7/27/2019 Early Invasions

1/2

EARLY INVASIONS

The Celts

Between the sixth and the third century BC, the British Isles were

invaded by Celtic tribes who settled in southern England. They originally

came from central Europe. Their culture goes back to about !"" BC.

Between #"" and !#" BC, they were the most powerful people north of the$lps. %riginally they were pagan, with priests known as &ruids. They later

converted to Christianity. It was Celtic missionaries who spread the

Christian religion through 'cotland and northern England.

The Celts were famous artists, known for their sophisticated

designs, which are found in their elaborate (ewellery, decorated crosses and

illuminated manuscripts.

The Romans

In $& )*, the +omans invaded southern Britain. It became a +oman

colony called Britannia. The +omans set up their capital in ondon and builtma(or cities in Bath, Chester and -ork. The cities contained beautiful

buildings, suares and public baths. /ine villas were built for Celtic

aristocrats who accepted +oman rule.

The +oman invasion was not completely peaceful. In $& 0", the

Iceni, a tribe led by 1ueen Boudicca, destroyed three cities, including

ondon. The +omans stopped the rebellion brutally and Boudicca killed

herself.

The tribes of 'cotland never completely surrendered to the +omans.

$s a result, in $& !!, Emperor 2adrian built a long wall to defend the

border between England and 'cotland. 2adrian3s 4all was overrun several

times by 'cottish tribes and was finally abandoned in $& *5*. By then, the+oman Empire was collapsing and the +oman legions had left Britain to

fight the tribes on the continent.

The Saxons, Jutes and Angles

/rom about $& *#", 6ermanic tribes began invading south7east

England. The tribes came from what is now northern 6ermany, 2olland

and &enmark. The first to come were the 'axons, (oined later by the 8utes

and $ngles. The $ngles gave England its name. Britain had the protection

of only a few +oman legions. The native people could not stop the newenemy, known as the $nglo7'axons. The Celts fled north and west taking

their ancient arts and languages with them. Celtic languages have

disappeared from most of Europe, but are still spoken in parts of 4ales,

Ireland and 'cotland. Celtic Christians later returned to England from

'cotland and Ireland as missionaries. The $nglo7'axons in southernEngland were converted to Christianity following the arrival of 'aint

$ugustine of +ome in $& #9:. $s Christianity spread, churches and

monasteries were built all over England.

The Vikings

$bout $& :9", the ;ikings started to invade England. The he destroyed many

villages to make sure the English people did not rebel. The

7/27/2019 Early Invasions

2/2

?ichael ;aughan7+ees @In BritainA