Britain: Chapter 2, history
Prehistory
2000 years ago Iron Age = Celtic culture
important is monumental architecture: Silbury Hill & Stonehenge
have a special meaning for people believing in mysticism
and esoteric religion
in Celtic society a priestly caste called the Druids
The Roman period (43-410)
Romans lived in the Roman province of Britannia (now England & Wales)
Celtic tribe: Scots migrated from Ireland to Scotland
the Picts: became the opponents of the Romans
division of the Celts
the Britons in England and Wales = experienced Roman rule
the Gaels in Ireland and Scotland = did not experience Roman rule
Romans left very little behind in England only their place names like Chester,
Lancaster and Gloucester are still used, Latin word ‘castra’
Hadrian’s Wall:
built by Romans
across the border of their province of Britannia (now English-Scottish
border)
goal: to protect their land from attacks by the Scots and the Picts
The German period (410-1066)
5th century: Angles and Saxons from the European mainland invaded and settled
they had the south-east part of the country
Celtic Britons had the west, under command of King Arthur
Anglo-Saxons were pagan (=heidens) <-> Christianity was spread by Roman
missionary St. Augustine
Christianity took over everywhere
secular and religious power continued to be both more locally based and less
secure throughout the medieval period
Prehistory
2000 years ago Iron Age = Celtic culture
important is monumental architecture: Silbury Hill & Stonehenge
have a special meaning for people believing in mysticism
and esoteric religion
in Celtic society a priestly caste called the Druids
The Roman period (43-410)
Romans lived in the Roman province of Britannia (now England & Wales)
Celtic tribe: Scots migrated from Ireland to Scotland
the Picts: became the opponents of the Romans
division of the Celts
the Britons in England and Wales = experienced Roman rule
the Gaels in Ireland and Scotland = did not experience Roman rule
Romans left very little behind in England only their place names like Chester,
Lancaster and Gloucester are still used, Latin word ‘castra’
Hadrian’s Wall:
built by Romans
across the border of their province of Britannia (now English-Scottish
border)
goal: to protect their land from attacks by the Scots and the Picts
The German period (410-1066)
5th century: Angles and Saxons from the European mainland invaded and settled
they had the south-east part of the country
Celtic Britons had the west, under command of King Arthur
Anglo-Saxons were pagan (=heidens) <-> Christianity was spread by Roman
missionary St. Augustine
Christianity took over everywhere
secular and religious power continued to be both more locally based and less
secure throughout the medieval period
