One of Britain's most popular and esteemed historians tells the epic story of the birth of England. The first in an extraordinary six-volume history, ""Foundation"" takes the reader from the primeval forests of England's prehistory to the death, in 1509, of the first Tudor king, Henry VII.

""First published in Great Britain by Macmillan""--T.p. verso.

Hymns of stone -- The Roman way -- Climate change -- Spear points -- The blood eagle -- The measure of the king -- The coming of the conquerors -- The house -- Devils and wicked men -- The road -- The law is lost -- The names -- The turbulent priest -- The lost village -- The great charter -- Crime and punishment -- A simple king -- The seasonal year -- The emperor of Britain -- The hammer -- The favourites of a king -- Birth and death -- The sense of a nation -- The night schools -- The commotion -- Into the woods -- The suffering king -- Old habits -- The warrior -- How others saw us -- A simple man -- Meet the family -- The divided realm -- The world at play -- The lion and the lamb -- The staple of life -- The king of spring -- Come to town -- The zealot king -- The king of suspicions -- A conclusion.