55 First Invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was
made governor of Roman Gaul (covering France and Belgium as well as part of
Holland, Germany and Switzerland) in 58BC. He wanted to expand the Roman Empire
into Britain and sent spies to find out the location of tribes and key places
for attack.
54
BC 54 Second Invasion of Britain by
Julius Caesar
Julius
Caesar returned to Britain following his failed attempt to conquer the country
the year before. The second invasion force was much larger than the 55BC
expedition. Caesar took 800 ships across the Channel carrying 25,000 soldiers
and 2,000 cavalry. Again he sailed from Boulogne, France, and landed at Deal,
near Dover, in August.
43
DA 43 Roman invasion of Britain
The Roman Emperor
Claudius ordered General Aulus Plautius to conquer Britain. The Emperor was
particularly interested in the fertile soil in the South. Plautius set sail
from Gaul and landed on the South coast. Opinion is divided as to whether the
Romans landed at Richborough, Kent, or Fishbourne, Sussex, or at a number of
places along the coast. The general consensus favours Richborough (which was
known as Rutupiae) and became the Roman's main port to Britain.
The invading force
was 40,000 soldiers strong and quickly made inroads into Britain. Resistance in
the South was led by Caractacus (also known as Caradoc) and his brother
Togidumnus (also known as Togodumnus), sons of the late Catuvellauni chief,
Cunobelinus.
Claudius landed
from the continent at Kent and made his way to Colchester (Camulodunum) with an
impressive entourage, including camels and elephants. Colchester became the
capital of the Roman settlements in Britain. Plautius became the first governor
of Britain, a title he held until 46AD.During his governorship, Plautius
oversaw the construction of the Fosse Way, a road running for about 200 miles
from Axminster to Lincoln. It stretched the length of the first stage of the
Roman occupation.
50
50 Londinium founded by the Romans
Londinium (London)
was founded by the Romans on the site of an ancient ford over the River Thames.
The location of the original settlement is uncertain. London took over from
Colchester as the capital of the Roman Empire in Britain. The town was
burnt to the ground during the rebellion by Queen Boadicea (also known by the
Latin name of Boudicca) in 61AD.
61
61 Boadicea battles the Romans
Queen Boadicea was
married to Prasutagus, King of the Iceni tribe, Norfolk, East Anglia. She took
control of Iceni affairs when her husband died. Prasutagas bequeathed his
kingdom to be split between his wife, daughters and the Romans.
The Romans ignored
Prasutagas' wishes and invaded the Iceni kingdom. Boadicea organised a
rebellion against the Romans. She led more than 100,000 tribespeople from
across the South to take, the then Roman capital, Colchester (Camulodunum) and the
towns of London (Londinium) and St Albans (Verulamium).
More than 70,000
Romans were killed during her campaign. The Romans eventually overwhelmed her
army and she was captured. The provinces became stable under Roman control.
71
71 Foundation of York
A Roman fortress
was established at York (Eboracum). The Roman army selected the valley as a
base for the northern forces. Initially chosen as a base for the 9th legion,
the site soon expanded to include public housing, temples and baths.
119
119 Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain
Hadrian
became Emperor of Rome in 117. His reign was a time of Roman consolidation and
he travelled across his Empire to gain a better understanding of the needs of
different regions. He planned a visit to Britain to learn first hand about the
problems associated with Roman government on the island and to consider how
best to fortify the northern borders.
121
121 Hadrian's Wall
Roman Emperor
Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall marking the frontier of Roman
territory in Britain. He decided against pushing north to the 42 mile-long
Forth to Clyde isthmus held by Agricola in 81 and subsequently lost during the
retreat from Scotland. Instead, he chose the Tyne to Solway line, spanning a
distance of more than 70 miles. The choice echoed the Stanegate Frontier built
in 80 which provided a Roman defensive barrier for the North. Work began the
following year.
121
121 Hadrian's Wall
The Roman Emperor
Hadrian's visit to Britain saw the consolidation of the Roman presence in the
North. He oversaw the construction of one of the most impressive engineering
projects of the Roman era - Hadrian's Wall ran for 73 miles and took six years
to build. The Wall was established to mark the edge of Roman territory and stop
tribes from the North raiding Roman Britain.
The wall was
designed to last. Sections of the stone ramparts are still visible and attract
more than 1.25 million visitors a year.
139
139 Wall of Antonius
Roman Emperor
Antonius Pius pushed the frontier of Roman Britain northwards. He ordered the
construction of an earthwork about 100 miles north of Hadrian's Wall. The new
frontier spanned the country from the Forth to Clyde and took three years to
complete.
287
287 Saxon raiders
The Saxons, a tribe
of Germans from between the rivers Elbe and Weser, carried out persistent
attacks on the east coast of Britain. Roman Emperor Maximian appointed
experienced soldier Carausius to the new role of the 'Count of the Saxon Shore'
to tackle the problem. Carausius was given the task of defending the coast from
Saxon attack.
397 397
Roman Britain under attack
Britain was under
attack by Pict, Irish and Saxon tribes. The Roman army was struggling to defend
its borders. Roman General Stilicho, regent for the Roman Empire, travelled to
Britain with additional troops to quell the disturbances. This was the last
time a major initiative was launched by the Romans to hold British territory.
410
410 End of an era
Roman Emperor
Honorius was forced to defend his homelands from attack by the Visigoths. On
August 24, Rome was attacked and plundered by Alaric of the Visigoths and his
barbarian followers. The incident sent shockwaves throughout the Empire.
Honorius announced a total withdrawal of Roman forces from Britain to bolster
his defences in Italy.
The Picts, Scots
and Saxons took advantage of the situation to increase their attacks on
Britain. The people of Britain made pleas for assistance to Rome, known as
"the groans of the Britons". Rome was busy with its own affairs and
no aid was forthcoming. The Roman occupation of Britain was officially over.
446
446 Saxon attacks force Britains to beg for help
The Saxon attacks
continued unabated forcing the Britains to beg the Romans for help. When the
Romans refused to help, the Britains went overseas to the Angles to negotiate
aid.
Where did the
Angles and Saxons come from?
Artefacts found at
settlements all along the North Sea coast, from Denmark and from the northern
coasts of Germany, the Netherlands, and France suggest that this is the most
likely area.
An eighth-century
Northumbrian monk called Bede wrote an Ecclesiastical History of the
English People in 731 and explained the origins of the Anglo Saxons like
this:
"They came
from three most powerful Germanic tribes, the Saxons, the Angles, and the
Jutes. Of Jutish origin are the people of Kent and of the Isle of Wight, and
the part of the kingdom of Wessex opposite the Isle of Wight, still called the
nation of the Jutes. From the Saxon land, that is the place which is now called
Old Saxony, came the East Saxons, the South Saxons, and the West Saxons. From
the Anglian land, that is the place between the realms of the Jutes and the
Saxons which is called Angulus, and remains deserted to this day, came the East
Angles, the Middle Angles, the Mercians, and all the Northumbrian peoples, that
is, those who dwell north of the river Humber, as well as other Anglian
peoples". (Ecclesiastical History, i.15).
