Early Britain
The first inhabitants of Britain were hunter-gatherers who roamed the land during the Stone Age. Britain was connected to mainland Europe by a land bridge, allowing people to migrate freely, following the animals they hunted. Around 10,000 years ago, rising sea levels created the English Channel, separating Britain from the continent.
The Arrival of Farming
Around 6,000 years ago, the first farmers arrived in Britain, likely from southeastern Europe. They introduced agriculture and built settlements, tombs, and impressive monuments like Stonehenge. Stonehenge, located in Wiltshire, England, is believed to have been a significant gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. Another remarkable site from this period is Skara Brae, a well-preserved prehistoric village in Orkney, Scotland, which offers valuable insights into life at the end of the Stone Age.
The Bronze and Iron Ages
Around 4,000 years ago, the Bronze Age began, marked by the use of bronze tools and weapons. People lived in roundhouses and buried their dead in round barrows. Skilled metalworkers crafted beautiful objects in bronze and gold.
The Iron Age followed, with people mastering ironworking techniques. Hill forts provided defense, and settlements grew larger. The Celtic language was spoken across Britain, with variations surviving today in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The Iron Age people developed a sophisticated culture and economy, even minting the first coins in Britain.
The Roman Conquest
In 55 BC, Julius Caesar attempted to invade Britain but failed. Nearly a century later, in AD 43, Emperor Claudius successfully conquered most of Britain, despite resistance from tribes like the Iceni, led by Queen Boudicca.
The Romans never conquered parts of Scotland. To defend against the Picts, Emperor Hadrian built a wall across northern England. Hadrian’s Wall, with its forts like Housesteads and Vindolanda, remains a popular landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Roman rule lasted for 400 years, leaving a lasting impact on Britain. They built roads, public buildings, and established a legal system. They also introduced new plants and animals. Christianity began to spread in Britain during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
The Anglo-Saxon Period
When the Roman army withdrew in AD 410, Germanic tribes—the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—invaded Britain. After years of conflict, they established Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, primarily in what is now England.
The Anglo-Saxons were not initially Christians, but missionaries from Ireland and Rome spread Christianity throughout Britain. St. Patrick became the patron saint of Ireland, while St. Augustine established himself as the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Viking Age
Vikings from Denmark and Norway began raiding British coastal towns in AD 789. They eventually settled in eastern England and Scotland, forming their own communities. King Alfred the Great united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and successfully fought against the Vikings. Many Vikings remained in Britain, particularly in the Danelaw region of eastern and northern England, influencing place names and culture.
The threat of Viking attacks led to the unification of Scotland under Kenneth MacAlpin.
The Norman Conquest
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, defeating the Saxon King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. This victory, depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, marked the last successful foreign invasion of England.
The Norman Conquest brought significant changes to England’s government and social structures. Norman French influenced the English language. While the Normans initially conquered Wales, the Welsh gradually regained their territory.
William commissioned the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and resources in England, providing valuable insights into society after the Norman Conquest.
Check that you understand:
- The history of Britain before the Roman invasion
- The impact of Roman rule on British society
- The various groups who invaded Britain after the Romans
- The significance of the Norman Conquest in 1066