Bob Robinson researched his family tree and the historical events associated with his ancestors during the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. The work was the foundation for this book, which offers an accessible understanding of English history that will be of interest to a wide range of readers. A number of key themes were identified including the role played by Christianity in shaping the values of the nation, the importance of chivalry in providing the basis of a civilised society, and the contributions made by Puritanism to the development of individual freedoms and the promotion of economic prosperity. The traumatic effect of two world wars in the first half of the twentieth century and the subsequent post-war social revolution is also examined, as is England's place in the world and its relationship with other nations. The book seeks to make sense of where England has come from, where it is now, and where it may be heading.