450
450 Anglo Saxon invasions
The end of Roman
Britain began in 450. The Roman government in Britain collapsed and the Romans
left the country. Germanic peoples landed and spread to take over major land
areas instead. The Anglo Saxons had arrived.
563
563 St Columba founds the Monastery at Iona
St Columba, the
Irish monk credited with bringing enduring Christianity to the Scots, founded
the monastery on the island of Iona that was to become the home of Celtic
Christianity in Scotland.
624
624 624/625 Sutton Hoo Burial
Although unproven, Raedwald,
King of East Anglia, was most likely buried inside a ship which was
discovered at the site by archaeologists in 1939. Amongst the artefacts was
found the magnificent Sutton Hoo Helmet, now on display at the British Museum.
627
627 Paulinus, a Roman missionary, arrived in Northumbria
Edwin, King of
Northumbria was baptised by Paulinus.
660
660 Foundation of monastery at Canterbury
Augustinian monks
build the first monastery at Canterbury.
664
664 Roman Catholicism adopted by the Synod of Whitby
Cuthbert
becomes Prior of Lindisfarne.
668
668 Establishment of the English Church
Theodor of Tarsus,
a Greek monk, came to England and was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. He
established the English church and organised it into a cohesive body.
673
673 Birth of Bede
The Venerable Bede was a scholar, theologian and historian.
Cuthbert made
Bishop of Lindisfarne
692
692 Archbishop Brihtwold becomes first English
Archbishop of Canterbury
698
698 Lindisfarne Gospels
One
of the earliest examples of illuminated manuscript was completed at Lindisfarne
in AD698.
731
731 The Venerable Bede
The Venerable Bede,
a monk from Jarrow-on-the-Tyne, completed his "Ecclesiastical History of
the Angles" in AD 731. 735 Death of Bede
741
741 York burned
754
754 Death of St. Boniface
St Boniface, an
early English Benedictine missionary was killed in Frisia.
779
779 Completion of Offa's Dyke
Offa's
dyke (a huge earthwork) stretched from the River Dee to the River Wye.
787
787 Danes begin raiding England
The Danes (or
Northmen) were a branch of the powerful Teutonic race which settled in the
countries now called Norway and Sweden and the islands of Denmark.
Towards the end of
the eighth century they became 'sea rovers' and ravaged the coasts of nearby
countries, sometimes sailing up rivers and going far inland to raid great
religious houses, monasteries and towns.
First Invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was made governor of Roman Gaul
(covering France and Belgium as well as part of Holland, Germany and
Switzerland) in 58BC. He wanted to expand the Roman Empire into Britain and
sent spies to find out the location of tribes and key places for attack.
In August of this year, Caesar carried out an attempt
to invade Britain. He led an attack force from Boulogne, France and landed more
than 10,000 soldiers at Deal near Dover. The Roman soldiers faced a unified
front from the tribes people of the South East. The British fought using horse
drawn chariots (a method deemed old fashioned by the invaders) to great effect
and the Romans were forced to retreat. A bad storm prevented Roman
reinforcements from landing in Britain and damaged the fleet on Deal beach. The
weather gave the British an advantage and Caesar was forced to leave Britain as
soon as his ships were seaworthy.
The following year, a second vast invasion force
landed Roman soldiers at Deal, near Dover.
Second Invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar returned to Britain following his failed
attempt to conquer the country the year before. The second invasion force was
much larger than the 55BC expedition. Caesar took 800 ships across the Channel
carrying 25,000 soldiers and 2,000 cavalry. Again he sailed from Boulogne,
France, and landed at Deal, near Dover, in August.
The invading force made inroads into Britain as the
tribes people retreated. British fighters were unable to prevent his advance.
Bad weather again changed Caesar’s fortunes in war when a storm damaged many of
the Roman ships waiting at Deal. Caesar turned his attention back to protecting
the fleet.
The British tribes regrouped and rallied under the
leadership of Cassivellaunus, head of the Catuvellauni. Fierce fighting broke
out between the Romans and Cassivellaunus’ followers. Neighbouring tribes,
aggravated by the fighting, supported Caesar’s advance and the Romans took St
Albans (Verulamium). Cassivellaunus was forced to surrender. Caesar did not
press his advantage in Britain. Instead, he returned to Gaul in September to
sort out affairs that had gone awry in his absence.
The Roman conquest of Britain took place in 43AD when
Emperor Claudius returned with a huge army of 50,000 men.
Tincommius
Tincommius became King of the Atrebates. The tribe
stretched along the South East coast through parts of Hampshire and Sussex. He
was the eldest son of Commius the Younger with whom he ruled until succeeding
the title in his own right when his father died.
(Commius the Younger was the son of Commius the Gaul
who helped Julius Caesar plan his attempted invasions of Britain from Gaul in 55
and 54BC. Commius the Gaul acted as a negotiator between Caesar and the British
tribes opposed to Roman occupation of the land. Shortly after, he led an
uprising in Gaul and was banished to Britain where he took his place at the
head of the Atrebates.)
King Tincommius deposed
Tincommius, King of the Atrebates since 20BC, was
deposed when his brother Eppullis made a bid for power. Tincommius made a plea
to Rome for recognition of his right to rule but was not granted assistance.
Emporer Augustus acknowledged Eppillus as the rightful heir. Eppillus had ruled
the northern part of the Atrebate kingdom since the succession of 20BC.
King Cunobelinus of Britain
Rome recognised Cunobelinus, king of the Catuvellani
tribe, to be the "official" King of Britain. Kingship in this era was
a tenuous occupation and there were plenty of claimants to any position of
power. It is likely that there were several "Kings in Britain" at
this time and Roman records survived better than other sources.
Shakespeare used Cunobelinus as the basis of his
character Cymbeline in the play of the same name.
Shakespeare's Cymbeline
Cunobelinus, king of the Catuvellani, took control of
much of south Britain. (The Catuvellani were instrumental in opposing Caesar’s
advance in Britain in 55 and 54BC. Despite failure to defeat Caesar in battle
the Catuvellani remained powerful.) Cunobelinus spread his kingdom out across
the country from his base at Colchester (Camulodunum) and built good relations
with the Romans on the continent who had recognised him as King of Britain in
5AD. By the time of his death in 40AD, he had established an influential
kingdom with a rich inheritance.
Shakespeare used Cunobelinus as the basis of his
character Cymbeline in the play of the same name.
Verica King of the Atrebates loses power
The leader of the powerful Atrebates clan, which held control of most of
Southern England, began to lose influence. King Verica's territory was
encroached in the North East by Trinovantians. It is possible he appealed to
Rome for aid and, in part, sparked the Roman invasion of the following year.
The invasion of 43AD was ordered by Emperor Claudius and carried out by General
Aulus Plautius
Roman invasion of Britain
The Roman Emperor Claudius ordered General Aulus Plautius to conquer
Britain. The Emperor was particularly interested in the fertile soil in the
South. Plautius set sail from Gaul and landed on the South coast. Opinion is
divided as to whether the Romans landed at Richborough, Kent, or Fishbourne,
Sussex, or at a number of places along the coast. The general consensus favours
Richborough (which was known as Rutupiae) and became the Roman's main port to
Britain.
