History of English Speaking People by Winston Churchill
A Winston Churchill Book Study from a Christian Worldview
One of the strengths of reading Churchill from a Christian perspective is recognizing that, while he highlights human leaders and events, Scripture reminds us that God is the ultimate author of history.
Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes.
The Birth of Britain by Winston Churchill is the first book, in a series of four, that we are going to be using as the spine of our history curriculum. We purchased ours off Amazon here: The Birth of Britain
Geography is woven into our history study. So, we will be looking up places on maps as we go.
For the purpose of the blog, I am going to share these resources in a six volume set.
Volume I – Britain Before England
Introduction – Chapter 4
Introduction
Chapter 1: Britannia
Chapter 2: The Roman Province
Chapter 3: The End of Roman Britain
Chapter 4: The Lost Island
Focus: Celtic Britain, Rome, Christianity, and the collapse of Roman rule.
Volume II – The Anglo-Saxon World
Chapters 5–8
Focus: Anglo-Saxon settlement, the Heptarchy, St. Augustine, King Edwin, and the growth of Christian England.
Volume III – The Viking Age
Chapters 9–13
Focus: Viking invasions, Alfred the Great, Danelaw, Edward the Elder, and Athelstan.
Volume IV – The House of Wessex
Chapters 14–17
Focus: Edgar, Dunstan, Æthelred, Danish invasions, and Cnut.
Volume V – The Norman Conquest
Chapters 18–22
Focus: Edward the Confessor, Harold, William the Conqueror, Hastings, and Norman England.
Volume VI – The Making of Medieval England
Chapters 23–End
Focus: William II, Henry I, Stephen, the Anarchy, Henry II, Thomas Becket, Richard I, John, and Magna Carta.
Before we begin reading the Introduction, I am going to preface the book with historical context and begin looking up geographical locations.
Week 1 Resources
The Birth of Britain
Introduction
🌍 Geography to Study
Before reading, students should become familiar with these locations:
Britain
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Ireland
- English Channel
- North Sea
- Atlantic Ocean
Continental Europe
- Gaul (modern France)
- Rome
- Mediterranean Sea
Important Rivers
- Thames
- Severn
- Humber
Ancient Tribal Areas
- Catuvellauni
- Trinovantes
- Iceni
- Brigantes
Ancient Britain
This interactive history map lets students see how Britain changed through different historical periods.
Historic UK Maps of Britain
Roman Empire
A wonderful reference showing the extent of Rome during Caesar's lifetime.
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Roman Empire Maps
🎥 Historical Videos to Watch Before Reading
I would recommend watching these in this order.
1. Ancient Britain Before Rome (10–15 min)
This introduces the Celts, Druids, and Iron Age Britain.
2. Julius Caesar and Britain
Excellent overview of why Caesar invaded.
3. Simon Schama's A History of Britain – Episode 1
If you have access, this is probably the single best documentary companion to Churchill's opening chapters. Episode 1 explores prehistoric Britain, the coming of Rome, and the foundations of the nation.
BBC Select – A History of Britain, Episode 1
4. Khan Academy Background
Although brief, Khan Academy provides excellent context on the Roman Republic and Julius Caesar.
Khan Academy – Julius Caesar and the End of the Roman Republic
📖 Before You Read
Ask students these questions:
- Why would Rome care about an island across the Channel?
- What advantages would an island have against invasion?
- How might geography influence a nation's future?
- Why do historians often begin Britain's written history with Julius Caesar?
Vocabulary Preview
Introduce these words before reading:
- Celt
- Tribe
- Druid
- Gaul
- Legion
- Province
- Republic
- Tribute
- Britannia
- Conquest
Timeline to Know
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 700 BC | Celtic peoples settle much of Britain |
| 55 BC | Julius Caesar's first expedition |
| 54 BC | Caesar's second expedition |
| AD 43 | Emperor Claudius begins the Roman conquest of Britain |
| AD 122 | Hadrian's Wall begins construction |
✝️ Biblical Connection Before Reading
As students begin the book, encourage them to think about history through the lens of Scripture:
Acts 17:26 "From one man He made every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place."
Ask:
- How might God use geography to shape a nation's history?
- How can powerful empires fit within God's sovereign plan?
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My study guides for this book will be a four volume set. Here is the first of four that covers Britain Before England.
Introduction – Chapter 4
Introduction
Chapter 1: Britannia
Chapter 2: The Roman Province
Chapter 3: The End of Roman Britain
Chapter 4: The Lost Island
Focus: Celtic Britain, Rome, Christianity, and the collapse of Roman rule.
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