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The Boltonian theory of modern history

"God blessed Bolton with the purest water for washing cloth, and the blackest coal to fire the steam engines. And in 1779 he chose Samuel Crompton of Hall i' the Wood to invent a wonderful machine, the spinning mule, which not only produced a fine strong cotton thread, but also proved suitable for mechanization. Soon Bolton's magnificent cotton mills gave a chance to the struggling port of Liverpool, where the cotton bales arrived from America, to the downtrodden people of Manchester where people could now grow rich at the cotton Exchange, and to a number of lesser towns in the locality such as Preston, Blackburn and Burnley where the thread could be woven into lovely vests and shirts. Soon, Lancashire's cotton trade was putting Yorkshire woollens into the shade. It clothed millions around the world, requiring the building of the world's biggest merchant fleet to carry it and the world's strongest navy to protect it."

Norman Davies, "The Isles", 1999.
55 BC Julius Caesar visits Britain, brings islands into Roman sphere of influence: sets up trade and exacts tribute.
43 AD Roman emperor, Claudius, looking for an easy triumph, exploits divisions between British tribes and conquers Britain
79 AD Julius Agricola, governor of Britain, consolidating Roman hold on Britain, makes camp at Mancunium (Manchester) on way from Deva (Chester) to Eboracum (York). Bremetennacum (Ribchester) established as one of largest Roman forts in England.
122 AD Emperor Hadrian begins building his wall from coast to coast, roughly separating what is now Scotland from England.
200 Christian missions from Rome (Christianity does not persist in NW) Roman altar in church at Halton, North of Lancaster
410 Roman withdrawal
5th to 7th Centuries "Dark Ages" - Celtic Kingdom of Rheged, waves of Germanic tribes invade and eventually overwhelm Celts.
627 St. Paulinus converts region to Christianity (again). Small community of priests at Preston (Priests' Town).
9th Century Vikings establish settlements along Lancashire coast (Helsby, Kirkby, Formby, Westby, Ormskirk, Bilsborrow, Dolphinholme) Geirr stong (spear stone) probably a meeting place. - Part of "Danelaw", most of Northern Britain under control of Scandinavian people.
871-899 Reign of Alfred King of Wessex - begins to get "England" together from his capital in Winchester.
937 Irish and Scottish Norse kings attempt invasion to bring all Britain under Norse rule. Defeated by Saxon king, Athelstan probably on shore of Mersey.
1066 Final invasion of Norsemen (from France) under Guillaume, Duke of Normandy. Castles built to consolidate Norman conquest include Lancaster, and Clitheroe.
1086 Domesday Book makes an inventory of all people and property in the Norman's newly conquered land. Records Garstang as Cherestanc
1366 Henri, Duke of Lancaster born seizes throne in1377, begins dispute between white rose of Yorkshire and red rose of Lancaster. (Wars of the Roses)
1485 House of Lancaster finally triumphant over Richard III (of York) when Henry VII crowned
1500 Lawrence Washington born at Warton. Seven generations lead to George Washington.
1612 10 witches of Pendle (near Clitheroe) hung at Lancaster - result of disputes between neighbors and mood of the times: James the First's superstition and general religious conflicts.
1648 Battle of Preston: Scots, persuaded to intervene on behalf of Charles I in English Civil War, defeated. Oliver Cromwell's position strengthened.
1649 Charles I executed. Oliver Cromwell's becomes "Lord Protector".
1656 John Washington (George's great grandfather) sails for Virginia (family accused of being Royalists)
1660 Monarchy restored under Charles II but religious disputes continue.
1707 Act of Union of England and Scotland
1715 First invasion of England by Scottish supporters of Stuart claim (over George I of House of Hanover) to English (and Scottish throne). James Edward Stuart captures Preston and declares himself king of England. Fails to hold town. (Second invasion under Bonnie Prince Charlie fails in 1745)
18th century Cotton begins to arrive at Sunderland Point from plantations in Southern US
1779 Samuel Crompton of Bolton invents Spinning Mule
1819 Peterloo Massacre: Troops open fire on peaceful demonstration by Manchester cotton workers demanding political representation. (11 people killed)
1830 World's first passenger railway, Liverpool to Manchester
1844 Friedrich Engels, living in Manchester publishes "Condition of the Working Class in England". (He supported Karl Marx for many years with earnings from his family's cotton mill)
1861-1865 American Civil War: blockade of the South stops cotton reaching Lancashire mills.