John Evelyn publishes Sylva, among the first-ever texts to advocate for forest conservation practices
The conservation movement can be traced back to Sylva, one of the most highly influential texts on forestry ever published.
United Kingdom
Hobbes publishes Leviathan, a seminal philosophical text
Leviathan rigorously argues that civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contract.
Shakespeare writes Hamlet, one of the most influential pieces of literature in history
Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play, and is considered among the most powerful and influential works of world literature, with a story capable of “seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others”.
Celtic mythology compiled in The Mabinogion
The Mabinogion are the earliest prose stories of the literature of Britain. They were created by various narrators over time.
Scottish army, led by William Wallace, defeats the English at the Battle of Sterling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallacedefeated the combined English forces of John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham near Stirling, on the River Forth.
Construction begins at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in London. It is one of the United Kingdom’s most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and burial site for monarchs.
The University of Cambridge is founded
Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university.
The University of Oxford, oldest in the English-speaking world, is founded
There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.
Ancient Romans begin construction of Hadrian's Wall in Britain
Hadrian’s Wall was the north-west frontier of the Roman empire for nearly 300 years.
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Humans of ancient Britain construct Avebury
One of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain, Avebury contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world.