The invading force was 40,000 soldiers strong and
quickly made inroads into Britain. Resistance in the South was led by
Caractacus (also known as Caradoc) and his brother Togidumnus (also known as
Togodumnus), sons of the late Catuvellauni chief, Cunobelinus. (Caractacus
spearheaded the resistance campaign until his defeat in 50AD. He was captured
and taken as a prisoner to Rome in 51AD. His life was spared by Claudius who
admired the prisoner's courage and civil manner.)
Plautius took control of the South East and pressed on
to London (officially named Londinium in 50AD). The Roman advance faced
resistance crossing the Thames before breaking through and taking London.
Plautius then called for Claudius, informing him of his success in Britain.
Claudius landed from the continent at Kent and made
his way to Colchester (Camulodunum) with an impressive entourage, including
camels and elephants. Colchester became the capital of the Roman settlements in
Britain. The Roman Emperor stayed for 16 days, during which time he accepted
the surrender of British tribes across the South. He then returned to Rome
leaving Plautius to continue his march across Britain. Plautius became the
first governor of Britain, a title he held until 46AD.
During his governorship, Plautius oversaw the
construction of the Fosse Way, a road running for about 200 miles from
Axminster to Lincoln. It stretched the length of the first stage of the Roman
occupation.
Chichester founded
The Roman Army was present in West Sussex from the
time of the invasion in 43AD and a base was established in the area of modern
day Chichester and Fishbourne. The town of Noviomagus (Chichester) was founded
in this year.
Client Kings
The Romans continued to spread out across the South of
Britain. Tribal chiefs chose whether to fight the invaders or enter deals with
the Romans. Many chose to take up the role of "Client King". The
Client King arrangement allowed a ruler to retain their land for the rest of
their life as long as they agreed the Romans could take over when they were
dead.
48
Caractacus resists the Roman Legions
Despite facing a well trained army of professional
soldiers, the tribes of the Catuvellauni, Trinovantes and Cantiaci continue to
fight the invading Romans.
49
Fighting in Wales
Anti-Roman British fighters continued their resistance
in the hills of Wales, an easier location to defend than the lowlands of the
South.
Londinium founded by the Romans
Londinium (London) was founded by the Romans on the
site of an ancient ford over the River Thames. The location of the original
settlement is uncertain. London took over from Colchester as the capital of the
Roman Empire in Britain. The town was burnt to the ground during the
rebellion by Queen Boadicea (also known by the Latin name of Boudicca) in 61AD.
Defeat of Caractacus
Caractacus, leader of the Catuvelauni tribe and head
of the anti-Roman fighters, faced Roman governor Ostorious Scapula in battle.
The British defenders clashed with the Roman army near the Welsh border at
Shropshire. Caractacus was pushed back and his forces defeated. He evaded
Scapula and escaped into land held by the Brigantes tribe in the North of
Britain. He pleaded Cartimandua, the Queen of the Brigantes, to join his cause
but she was tied by a Client King deal (see 47AD). She handed Caractacus over
to the Romans. Caractacus and his family were taken to Rome the following year.
Emperor Claudius was moved by his prisoner's courage and civil manner.
Caractacus was pardoned and allowed to live the rest of his life with his
family in Italy.
51
Caractacus in Rome
Following the defeat of Caratacus by the Romans in
50AD, the British resistance leader was taken prisoner by the Romans when he
sought aid from Cartimandua, the Queen of the Brigantes, in the North of
Britain. Cartimandua had entered a Client King deal (see 47AD) with the Romans
and handed over Caratacus to her allies.
Caractacus and his family were taken to Rome. Emperor
Claudius was moved by his prisoner's courage and civil manner. He pardoned Caractacus
who was allowed to live the rest of his life with his family in Italy.
Boadicea battles the Romans
Queen Boadicea (also known by the Latin name of
Boudicca) was married to Prasutagus, King of the Iceni tribe, Norfolk, East
Anglia. She took control of Iceni affairs when her husband died. Prasutagas
bequeathed his kingdom to be split between his wife, daughters and the Romans.
The Romans ignored Prasutagas' wishes and invaded the
Iceni kingdom. Boadicea organised a rebellion against the Romans. She led more
than 100,000 tribespeople from across the South to take, the then Roman
capital, Colchester (Camulodunum) and the towns of London (Londinium) and St
Albans (Verulamium). More than 70,000 Romans were killed during her campaign.
The Romans eventually overwhelmed her army and she was captured. She died
shortly after. The two main versions of her death are that she either poisoned
herself to stop the Romans having the satisfaction of punishing her or that she
died from disease while in prison.
The provinces became stable under Roman control.
Sacred grove turned into leisure facility
The Romans developed a series of baths and a temple at
Aquae Sulis (now the city of Bath). The system was developed on natural hot
springs which had been a gathering point for druids before the Romans arrived.
The spring, which was surrounded by an oak tree grove, was considered sacred by
the British druids. It was believed to be the gateway to the underworld and was
used a place of worship to the goddess Sul. When the Romans arrived in 43AD
they evicted the British inhabitants and began to use the springs as a place
for relaxation and healing.
To expand the site, a reservoir was built around the
springs and a series of baths was established. The Great Bath measures 24
metres (80 ft)long by 12 metres(40 ft) wide and 1.5 metres (five ft) deep. It
was fed by a lead conduit using gravity flow and decorated with mosaic
pavements. After the Romans left Britain at the start of the fifth century
(from about 401) the baths fell into ruin.
In the eighteenth century, the Georgians revived the
concept of baths for healing and began to build facilities on the site of the
Spring. In 1790, work on the foundations of the Great Pump Room revealed much
of the original Roman construction which was well preserved. Today the Roman
baths are still functioning and open to visitors.
Foundation of York
A Roman fortress was established at York (Eboracum).
The Roman army selected the valley as a base for the northern forces. Initially
chosen as a base for the 9th legion, the site soon expanded to include public
housing, temples and baths.
In 211, the thriving city of York became the capital
of Britannia Inferior, the northern province of the Roman Empire in Britain.
The name Eboracum means "place where the yew
trees grow".
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Work began on a luxurious Roman Palace at Fishbourne,
near Chichester. Fishbourne was a military base for the invading Romans in
43AD. The origins of the Palace are unclear although the main theory is
Togidubnus, King of the Atrebates tribe, was responsible for its construction.
Togidubnus was a Client King (see 47AD) and his kingdom was expanded following
the Roman settlement in the area.
Following the death of Togidubnus (at some point
between 75 and 80AD) his lands came under Roman control. Fisbourne Palace was a
large building of about 100 rooms decorated with fine Roman mosaics and rich
ornamentation. It was inhabited and developed until 280AD when it was gutted by
fire and fell into disuse.
Julius Agricola
Julius Agricola was appointed Governor of Britain. He
was an accomplished Roman general and began a campaign to expand the Roman
Empire in Britain. He prepared to lead assaults on anti-Roman fighters in Wales
and Scotland.
Julius Agricola
Julius Agricola was appointed Governor of Britain. He
was an accomplished Roman general and began a campaign to expand the Roman
Empire in Britain. He prepared to lead assaults on anti-Roman fighters in Wales
and Scotland.
