"The Oxford History of Britain" traces the story of Britain and her peoples from Roman times to the present day in five compact volumes. The dramatic narrative also explores the relationship between political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of our history to provide a vivid and sometimes surprising picture of turmoil and change, in which can be seen a pattern of continuity, and the special awareness of nationality and patriotism that has been such a distinctive feature of British society. This volume concentrates on Britain during the Roman and Anglo-Saxon period. Roman Britain was marked by constant, alternating phases of social upheaval and readjustment, long before the final retreat of the Romans in the early fifth century. The book also describes the dynastic turbulence and the dramatic growth of urban life in the Anglo-Saxon period, until the final violent end at Hastings.