American Reacts to the History of England

Now that I have learned about the extensive history of Great Britain and the incredible reach of the British Empire it is time for me zoom in a little deeper. Today I am excited to learn and react to the History of England. I am both a bit embarrassed and yet happy to say that I have absolutely no idea what I am about to learn about English history. If you enjoy my reaction feel free to leave a like, comment, or subscribe for more videos like this!

[rebecca.smith.]

In the UK 100 miles is a long way, in American 100 years is a long time.

[eleanorjenkinson]

1066 was an extremely important date in our history. It was the first and last time that the land mass known as England was defeated and taken over in war. William the Conqueror, also known as William of Normandy, or William the first was the person who had the tower of London built to help defend his new acquisition.

[sallysteele]

I'm shocked that there was no mention of Alfred the Great! He was such an important figure in the history of Britain.

[Rosie]

I’m British and my ancestry was actually traced back to viking chiefs Azlock and Ozlack. This was very interesting because my grandparents surname is Haselock which obviously is incredibly similar sounding

[Edd]

England and France are like squabbling siblings. We're more alike than either would care to admit, but we've been stuck next to each other for so long our tiny differences really irritate us 😅

[mattharrison]

The Normans were not really "French". They were the descendants of Viking invaders who eventually accepted the French king as their overlord - but they kept fairly independent. They adopted the French language and French culture - but they were not, strictly speaking, actually French or Frankish...The name Normandy (and the Normans) is related to its settlement by Vikings - aka "Northmen"...

[Alexm]

Correction: the romans weren’t blocked by a wall, they built a wall known as Hadrians wall which is located entirely in Modern day England, which kept out the those they deemed “savages” which is now modern day Scotland and a small section of Northern England

Also Spain English conflict: yes the battle of the Armada but does an American not know the Spanish+French+Dutch helped them win the American Revolution

[timglennon]

Never call someone from Scotland or Wales English, and never call anyone from England Scottish or Welsh.

[BigTymRock]

I'm assuming you will not see this as many other won't either but I need to get this of my chest as there were so many problems. First of all, I hate summaries as they miss so much, this missed out so much of the Spanish conflict, the Viking conflict, and so so so much more. The English language is not French and old English, it's actually Old English, Old Norse (mother to our language), French and Old Latin. Hence why it's so difficult. It missed out so much detail of King John and the Magna Carta not to mention that as I've seen some people say, the Norman's weren't strictly French as a Viking Warrior turned French Noble man was actual named Rollo a Viking ruler, not French. The only reason why William beat our King was because they marched so long and far, and we're weakened, lossed many in casualties from the battle with Hardrada that William defeated us. Great Britain, as we know it, did come to exist until the early 1700s (18th century). I find there were many inaccuracies in this informative video. It is, for the most part, correct but missed out so many other important historical events and information.

[tracywells]

This made me laugh so much, our History is crazy, and it’s not until someone trying to figure it out, that you realise just how complicated and intriguing the UK is God I’m proud.

[tinamiles]

Boudica (also written as Boadicea) was a Celtic queen who led a revolt against Roman rule in ancient Britain in A.D. 60 or 61. As all of the existing information about her comes from Roman scholars, particularly Tacitus and Cassius Dio, little is known about her early life; it’s believed she was born into an elite family in Camulodunum (now Colchester) around A.D. 30.At the age of 18, Boudica married Prasutagas, king of the Iceni tribe of modern-day East Anglia. When the Romans conquered southern England in A.D. 43, most Celtic tribes were forced to submit, but the Romans let Prasutagas continue in power as a forced ally of the Empire. When he died without a male heir in A.D. 60, the Romans annexed his kingdom and confiscated his family’s land and property. As a further humiliation, they publicly flogged Boudica and raped her two daughters. Tacitus recorded Boudicca’s promise of vengeance after this last violation: “Nothing is safe from Roman pride and arrogance. They will deface the sacred and will deflower our virgins. Win the battle or perish, that is what I, a woman, will do.”

Like other ancient Celtic women, Boudica had trained as a warrior, including fighting techniques and the use of weapons. With the Roman provincial governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus leading a military campaign in Wales, Boudica led a rebellion of the Iceni and members of other tribes resentful of Roman rule. After defeating the Roman Ninth Legion, the queen’s forces destroyed Camulodunum, then the captain of Roman Britain, and massacred its inhabitants. They went on to give similar treatment to London and Verulamium (modern St. Albans). By that time, Suetonius had returned from Wales and marshaled his army to confront the rebels. In the clash that followed–the exact battle site is unknown, but possibilities range from London to Northamptonshire–the Romans managed to defeat the Britons despite inferior numbers, and Boudica and her daughters apparently killed themselves by taking poison in order to avoid capture.

[davidrichardson]

Your thoughts about living on an island as opposed to a larger continental landmass sums up what it is to be British. As Churchill said; "We have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked but not combined. We are interested and associated but not absorbed. If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea.”

[MadaraUchiha-vdbx]

Never feel embarrassed about not knowing something, the only thing that matters is that you’re making an effort to now 👌 Most people can’t be bothered to learn their history, as an American your family roots probably come from the British Isles or Europe 😎

[jackrobinson]

As a Brit, I find it fascinating how many pieces of knowledge and/or perspectives you take for granted that you (and by extension other non brits) just have never thought about. I Love that you are interested in it and am throoughly enjoying listening to your journy through our history.

[AlbionAirsoft]

Only at 5:10 but I find it interesting how starting with the romans is like starting lord of the rings with the second book 😅

[stanroach]

William the Conqueror was from Normandy (part of France) but was a descendent of the Viking Rollo who settled in Normandy in the 900's

[daveofyorkshire]

Game of Thrones was based on real events from Scotland and England, even the seven Kingdoms, the enemy across the sea, the Great wall and the barbarians to the north.

Wales has a national animal of dragons and believe it or not Scotland's national animal is the Unicorn.

The red wedding really happened in Scotland.

England was Albion, Ireland was Hibernia, and Scotland Caledonia.

[iainsan]

England, like most of Europe, was inhabited by Celtic tribes, but they were also invaders in previous centuries. Before them, various other neolithic people lived in what came to be called England. Stonehenge and many other stone circles in Britain date back to the time of the ancient Egyptians (3000 BC) but we know very little about them.

[leonmcleod]

I'm from Manchester, England, and now live in Perth, Scotland. And I think your videos are quality bruv. Keep them going, fella.

[lindambird]

It's so very nice to see an American to be so interested in other parts of history of the world.. I'm a Canadian, and I learnt a few new things myself, many thanks.. I thoroughly enjoy your Reacts, I like it that you really do like learning more of the world outside of USA.. 🐦