Topic One: Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons

What is prehistory?

period before written language, celts and stuff happening.

When did the prehistoric period end in Britain?

start of roman period.

Who were the Celts?

The first culturally identifiable inhabitants of Britain

not, however, a homogenous ethnic identity (same language)

Briefly describe the lifestyle of the Celts.

Celts: tribal (patriarchal), rural, druids, Celtic language.

When did the Romans come to Britain? When did they leave?

43 CE to 411

How did the Romans treat the Celts?

repressive, harsh, judgemental and intolerant towards celtic aristocracy

ex: boudica’s rebelion

How did Roman rule affect the historical development of Britain?

Christianity Introduced, paganism still common

Rapid development of public works & infrastructure

Latin was introduced and Christianity spread to England

In order to flourish under Roman rule, the British would have had to acknowledge the divinity of the Roman emperor. Later, when the Roman Empire became Christian under the Emperor Constatine (Constantine converted in 312 A.D.), the British would have been pressured to convert. However, conversion to Christianity did not mean the Celts gave up their own gods.

What were the major impacts of the Roman withdrawal?

•411 CE "Look to [your] own defenses"

•Start of Medieval Period

•Rough transition:

•Economic decline

•Loss of military

•Crumbling infrastructure

Lost crafting techniques

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

The Anglo-Saxons came from a wide geographic area: Northern Germany, Southern Denmark, Southern Scandinavia, and the South Frisian coast. The first to arrive were raiders, primarily interested in plunder. By the end of the 5th century, however, they had begun to establish settlements in much of the East and South of what later came to be called England.

Why were they able to conquer Britain in the Early Medieval Period?

The power vacuum left by the Romans opened a path to new invaders,

How did the Anglo-Saxon invasion affect the Celts?

(very little information)

Many fled (some to Wales), the native population was forced to retreat to the West (into Wales) to escape the Anglo-Saxon advance. The lowlands of England to Wales and the West Country did experience a substantial increase in population as a result of an influx in refugees, though what percentage of the population was forced to flee is uncertain.

As the British Celts withdrew from the Anglo-Saxon incursion, they took with them their belief in Christianity along with the remnants of Roman culture, including their knowledge of Latin.

Who were the Danes?

Vikings, peolple from scandanavia

Briefly describe the interactions between the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes throughout the Early Medieval Period.

Danelaw

Danegeld

Vikings control much of Northern & Eastern England

shifted from violent Viking raids (late 8th-9th centuries) to intense warfare and conquest, culminating in the establishment of the Danelaw (Danish-ruled East/North England), followed by gradual Anglo-Saxon reconquest under Wessex, and eventual fusion creating a new English identity with significant linguistic and cultural exchange, solidified by Danish rule under King Cnut in the 11th century. 

Describe the historical development of Christianity in Britain during this time period.

Celts: polytheist

Romans: poly but then christian

Celts: now christian

Anglo-Saxons: polytheistic

Celts: still christian

Anglo Saxons: then christian