Understand
[edit]| “ | Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves. Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. |
” |
—James Thomson set to music by Thomas Arne, 1740 | ||
| Britain and Ireland historical travel topics: Celts → Medieval → Early modern → Industrial → British Empire |
The Early Modern period saw England's and Scotland's participation in the Age of Discovery, the Protestant Reformation, and the foundation of the United Kingdom and the British Empire.
Britain rivalled European great powers such as the Dutch Empire, the Spanish Empire, and the Kingdom of France, while the Portuguese Empire became a long-time ally.
The early modern period can be held to begin with the Tudor Renaissance in 1485, as the Hundred Years and the War of the Roses were followed by a period of stability and innovation. The late 18th century with the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence heralded the modern era.
Destinations
[edit]
Map showing the present-day United Kingdom and Ireland
- 1 London. Capital of England, and later the United Kingdom and the British Empire. Ravaged by the 1666 fire, and rebuilt as a modern imperial capital.
- 2 Edinburgh. Capital of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Enlightenment.
- 3 Glasgow. Britain's port to the North Atlantic.
- 4 Stratford-upon-Avon. Birthplace of William Shakespeare, Britain's most famous playwright.
