Introduction: Humans, History, Folly and Fortune -- The Roman eagle lands --Introduction --Caesar's first foray, 55 BC: foolish but fortunate? -- Caesar tries his luck again, 54 BC -- Who were the Britons? -- The hundred years' respite -- The Claudian invasion, AD 43: of emperors and elephants -- Boudica and the revolt of AD 60: bold but botched? -- Thereafter -- Boudica in history -- The continuing Roman presence -- Why did things happen the way they did? -- Conclusion -- The Coming of the Pagans -- Introduction -- The Anglo-Saxon 'guests' --Vortigern the 'host': villain or scapegoat? -- The English make themselves at home -- The uninvited Vikings: bad boys or bad press? -- Aethelred and the 'new wave' Vikings: poor king or poor luck? -- Vikings rule -- Why did things happen the way they did? -- Conclusion -- The Improbable Norman Conquest -- Introduction -- January 1066: contested succession, past deeds -- Early February to early September: manoeuvrings -- Mid to late September: the arrival of Hardraada and William -- October and Hastings: human error or the fortunes of war? -- After Hastings -- Why did things happen the way they did? -- Some observations on the personalities of the two main protagonists -- Conclusion -- Conclusion: So Just How Foolish or Fortunate Have We Been? -- Appendix 1: The question of Arthur -- Appendix 2: Timeline -- Appendix 3: Chronology of kings and overlords of England from the Anglo-Saxon advent to the Norman Conquest.