Conquest of Britain - Wales
The Roman Governor of Britain, Julius Agricola, began
attacks on anti-Roman strongholds. Agricola launched an assualt on
Anglesey, Wales. He crossed the Menai Strait to massacre the locals, known to
the Romans as Druids. The Welsh resistance fighters met the invading Romans at
the coast but were unable to defend themselves from the vicious Roman
onslaught. The area was subdued and brought under Roman control.
Agricola then turned his attention northwards to
Scotland where he ordered an attack the following year.
Conquest of Britain - Scottish border
The Roman Governor of Britain, Julius Agricola, turned
his attention northwards following his successful Welsh campaign the year
before. He set about building a line of military fortifications running from
the Forth to the Clyde. The military line was in place by 81AD and many of the
tribes in the area were brought under Roman control.
Agricola continued to press north in a bid to gain
control of the land and in particular to subdue the Caledonians in the
highlands. His efforts lasted until 84AD when the Romans finally overwhelmed
resistance at the borders at the bloody Battle of Mons Graupius. However, the
Romans failed to gain complete domination in the North and anti-Roman feeling
remained high.
Conquest of Britain - fighting continues
The Roman Governor of Britain, Julius Agricola,
continued his campaign to subdue the tribes in the North. The tribes of
Scotland were united behind the leader
of the Caledonians, Calgacus (also known by the Gaelic version Calach). The
clans of the Highlands refused to submit to the Romans and Agricola was held at
bay.
A defensive Roman border was built along the Tyne to
Solway line, from Carlisle to Corbridge, with fortresses placed at roughly
every 15 miles along the route. It is known as the Stanegate Frontier (a name
of Medieval origin) and was based on a much earlier road. The path was used as
a basis for Hadrian's Wall which was constructed in 122.
Forth to Clyde fortifications
A line of Roman forts running from the Forth to the
Clyde was completed as part of the campaign by Julius Agricola, Governor of
Britain, to defeat resistance in the North. The forts were built from west to
east along a distance of about 40 miles. The Forth to Clyde line pushed the
Roman defensive line about 100 miles further north than the Stanegate Frontier
which was built the year before.
The Roman Empire was now spread throughout most of
Britain - from the South through Wales and to the borders of Scotland.
Battle of Mons Grapius
The Caledonian leader Calgacus led an army of Pict
fighters into battle against the invading Romans. The Pict forces numbered
about 30,000 strong, comprised of men drawn from Calgaus' Caledonian tribe and
fighters from other tribes in Scotland united by their dislike for the Romans.
The battle was fought at Mons Grapius. The exact location is uncertain,
although historians place it in the Grampian Mountains.
Roman Governor of Britain, Julius Agricola, led about
20,000 men into battle. The Romans beat into the Pict line of attack causing
heavy damage. According to Agricola's official biographer (his son-in-law
Tacitus), more than 10,000 of Calgacus' fighters were killed before the
remaining force retreated while less than 400 Romans died in the battle.
The Roman victory consolidated their position in the
lowlands. However, pressure elsewhere in the Empire led to the withdrawal of
Roman troops from the expensive offensive in Scotland and Agricola was recalled
to Rome. A defensive line was established further south at the Cheviots near
the border.
Roman consolidation plans
Sallustius Lucullus was appointed to the post of Roman
Governor of Britain following the recall to Rome of his predecessor, Julius
Agricola. He faced the challenge of consolidating the rapid land gains achieved
by Agricola.
Withdrawals of troops to reinforce other parts of the
Empire hampered his ability to retain control of territory in Britain. About
one third of the territory held by the Romans in Britain returned to the hands
of the British inhabitants during his governorship. Lucullus stayed in post
until sometime between 90 to 96. Records are unclear, possibly because he
gained no major glory for the Roman Empire.
Roman retreat
The Roman Emperor Domitian withdrew the Second
Assistant Legion from Britain for deployment elsewhere. Roman Governor of
Britain Sallustius Lucullus was left without sufficient force to hold the
Highlands of Scotland. The Roman army in Britain reinforced at Chester (Deva).
Forts were also built at the towns of York (Eboracum) and Isca Silurium
(Caerleon) to act as defence bases in the north. All three key bases were more
than military fortresses; they became vibrant Roman townships with homes, baths
and amphitheatres.
Stanegate Frontier - edge of an Empire
The Roman withdrawal of troops led to a retreat from
the north of Scotland. The Roman northern frontier in Britain no longer
stretched into the Highlands. It stopped at the Stanegate Frontier, a string of
Roman defences established along the Tyne to Solway line in 80.
Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain
Hadrian became Emperor of Rome in 117. His reign was a
time of Roman consolidation and he travelled across his Empire to gain a better
understanding of the needs of different regions. He planned a visit to Britain
to learn first hand about the problems associated with Roman government on the
island and to consider how best to fortify the northern borders.
Roman Governor of Britain, Quintus Pompeius Falco,
made the preparations for the Emperor's arrival. The northern frontier of Roman
territory in Britain was inspected and preliminary plans were made for what
became Hadrian's Wall. The Wall was established to mark the edge of Roman
territory and stop invaders from the North raiding Roman Britain. Hadrian
oversaw the initial design and construction from 122. The Wall spanned more
than 70 miles along the Tyne to Solway line and took six years to build.
Hadrian's Wall
Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a
wall marking the frontier of Roman territory in Britain. He decided against
pushing north to the 42 mile-long Forth to Clyde isthmus held by Agricola in 81
and subsequently lost during the retreat from Scotland. Instead, he chose the
Tyne to Solway line, spanning a distance of more than 70 miles. The choice
echoed the Stanegate Frontier built in 80 which provided a Roman defensive
barrier for the North. Work began the following year.
Hadrian's Wall
The Roman Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain saw the
consolidation of the Roman presence in the North. He oversaw the construction
of one of the most impressive engineering projects of the Roman era - a
fortified wall spanning the country along the Tyne to Solway line. Hadrian's
Wall ran for 73 miles and took six years to build. The Wall was established to
mark the edge of Roman territory and stop tribes from the North raiding Roman
Britain.
The building work consisted of a five metre high wall
with a defensive ditch on the north side. Guardhouses, called mile castles,
were placed at every mile along the fortification and guard turrets, from which
soldiers could view the land, were placed between each of these. Sixteen major
forts were also built on the wall and were designed to allow Roman soldiers
easy access to land on the north side.
It was difficult to defend the entire wall at all
times and there is evidence many of the northern Picts regularly attacked the
Roman line, apparently viewing the obstacle as a challenge to be overcome. By
383, the Romans were thinly spread along the northern border and could not
prevent a series of serious breaches. The wall was abandoned by the Romans in
the same year.
The wall was designed to last. Sections of the stone
ramparts are still visible and attract more than 1.25 million visitors a year.
Death of Emperor Hadrian
The Roman Emperor Hadrian died. His legacy was
Hadrian's Wall, a major construction spanning Britain along the Tyne to Solway
line. The Wall was built from 122 to 128. Improvements were made to the
fortification until the time of Hadrian's death. His successor, his adopted son
Antonius Pius, did not continue building along the Tyne to Solway line.
Instead, he prepared an offensive north of the Wall with the aim of stopping
raids by northern tribes into Roman Britain.
