1642: Over four hundred years after King John signs the Magna Carta, forever limiting by law the king's power, the English Civil War begins, fought between Parliamentary forces ("Roundheads") and Royalist supporters of King Charles I ("Cavaliers").

Today: The English monarch is a figurehead with no true legal authority; instead, the houses of Parliament are responsible for all legislation and the governing of the nation.

1642: All theaters in England are closed by order of the Puritans. They will remain closed until 1660, when the monarchy is restored and Charles II is placed on the throne.

Today: The English theater is regarded as one of the most influential and important in the world.

1648: Robert Herrick's Hesperides is published; the collection of poems features a number of works in which the relationship between the human and natural worlds is explored.

Today: The use of nature in British poetry...