Throughout history, the English have had the reputation of being the most violent people in Europe. But, in spite of their warlike nature, they also elevated the rule of law to a national principle. This history of England shows in the development of British society the growth of a community governed under laws applicable to all, and shows how this same legalistic spirit infused all those nations which looked to England as their progenitor. Unlike other historians, Ridley understands the importance of myth as a potent force in history, and he describes how many episodes that have been dismissed as purely mythical have helped the British to better understand the characters of their rulers. He believes ideas and ideals have played a significant role inthe development of English society, making it capable of change in the face of new circumstances and forging a community of continuous evolution.