Wall of Antonius
Roman Emperor Antonius Pius pushed the frontier of
Roman Britain northwards. He ordered the construction of an earthwork about 100
miles north of Hadrian's
Wall. The new frontier spanned the country from the Forth to Clyde and took
three years to complete.
The work was undertaken by the Roman Governor of
Britain Lollius Urbicus and called the Wall of Antonine in honour of the Roman
Emperor. It was designed to prevent raiders from the north attacking Roman
Britain. The length of the Wall of Antonine was about half that of Hadrian's
Wall and considered easier to defend. The boundary was set along the path of
the defensive Roman line of fortresses established by Governor Agricola in 80
and abandoned with the Roman retreat from Scotland.
The border did not prevent attacks from nearby tribes,
including the Brigantes. Hostilities grew from about 155 and the wall was
eventually breached beyond repair. The Forth to Clyde line was abandoned and
the Romans fell back to Hadrian's Wall by about 165.
Romans withdraw from the North
Clodius Albinus, the Roman Governor of Britain since
191, became involved in a power struggle for the title of Emperor. A dispute
was raging about who should take control of the Empire. Albinus gathered
support to lay a claim. One of the other contenders, Septimius Severus,
approached Albinus and offered him influence in exchange for support. He gave
Albinus the title Caesar, a traditional way of showing intent for who should
succeed the Emperor after his death. Albinus accepted the title. He stayed in
Britain and Severus went on to become Emperor.
By this year, it was clear the Emperor was not going
to honour his promise of power to Albinus. Instead he announced his son,
Caracalla, as heir by declaring him Caesar in place of Albinus.
Albinus raised an army and left Britain to challenge
Severus. He established a base in Lyon, France, from where he oversaw a summer
campaign against Severus. The fighting was bloody and culminated in a battle on
February 19 197. Albinus did not survive, one version states of events that he
committed suicide following defeat on the battlefield.
The border of Scotland was left vulnerable to attack
when the conflict drew Albinus and his army away from Britain. Tribes from the
north took advantage to make regular incursions into Roman Britain.
Britain split in two
The newly appointed Roman Emperor, Septimius Severus,
laid down plans for the division of Britain. He proposed the country should be
split in two with the South forming Britannia Superior and the North forming
Britannia Inferior. It was Roman policy to name provinces based on their
distance from Rome, with the nearer location gaining the higher title.
The proposed division was a method of limiting the
amount of military might any one Governor could gather in Britain. Severus
planned for the South to hold most of the Roman Army in Britain at bases around
London with a smaller force in the North at York.
Severus did not implement his plan which was later
brought into force by his son Emperor Caracalla in 211.
Trouble in the north
The conflict between Roman Governor of Britain Clodius
Albinus and Emperor Severus from 193 to 197 led to the Northern border of Roman
Britain being weakened. It was especially vulnerable when Albinus withdrew
troops to support his war effort on the continent in 196 and 197. Tribes on the
North side of Hadrian's Wall made regular incursions into Roman Britain. The
Wall was occupied by far less Roman troops than could man an effective defence
and was badly damaged during the raids.
Following the death of Albinus, Virius Lupus was
appointed Roman Governor of Britain. He struggled to quell the dissatisfaction
of the British tribes on the border and repel attackers.
Emperor Severus arrives in Britain
The Caledonians and other tribes north of Hadrian's
Wall were gaining ground against the Roman forces. The number of attacks by the
northern tribes was increasing and the Romans faced the serious threat of a
concerted rebellion against their stronghold.
Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons, Caracalla and
Geta, arrived in Britain. Like many of his predecessors, Severus attempted to
calm the situation on the northern border of Roman Britain. He led his army
northwards and advanced into Caledonian territory. The Romans caused damage to
the land but failed to win any decisive victories over the people north of the
border.
Severus retreated to Hadrian's Wall which he
reinforced both structurally and with additional soldiers. The Wall once again
became the northern border for Roman Britain. Severus planned to continue his
campaign in the north but died in 211 before his mission was completed. Roman
forays into Scotland ended when Severus died and his sons returned to Rome.
Death of Emperor Severus
Roman Emperor Severus died at York (Eboracum) on
February 4, he was aged about 65. He arrived in Britain in 208 and ran a
campaign to subdue rebellion in the North, a mission which died with him. He
was survived by his sons, Caracalla and Geta, who returned to Rome as joint
Emperors. By December, Caracalla had arranged the murder of his younger brother
and took the title of Emperor for himself.
Britain divided
Emperor Caracalla carried out his father's vision for
a divided Britain (devised in 197). The country was split in two with the South
forming Britannia Superior and the North forming Britannia Inferior. It was
Roman policy to name provinces based on their distance from Rome, with the nearer
location gaining the higher title. The division, which was effective by 216,
was a method of limiting the amount of military power any one Governor could
gather in Britain. The southern province housed most of the Roman Army at bases
around London. Britannia Inferior was managed by a smaller Roman force based at
York, the Northern Province capital.
The political situation across southern Roman Britain
was stable and a period of relative calm began. In the North, attacks continued
on Hadrian's Wall but the Romans held the border.
Gallic Empire
The Roman General and Governor of Gaul, Marcus
Postumus, rebelled against the Empire. He was disappointed by a lack of support
from the Emperor to help tackle "barbarian raiders". He set up a
small independent Gallic Empire, including Gaul and Britain, to protect the
assets the Romans had laid claim to. Posthumus was killed in 268, his Empire
survived him under new leadership. It was, surrendered back to the Roman
Emperor Lucius Aurelian in 274 and Britain became part of the Roman Empire
again.
Saxon raiders
The Saxons, a tribe of Germans from between the rivers
Elbe and Weser, carried out persistent attacks on the east coast of Britain.
Roman Emperor Maximian appointed experienced soldier Carausius to the new role
of the 'Count of the Saxon Shore' to tackle the problem. Carausius was given
the task of defending the coast from Saxon attack.
Saxon Shore Forts
The Count of the Saxon Shore, Carausius, successfully
repelled Anglo Saxon raiders from the British coast. Carausius, a powerful man
in charge of the Roman navy in Britain, rebelled against the Roman Empire. He
took
control of Britain and North Gaul and declared himself Emperor of Britain. He
defended the British coast from all attack with a defensive line known as the
Saxon Shore Forts. Carausius held the territories until he was killed by former
ally Allectus in 293. Allectus took the title of Emperor of Britain and ruled
until Britain was retaken by Emperor Constantius in 296.
Carausius - Emperor of Britain
Carausius rebelled against the Roman Empire and took
control of Britain and North Gaul in 288. He managed to retain control of the
British shore using with a defensive line known as the Saxon Shore Forts.
Emperor Maximian chose to recognise Caurausius' claim on Britain rather than
mount a campaign to take the territory from him by force. Carausius held
Britain until he was killed by former ally, Allectus, in 293. Allectus claimed
power and ruled until Britain was retaken for Rome by Caesar Constantius
Chlorus in 296.
Picts and Romans
In Scotland, the Caledonians (or Picts as they were
also known) crossed the Roman walls in the North and laid waste to large areas
of land. The Romans were unable to control the plundering and partially
abandoned the defensive earthworks and fortifications.
