Ancient Britain and Anglo-Saxon England

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the role of druids in ancient Celtic culture?

  • They acted as political leaders.
  • They served as high-ranking priests. (correct)
  • They were skilled warriors in the tribes.
  • They were merchants trading with Romans.

Which famous figure led an uprising against Roman rule in Britain?

  • Alfred the Great
  • Hadrian
  • Julius Caesar
  • Queen Boudica (correct)

What was a notable feature of Roman towns in Britain?

  • Towns built entirely underground.
  • Circular layout with a central castle.
  • Synagogue as the main place of worship.
  • Grid-patterned streets and a central forum. (correct)

What significant infrastructure did Romans introduce to Britain?

<p>Wide, straight roads and water systems. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group continued to resist invasions after the Roman departure?

<p>Picts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age were children considered adults in Anglo-Saxon England?

<p>10 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What material were Anglo-Saxon houses primarily made of?

<p>Wood with thatched roofs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common remedy used for wounds in Anglo-Saxon England?

<p>Goose poop and yarrow (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Pagan beliefs in the Anglo-Saxon period?

<p>The divine nature of the material world (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who held the highest position in the Anglo-Saxon social hierarchy?

<p>Royal Family (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Anglo-Saxon law, what was ‘wergild’ used to determine?

<p>The monetary value of a life based on social rank (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred with the spread of Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons?

<p>Focus on moral and spiritual purity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the community play in the Anglo-Saxon justice system?

<p>Communities were responsible for enforcing laws and seeking justice (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common form of trial used in Anglo-Saxon justice if proof of innocence was lacking?

<p>Trial by ordeal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group in the Anglo-Saxon hierarchy had the least freedoms and was often tied to the land?

<p>Serfs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were 'hundreds' in Anglo-Saxon England?

<p>Administrative divisions for governance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Roman Invasion of Britain

The period when the Romans conquered Britain, lasting from 55 BC to 410 AD.

Queen Boudica

A British queen who led a rebellion against Roman rule.

Roman Legacy in Britain

The lasting impact of Roman rule, including infrastructure, towns, and law.

Hadrian's Wall

A defensive wall built by the Romans in Roman Britain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon England

The period after the Romans left, ruled by Anglo-Saxon tribes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon daily life

Daily tasks and routines of the Anglo-Saxons, including collecting resources, tending animals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Celtic Religion

The ancient religion of the Britons, emphasizing nature worship and druids.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Roman Towns

Towns built by the Romans with a grid layout and central forum.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon Pagan worldview

Pagans saw the world as joyful and pleasurable, focused on nature and material possessions. Nature was revered, and fantastical creatures were also important.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon Christian worldview

Christians saw the world as sinful. Their focus was on moral and spiritual purity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon social hierarchy

Anglo-Saxon society had distinct classes: Royal Family, Major Nobility (earls), Minor Nobility, Freemen, and Serfs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wergild

The value of a person's life, assigned based on social class. Nobles had the highest value.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Community-driven justice

Anglo-Saxon communities were responsible for maintaining law and order. Families of victims often sought compensation or justice.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Trial by ordeal

A religious trial where innocence was determined by tests like handling hot iron.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anglo-Saxon Administrative divisions

England was divided into hundreds, further divided into tithings. Tithings consisted of 10 households.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Crimes and Punishments

Crimes like theft/murder were common with specific penalties for injuries. The community or the victim's family often enforced punishments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Ancient Britain: From Celtic Druids to Anglo-Saxon England

  • Early Inhabitants: Britons practiced an ancient Celtic religion, led by druids, deeply connected to nature.
  • Roman Invasion: Roman invasion began in 55 BC under Julius Caesar, lasting until 410 AD. They were the last region invaded and the first abandoned.
  • Boudica: Led a rebellion against Roman rule, becoming a symbol of British resistance.
  • Roman Legacy: Romans established the province of Britannia, built cities like London, Manchester, Colchester, Leicester, and York. Cities had grid layouts and central forums. They constructed roads and Hadrian's Wall for defense. Improved sanitation and hygiene systems.
  • Withdrawal of Roman Troops: In 410 AD, Roman troops left Britain to defend Italy, leaving the region vulnerable.

Anglo-Saxon Period

  • Post-Roman Settlements: Tribes like Scots, Angles, Saxons, Jutes settled in Britain. Native Picts resisted.
  • Anglo-Saxon Society: Small villages with wooden houses and thatched roofs.
  • Daily Life: Included tasks like lighting fires, animal care, wood and water collection.
  • Health and Remedies: Utilized goose poop and yarrow for wound treatment. Children considered adults from age 10, aiding household and village tasks.

Anglo-Saxon Beliefs and Values

  • Pagan Beliefs: Focused on joy, pleasure, and a reverence for nature, including the “Deer God.” Wondered about the unknown.
  • Christian Conversion: Christianity replaced pagan rituals, emphasizing moral and spiritual purity.

Anglo-Saxon Social Structure

  • Hierarchy: Included the Royal Family, earls (major nobility), minor nobility, freemen (skilled laborers), and serfs (tied to the land).

Anglo-Saxon Law and Order

  • Community Justice: Emphasis on collective responsibility. Victims/families pursued justice or compensation. God seen as the ultimate judge.
  • Wergild: Varying financial compensation values based on social standing (nobles had highest value).
  • Crimes and Punishments: Theft and murder common concerns, with specific fines or penalties assigned (lost tooth, damaged ear). Punishment involved the community.
  • Administrative Divisions: England divided into "hundreds" and "tithings" (10 households), with representatives discussing and preventing crime.
  • Religious Trials: Justice determined through trials by ordeal (e.g., holding hot iron, plunging hand into boiling water) if other proof of innocence was unavailable.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Celtic Creations
4 questions

Celtic Creations

SkilledInsight9642 avatar
SkilledInsight9642
Celtic FC Website Quiz
6 questions

Celtic FC Website Quiz

DiplomaticEnlightenment9744 avatar
DiplomaticEnlightenment9744
Celtic Origins of Halloween
10 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser