British Isles. Great Britain also became a major force in the slave trade, which at its peak accounted for a third of the nation’s exports.
The nation’s newfound wealth and stability was also a major attraction for foreign investment, and many merchants from other nations, such as the Dutch and the French, invested heavily in British businesses. This influx of capital was a major factor in the nation’s burgeoning economy, and enabled many to become wealthy.
Government
The period of settlement also saw significant changes in the way Britain was governed, as the nation gradually transitioned from a monarchy to an increasingly modern system of government. In 1707, the Act of Union saw England, Scotland, and Wales become unified into a single nation, with the monarch ruling as the head of state. As a result of this act, the British Parliament was created, and the nation’s laws became more standardised across the country.
The period of settlement also saw the growth of parliamentary democracy in Britain, which sought to give citizens more direct influence over decisions made in government. This was largely done through the passage of various acts of Parliament, such as the Reform Act of 1832, which expanded the franchise and allowed many more people to vote in elections than ever before.
Although the nation was still largely divided between the wealthy upper classes and the largely impoverished lower classes, the period of settlement saw the implementation of a number of reforms that worked to improve life for all classes. This included the passage of laws that abolished imprisonment for debt and introduced pensions for the elderly.
Military
During the period of settlement, the British military was a major force in Europe, and the nation’s navy was able to dominate the seas through a combination of technology, tactics, and sheer size. Great Britain’s navy had become the world’s largest by the late 17th century, and had a significant presence around the world, from India to the American colonies.
At the same time, the British army was also a major factor in Europe, and had managed to extend its influence to many parts of the continent, from the Dutch Republic to the borders of Russia. This combined military might enabled Britain to become a major presence in many of the conflicts of the era, such as the War of the Spanish Succession and the Seven Years War.
However, the period of settlement also saw the emergence of new threats to Britain’s military power, including the rise of the Spanish and French navies, as well as the expansion of Russia’s influence in Europe. In response to these developments, the British began to focus on developing new strategies and technologies, including the development of new ironclads and the implementation of military reforms that made the nation’s forces more efficient and better able to respond to new threats.
Culture
The period of settlement also saw Britain become an increasingly diverse and dynamic nation, with immigrants from Europe and beyond influencing the nation’s culture. This was particularly evident in cities such as London, which had become a melting pot of cultures by the 17th century.
One of the most significant cultural developments of the period was the emergence of a new art movement known as the Baroque style. This artistic form drew on a number of artistic influences, including the Baroque style of Italy, Dutch Realism, and the Rococo style of France. This new movement enabled artists to explore new ideas and techniques, while also providing an outlet for the nation’s increasingly affluent middle classes.
At the same time, the period of settlement also saw the emergence of new musical styles, such as the rise of the “anthem” in Britain. This form of music was often used to express local pride and to celebrate national moments, and served as one of the main ways to express national feeling at the time.
Finally, the period of settlement saw the emergence of a number of new literary forms, such as the rise of the novel. Authors such as Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift wrote works that examined society, politics, and culture, while providing new insights into the long and eventful history of Britain.