Scots invasion from Northern Ireland
Britain was also under attack by the Scots (meaning
'the tattooed men'), a tribe from Northern Ireland. After fierce fighting, the
Scots settled along the coastal strip from the River Clyde to the River Severn.
Carausius killed
Caesar Constantius Chlorus launched an attack on North
Gaul, land held by self proclaimed Emperor of Britain Carausius. (Caurausius
rebelled against the Roman Empire and took control of Britain and North Gaul in
288, Rome reluctantly acknowledged his claim in 290.)
Carausius was forced to withdraw his troops from Gaul
and Constantius took control of the area for Rome. Following the defeat at
Boulogne, Carausius was killed by his former ally Allectus.
Allectus, who was a senior commander in the army of
Carausius, claimed the title of Emperor of Britain. He was killed in battle
three years later when Constanius arrived in Britain to recover the land for
the Roman Empire.
Invasion by Caesar Constantius Chlorus
Caesar Constantius Chlorus invaded Britain to recover
the country for the Roman Empire. He assembled two fleets, one under his
command and one led by his Prefect, Asclepiodotus. The Roman ships evaded the
British fleet in the Channel and landed on the south coast. Constanius marched
for London. Allectus, Emperor of Britain, gathered his forces to try to repel
the invaders. Allectus was defeated in battle and killed. Constantius continued
towards London and established his authority. Constantius set about rebuilding
the main Roman strongholds of London (Londinium), York (Eboracum) and St Albans
(Verulamium) and reinforcing the defensive Saxon Shore Forts.
British provinces
Back under Roman control, Britain was split into four
districts with administrators in charge of each province. Britannia Prima was
ruled from ruled from Cirencester (Corinium), it covered the west including
Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Wales. Maxima Caesariensis was ruled from London
(Londinium), it covered London and the south east coast. Britannia Secunda was
ruled from York (Eboracum), it covered Yorkshire and Lancashire. Flavia
Caesariensis was ruled from Lincoln (Lindum), it covered Lincolnshire, Norfolk
and the Midlands.
Christianity and St Alban
It is believed the Christian faith was introduced to
Britain by Roman soldiers and traders from Europe where the faith was gaining
followers. However, the Roman Empire operated a policy of persecution and
execution of known Christians. The practice was widespread and remained in
place until the conversion of Emperor Constantine I (who came to power in 306).
The martyrdom of St Alban is recognised as one of the
earliest references to Christianity in Britain. St Alban was born a pagan and
was converted to Christianity by a fugitive priest. Roman soldiers were
dispatched to arrest the priest and St Alban tried to prevent his mentor's
capture by disguising himself as the wanted man. St Alban was executed in the
place of the priest, who was also later caught and killed for his faith.
The martyrdom took place at Verulamium, Herefordshire,
which later became known as St Albans. A shrine to the saint stands in St
Alban's Abbey.
Emperor Constantius Chlorus
Constantius Chlorus, who invaded Britain in 296 to
recover the country for the Rome, was made Roman Emperor of the West. His
jurisdiction in the West gave him control of Britain. The East of the Empire
was ruled by Emperors Galerius and Daia.
Death of Emperor Constantius Chlorus
Emperor Constantius Chlorus was in the North of
Britain to try to prevent incursions by the Picts. (Constantius led the
invasion that retook Britain from the usurper Allectus in 296 and was made
Emperor of the West in 305.)
Chlorus died at York on July 25 during the campaign
against the Picts. His son, Constantine, was by his side. Constantine was
declared Emperor Constantine I of Rome in York before returning to the
continent. Constantine was the first Christian Emperor and he banned the
persecution of Christians which was widespread across the Roman Empire.
Roman Empire united
The Roman Empire, including Roman occupied Britain,
was united under Emperor Constantine I. The death of the Eastern Roman emperor Licinius
led to Constantine gaining overall control, ending years of division with
Emperors in the East and West.
Pagan Emperor
Flavius Claudius Julianus became Emperor Julian, ruler
of the combined Roman Empire. He was a pagan and attempted to revert the state
religion back to Paganism. Christianity had spread across the Empire after it
was made acceptable by Christian Emperor Constantius Chlorus (Emperor 305 to
306). Julian died in 363 and his successor, Jovian, was a Christian who
reinstated Christianity in the Empire.
In Britain, there was a revival of Paganism, the
religion of the Picts and the Scots. The move emboldened tribes people north of
the border of Scotland to rebel. A series of harsh attacks by Picts and
Caledonians against Roman soldiers defending Hadrian's Wall continued for
several years. The Romans held the border.
Death of Emperor Julian
Roman Emperor Julian died and was succeeded by Jovian.
Julian's efforts to reintroduce Paganism as the religion of the Roman Empire
died with him. Jovian was a Christian.
Saxon attacks
The Saxons, a confederation of tribes from Northern
Germany, began to attack Roman occupied Britain. This was the beginning of the
Migration Era of the German people (375 to 550). The influx began in earnest a
decade later when over crowding and lack of farming land in Germany led to many
tribes seeking new homes abroad. In the fifth century, Britain became a key
target for resettlement by the Germans.
Barbarian conspiracy
Attacks on Roman occupied Britain intensified.
Throughout the decade, the Romans in Britain were attacked and beaten by
offensives led by Saxon, Pict and Scot forces. The northern border was the main
target. Tribes of Picts and Scots crossed the border into Roman Britain and
devastated the land.
The matter was a serious concern to the Roman
leadership. When news of the incursions reached Rome, extra Roman legions,
commanded by experienced generals,
were assigned to defend the borders. The events surrounding the incursions and
the subsequent quelling of the disturbances in 369 by General Flavius
Theodosius
became known as the Barbarian conspiracy.
Roman authority restored
Prolonged attacks by Saxon, Pict and Scots invaders
caused concern for the Roman leadership in Britain throughout the 360s. Emperor
Valentinian was preoccupied with issues of succession and troubles in the East
of the Empire. By the end of the decade, Britain was under increasing attack
which could no longer be ignored. People were killed by the invaders.
Settlements and towns across Britain were looted and pillaged, with intense
activity on the northern borders. General Flavius Theodosius was sent to
Britain to quell the disturbances. He landed in Kent and spread his forces out
to tackle the small groups of invaders. The organised Roman fighting force was
able to regain control and Roman authority was re-established.
To try to prevent further attacks from Europe, a
series of fortified watch towers were built along the North East coast. The
watch towers stretched from Filey, Scarborough to Huntcliff near Saltburn. The
towers provided a means of communication between the Roman soldiers in the
area.
Scots and Picts
The Scots and Picts again caused the Roman Army
problems in Britain (following major incursions in the 360s). Raids on the
borders increased.
Magnus Maximus defeats Picts and Scots
Spanish-born Magnus Maximus was the military commander
of the Roman army in Britain. He gained experience in Britain when he served
under General Flavius Theodosius during the Roman reassertion of authority in
Britain of 369. He was then stationed in Africa before being promoted to head
the Roman Army in Britain in 380.
The Scots and the Picts were attacking at the Roman
borders with increasing vigour. Maximus led his army to victory against the
attacking forces and stopped the incursions. His troops were impressed by his
leadership and, the following year, he was proclaimed Emperor of Britain by his
soldiers. With the support of his army, he crossed to Gaul to challenge Emperor
Gratian. Maximus was victorious and went on to take control of Britain, Gaul,
Spain and parts of
Africa.
