Publisher's Synopsis
This book is a travel story, a journey through British history, a two-week odyssey by road and foot, beginning in Edinburgh and finishing in Gloucester, 13 days later. The journey includes walking Hadrian's Wall, visiting a series of significant historical sites in Northern England and Wales, and hiking in remote parts of Wales. The book is a narrative journey, accompanied by photographs that explore two millennia of British history. It begins with the Roman occupation of the island, the original British Kingdoms that emerged from the departure of Rome 400 years later, and their eventual demise at the hands of the Angles and Saxons. It explores the events that led to the birth of England, and the emergence of the Welsh and then British nations. It travels through historic sites including Iron Age hillforts, Roman forts, neolithic standing stones, significant battlefields, and historic churches. It tells stories of the history of each of these places, and the epic poems of the people who built them, lived in them and fought over them. Much of Britain's remaining history resides in its churches, abbeys and cathedrals, and for that reason, this book focuses on the history, architecture and stories that can be found in these ancient buildings. The author hopes that this story will inspire others to make journeys through the history of their nations.
