England has seen the most influential developments, though Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have each fostered unique styles and played leading roles



in the international history of architecture. Although there are prehistoric and classical structures in the British Isles, British architectural history effectively begins with the first Anglo-Saxon Christian churches, built soon after Augustine of Canterbury arrived in Great Britain in 597. Norman architecture was built on a vast scale throughout Great Britain and Ireland from the 11th century onwards in the form of castles and churches to help impose Norman authority upon their dominions. English Gothic architecture, which flourished between 1180 until around 1520, was initially imported from France, but quickly developed its own unique qualities.