How England Began

How England Began by Nicholas J. Higham is an absorbing work of history that traces the messy, fascinating shift from Roman Britain to early Anglo-Saxon England. If you enjoy big questions, sharp argument and evidence-led storytelling, this one delivers.

Starting with the collapse of Roman rule in 410 CE, Higham follows the next turbulent century as Britain splintered into regions with sharply different identities. Drawing on archaeology and early texts, including Gildas, he examines how warfare, culture and language shaped the balance of power—and why Germanic customs took hold in England in a way they didn’t elsewhere in Europe. The result is a fresh look at the roots of “Englishness”, alongside the emergence of distinct Celtic identities in the west and north.

Perfect for readers of British history, Late Antiquity and early medieval archaeology, as well as anyone curious about migration and identity.

Add it to your basket and revisit the moment England began to form.