Turning points in British history

A 20-part series of articles looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history

Turning points1956: The shock of Suez.

Turning points1916: The long march to modernity.

Turning points1851: The Crystal Palace.

Turning points1832: The ‘Great’ Reform Act.

Turning points1776: The year of American independence.

Turning points1745: The Jacobite rebellion.

Turning points1662: Restoration tragedy.

Turning points1638: The Scottish Revolution.

The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Turning points1588: The Spanish Armada.

Portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543). (Photo by: PHAS/UIG via Getty Images)

Turning points1534: Henry VIII declares his ‘empire’.

Part ten in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1450–1499

Turning points1483: Richard grabs the throne.

Watercolor Painting Depicting Battle of Agincourt (Photo by © Historical Picture Archive/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Turning points1415: The battle of Agincourt.

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 in England began in Brentwood, Essex as a protest at the collection of poll tax and reached a climax at Smithfield, London. Richard II (1367-1800) met the Kentish peasants who, under Watt Tyler (d1381), were demanding the end of serfdom. During the meeting William Walworth (d1385) Lord Mayor of London, wounded Wat Tyler who was taken to St Bartholomew's Hospital but was later dragged out of the hospital and beheaded. 19th century lithograph. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

Turning points1381: The Peasants’ Revolt.

Turning points1348: The Black Death.

Part six in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1200–1249

Turning points1295: Edward I consolidates English rule.

Part five in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1250–1299

Turning points1215: Magna Carta.

Part four in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1150–1199

Turning points1171: The English invasion of Ireland.

Part three in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1100–1149

Turning points1141: Stephen v Matilda.

Part two in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1050–1099

Turning points1066: The year of four kings.

Part one in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1000–1049

Turning points1016: The Danish conquest of England.