The Leading Facts of English History

"The Leading Facts of English History" by D. H. Montgomery is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work aims to present the evolution of England's past through the lens of significant events and figures, illustrating the growth of the nation from its earliest inhabitants to the more complex societal structures that followed. The book is designed to serve both educational purposes and to engage readers interested in the foundations of modern England. The opening of the book lays a groundwork of England's history by exploring its earliest inhabitants before written records began. It describes primitive peoples who created tools from flint, the subsequent arrival of the Celtic Britons, and their cultural practices, including the role of the Druids in early religious life. Montgomery also discusses the impact that these early societies had on the development of England, acknowledging their contributions to agriculture and governance despite being labeled as "barbarians" by later civilizations like the Romans. In this introductory section, readers can appreciate how the customs and struggles of these early peoples laid the essential foundations for English history.