History is governed by geography, and Britain is no exception to this rule. From the early ages the British Isles, especially the flat low-lying south and east coastlines, were a temptation to different wandering tribes because of the mild climate and fertile soils that offer perfect agricultural conditions. Apart from its lavish greenery, the island was also famous for its natural resources – there was gold, tin and iron in the ground, big and small game in the forests; the rivers swarmed with fish and provided excellent navigable inlets into the hinterland.
This chapter describes the oldest inhabitants of Britain, the settlers and invaders who
kept coming there until 1066, and the feudal period in Britain.