Emperor Maximus
Magnus Maximus, the military commander of the Roman
army in Britain, was proclaimed Emperor of Britain by his troops in an act of
rebellion against Emperor Gratian in Rome. Maximus travelled to Gaul with his
British army and challenged Gratian. Maximus was victorious and Gratian was
killed. Maximus went on to take control of Britain, Gaul, Spain and provinces
in Africa before he was executed in 388.
Hadrian's Wall overrun
The withdrawal of Roman soldiers from Britain to
support Maximus in Europe left the borders of Roman Britain vulnerable to
attack. The northern border of Roman Britain was marked by Hadrian's Wall
(built in 122). The wall spanned 73 miles and the depleted Roman army could not
maintain effective defence along the entire border. The Romans were overwhelmed
by attacks from the Picts and the Scots which resulted in series of serious
breaches along the wall. The Romans could not hold the wall and it was
abandoned.
Death of Maximus
Magnus Maximus was killed as he tried to take control
of all Italy and become Roman Emperor. Maximus was military commander of the
Roman army in Britain from
380 to 383. He was proclaimed Emperor of Britain by his troops in 383. He went
on to take control of Britain, Gaul, Spain and provinces in Africa.
Maximus occupied Rome before he was defeated in battle
by Theodosius and Valentinian. He was executed at Aquileia in August. The
Empire was consolidated under the control of Theodosius. Following the death of
Maximus, many of troops stayed in Italy instead of returning to Britain. The
resettlement, known as the First Migration, dramatically reduced the number of
soldiers left to defend Britain from attack.
Military control in Britain
The Roman General Stilicho, commander of all Roman
troops and regent during the Emperor's minority, addressed the problem of
defence in Britain. The Roman military presence in Britain was severely reduced
by the rebellion of Magnus Maximus in 383, leaving Britain vulnerable to
attack. Stilicho began the transference of military command away from Roman
control into the hands of British chieftains.
Roman Britain under attack
Britain was under attack by Pict, Irish and Saxon
tribes. The Roman army was struggling to defend its borders. Roman General
Stilicho, regent for the Roman
Empire, travelled to Britain with additional troops to quell the disturbances.
This was the last time a major initiative was launched by the Romans to hold
British territory.
The Romans start to leave Britain
Roman General Stilicho was waging campaigns to defend
the Empire from incursions in Europe and Africa. Stilicho was regent for the
Roman Empire while Emperor Honorius was a minor. Stilicho decided to recall two
legions from Britain to support his efforts. The withdrawal of Roman troops led
to local tribes begin to resume control and mounting defences against Scot,
Pict and Saxon invaders
Emperor Constantine III of Britain
The Romans living in Britain were concerned about the
lack of support from Rome as the country came increasingly under attack from
Pict, Saxon and Scot forces. They rebelled against Emperor Honorius and
proclaimed Constantine as Emperor instead. Constantine III, as he became,
accepted authority in Britain and gained support in Spain and the Rhine as he
waged a campaign on the continent. He lost favour in Britain during his absence
and was no longer given credence as Emperor by the British people. He lost
control of Britain in 409 and was killed in Italy 411.
Constantine's departure from England again weakened
the Roman hold on the country and made defence even more difficult.
British independence begins
Roman influence in Britain was waning. The military
force needed to repel attacks by the Picts, Saxons and Scots was withdrawn by
Roman Emperor Honorius. The Roman army was deployed to defend Rome from attack
by the Visigoths and not to aid the people in Britain.
Across Britain, people ignored Roman rules and laws to
defend their homes from the invaders by any means possible. The administrative
guidance of Roman officials was mainly ignored.
End of an era
Roman Emperor Honorius was forced to defend his
homelands from attack by the Visigoths. On August 24, Rome was attacked and
plundered by Alaric of the Visigoths and his barbarian followers. The incident
sent shockwaves throughout the Empire. Honorius announced a total withdrawal of
Roman forces from Britain to bolster his defences in Italy.
The Picts, Scots and Saxons took advantage of the
situation to increase their attacks on Britain. The people of Britain made pleas
for assistance to Rome, known as "the groans of the Britons". Rome
was busy with its own affairs and no aid was forthcoming. The Roman occupation
of Britain was officially over.
The impact of the Roman occupation, which began with
the invasion of 43, was far reaching. For hundreds of years Roman culture,
technology and fortunes had major influence on Britain. However, immediately
after the evacuation of troops many major Roman houses and villas were
destroyed and countless treasures lost forever.
Christianity comes to Scotland
Pope Celestine I sent Palladius (a Roman writer) as
his envoy to preach Christianity to the Scots.
Saxon attacks force Britains to beg for help
The Saxon attacks continued unabated forcing the
Britains to beg the Romans for help. When the Romans refused to help, the
Britains went overseas to the Angles to negotiate aid.
Where did the Angles and Saxons come from?
Artefacts found at settlements all along the North Sea
coast, from Denmark and from the northern coasts of Germany, the Netherlands,
and France suggest that this is the most likely area.
An eighth-century Northumbrian monk called Bede wrote
an Ecclesiastical History of the English People in 731 and explained the
origins of the Anglo Saxons like this:
"They came from three most powerful Germanic
tribes, the Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes. Of Jutish origin are the people
of Kent and of the Isle of Wight, and the part of the kingdom of Wessex
opposite the Isle of Wight, still called the nation of the Jutes. From the
Saxon land, that is the place which is now called Old Saxony, came the East
Saxons, the South Saxons, and the West Saxons. From the Anglian land, that is
the place between the realms of the Jutes and the Saxons which is called
Angulus, and remains deserted to this day, came the East Angles, the Middle
Angles, the Mercians, and all the Northumbrian peoples, that is, those who
dwell north of the river Humber, as well as other Anglian peoples".
(Ecclesiastical History, i.15).
The start of the Kingdom of Kent
Kent was ruled in AD449 by a British chief called
Vortigern. He was constantly harassed by marauding Picts and Scots so sought
help from the Jutes.
The Jutes were originally from the North of Jutland.
Despite having employed the Jutes to defend Kent,
Vortigern found himself overpowered and his people enslaved by them.
The treacherous Jutes established a line of Kentish
Kings that can be traced to this day.
Anglo Saxon invasions
The end of Roman Britain began in 450. The Roman government
in Britain collapsed and the Romans left the country. Germanic peoples landed
and spread to take over major land areas instead. The Anglo Saxons had arrived.
The start of the Kingdom of Sussex
A powerful Saxon chief called Ella landed near the
great Roman fortress of Anderida (Pevensey) in Sussex.
After a long blockade, Ella captured the fortress and
killed everyone hiding inside.
Ella then made Anderida his home and proclaimed
himself King of Sussex
The start of the Kingdom of Wessex
A Saxon warlord called Cerdic landed his small army on
the shores of Southampton Water. He moved inland and, having captured the town
of Winchester, founded the Kingdom of Wessex.
