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 built
ma(or cities in Bath, Chester and -ork. The cities contained beautiful
buildings, s.uares 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 new
enemy, 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 southern
England 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
<orsemen, who came from <orway, mainly settled in 'cotland and
Ireland. The north and east of England were settled by the &anes. The
;ikings were excellent traders and navigators. They traded in silk and
furs as far as +ussia. In "0, England became part of the 'candinavian
empire under =ing Cnut. In "00, England was again facing invasion
from the north and the south. In 'eptember, =ing 2arold II marched
north to defeat his half7brother, the king of <orway, at the Battle of
'tamford Bridge. 8ust three weeks later, he himself was defeated and
killed at 2astings by another invader of ;iking origin, 4illiam &uke of
<ormandy, from northern /rance.
The Normans
The &uke of <ormandy, known as 4illiam the Con.ueror, now
became king of England, establishing a new $nglo7<orman state.
England became a strong, centralised country under military rule. Castles
appeared all over England to enforce <orman rule. England has never
been invaded since "00. 4illiam was a harsh ruler> he destroyed many
villages to make sure the English people did not rebel. The <ormans3
power was absolute and the language of the new rulers, <orman7/rench,
has had a lasting effect on English.
?ichael ;aughan7+ees @In BritainA