Bernicia settled by Angles
The start of the Kingdom of Essex
A Saxon attack force landed on the beaches north of
the Thames and overran the low lying country and marshland between London and
St Albans. They formed the Kingdom of Essex.
This was the last Saxon group to settle in Britain.
Death of Cerdic
Cerdic, King of the West Saxons died and was succeeded
by Cynric.
The start of the Kingdom of Northumbria
Northumbria (North of the Humber land) was colonised
by the Angles and comprised the twin Kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira.
Death of Cynric
Cynric was succeeded by his son Ceawlin who
subsequently drove the Britons from Wessex.
St Columba founds the Monastery at Iona
St Columba, the Irish monk credited with bringing
enduring Christianity to the Scots, founded the monastery on the island of Iona
that was to become the home of Celtic Christianity in Scotland.
Exploration of the North Atlantic
Explorers from Northern Scotland went as far as
Iceland in their quest to find new lands overseas. This whole period
(550-600)was one of discovery and exploration was not limited to a single year.
Aiden King of Scots
Aiden was anointed King of Dal Riada (Scotland) by
Columba
The start of the Kingdom of East Anglia
Two groups of Angles called, unsurprisingly, The North
Folk and The South Folk founded the Kingdom of East Anglia. They were also
responsible for naming Norfolk and Suffolk.
Birth of Edwin
Edwin, later to become King of Northumbria was born.
The start of the Kingdom of Mercia
Mercia, in central England, was founded by the Angles.
(The name Mercia means: 'March Land' or 'Land of the
Border' which is a reference to the Welsh Marches or border country between
England and Wales).
Ceawlin defeated
Ceawlin was defeated in battle at Adam's Grave. He was
succeeded by Hussa, King of Bernicia.
Death of Columba on Iona
St Augustine's mission
When St Augustine (a Roman monk) came to England in
AD597 he converted Ethelbert, King of Kent, to Christianity.
Death of St Augustine
Ethelfrith defeats the Welsh
Chester was the scene of a tremendous battle in AD607.
Ethelfrith, King of Northumbria, finally defeated the Welsh and drove them back
over the border into Wales.
Welsh people are the true survivors of the ancient
Britons.
'Welsh' is an early English word meaning foreigner or
stranger. The Welsh referred to themselves as Kymry (or comrades).
Anglo Saxon rule
The Anglo Saxons conquered all of Britain. An advance
through the Irish Sea completed their invasion. The land was split into more
than 30 kingdoms stretching from Cornwall up to Northumbria.
Northumbrian Supremacy
When Edwin, King of Northumbria, conquered the whole
of England in AD617 he became 'Bretwalda' or Supreme Overlord.
King Edwin married a Christian princess called
Ethelburger, daughter of King Ethelbert of Kent. Ethelburger converted Edwin to
Christianity.
Ireland invaded by Norsemen
624/625 Sutton Hoo Burial
Raedwald, King of East Anglia was buried at Sutton
Hoo.
Although unproven, Raedwald was most likely buried
inside a ship which was discovered at the site by archaeologists in 1939.
Amongst the artefacts was found the magnificent Sutton Hoo Helmet, now on
display at the British Museum.
Edinburgh founded by Edwin, King of Northumbria
Paulinus, a Roman missionary, arrived in Northumbria
Edwin, King of Northumbria was baptised by Paulinus.
King Edwin killed
King Edwin, King of Northumberland was finally
defeated and killed in battle near Doncaster by a combined force of Welsh and
Mercian soldiers led by King Penda of Mercia.
Birth of St Wilfrid
Birth of St. Cuthbert
636
Lindisfarn community founded by Bishop Aiden
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Earliest example of Celtic art
The Book of Durrow was completed in AD 650 and is the
earliest known example of Celtic art.
651
St.Cuhberth becomes a monk
Apparently following a divine vision experienced after
the death of Bishop Aiden, young St.Cuthbert became a Christian monk at the monastery
in Melrose, circa AD651
Northumbrians beat Mercians at Battle of Winwaed
Death of King Penda
Mercia was a heathen kingdom until AD655 when King
Penda died. It then gradually became Christian
Wilfrid made Bishop of York
Foundation of monastery at Canterbury
Augustinian monks build the first monastery at
Canterbury.
Plague
An outbreak of plague runs rife across Britain but is
relatively short lived.
Roman Catholicism adopted by the Synod of Whitby
Cuthbert becomes Prior of Lindisfarne.
Chertsey Abbey
Chertsey Abbey was founded in Surrey. The Benedictine
abbey was of ecclesiastical importance for almost 1,000 years until it was
dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537.
The first abbot, Erconwald, was later the Bishop of
London.
The abbey was the resting place of Henry VI who died
in 1471 and was buried in the Lady Chapel. In 1484 his remains were removed and
taken to Windsor by Henry VII.
Medieval tiles found at the abbey are renowned as some
of the finest examples of medieval ceramics. They are held at the British
Museum and Chertsey Museum.
667
Establishment of the English Church
Theodor of Tarsus, a Greek monk, came to England and
was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. He established the English church and
organised it into a cohesive body
Death of King Oswui
Succeeded by King Egfrith of Northumbria.
First Synod of Church of England at Hertford
Birth of Bede
The Venerable Bede was a scholar, theologian and
historian.
Cuthbert made Bishop of Lindisfarne
First glass windows in English Churches
A 'Fiery' comet appears in the sky over Britain
For three months a comet could be seen with the naked
eye over Britain. It was believed by many to herald all kinds of disaster.
Bede ordained at Jarrow
King Egfrith defeated at Nectansmere
Picts and Scots slaughtered Egfrith, King of
Northumbria, at a place called Nectansmere. After his death the Kingdom of
Northumbria began to decline in power and the supremacy eventually passed to
the Kings of Mercia.
Christianity comes to Sussex
The last pagan Kingdom in Britain is finally converted
to Christianity.
Death of St. Cuthbert
Death of last Roman Archbishop, Theodorus
Archbishop Brihtwold becomes first English Archbishop
of Canterbury
Lindisfarne Gospels
One of the earliest examples of illuminated manuscript
was completed at Lindisfarne in AD698.
First translation of Psalms into Anglo-Saxon
Death of King Whitred of Kent
Succeeded by Ethelbert II
The Venerable Bede
The Venerable Bede, a monk from Jarrow-on-the-Tyne,
completed his "Ecclesiastical History of the Angles" in AD 731. He
died in AD 735.
Death of Bede
York burned
Death of St. Boniface
Offa the Mighty becomes King of Mercia
Offa the Mighty became King of Mercia in AD757 and
ruled over Mercia, East Anglia, Essex and Kent.
He went on to create an enormous Dyke or earthworks to
defend Mercia from the Welsh.
Completion of Offa's Dyke
Offa's dyke (a huge earthwork) stretched from the
River Dee to the River Wye.
Danes begin raiding England
The Danes (or Northmen) were a branch of the powerful Teutonic
race which settled in the countries now called Norway and Sweden and the
islands of Denmark.
Towards the end of the eighth century they became 'sea
rovers' and ravaged the coasts of nearby countries, sometimes sailing up rivers
and going far inland to raid great religious houses, monasteries and towns.
796
Death of King Offa
When King Offa died in AD796, the supremacy passed
from Mercia to Wessex