Early and Roman Britain Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the title given to Ethelred that signifies his reluctance to accept advice?

Ethelred the Unready (correct)

Ethelred the Peaceful

Ethelred the Strong

Ethelred the Brave

Which king is known for defending England against the Danes and is recognized as a champion of the English?

King Edgar

Ethelred the Unready

Alfred the Great (correct)

Edward the Confessor

What is the term used for the money Ethelred paid to the Danes to keep them from attacking?

Danefee

Danemoney

Dane tribute

Danegeld (correct)

Which of the following best describes King Edgar's reign?

Peaceful and harmonious Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did King Canute take regarding English law?

He maintained English laws for the English Signup and view all the answers

What was Edward the Confessor most interested in during his reign?

Building churches Signup and view all the answers

What did Ethelred do when the situation with the Danes became dire?

Fled to Normandy Signup and view all the answers

Which title reflects King Edgar's approach to governance?

The Peaceful King Signup and view all the answers

Who was considered the overlord of South Britain by Charlemagne?

King Offa Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Alfred the Great take to strengthen Wessex?

He invited scholars and writers to England. Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdom became dominant at the beginning of the 9th century in Britain?

Wessex Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the king of Wessex who defeated Mercia's troops?

Egbert Signup and view all the answers

Which two directions did Christianity arrive at Anglo-Saxon England from?

From the Celtic Church in the north and the Roman Catholic Church in the south Signup and view all the answers

Who was the monk in Rome surprised by the sight of English boys sold as slaves?

Bede Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gods was worshiped by the pagan Anglo-Saxons?

Woden Signup and view all the answers

What was the capital of Wessex that became the capital of Britain?

Winchester Signup and view all the answers

What dietary habits did most inland inhabitants of Britain have according to Julius Caesar?

They lived on milk and flesh. Signup and view all the answers

Which material did the Britons NOT use for building their houses?

Stone Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the Britons to flee when Julius Caesar first landed in Britain?

They feared the Roman cavalry. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Druids in British society?

They were priests and enchanters. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant achievement of the Romans in Britain during their conquest?

Building a line of forts between the rivers Clyde and Forth. Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to be the purpose of Stonehenge?

A temple for sun worship. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Britons use currency if they did not have coins?

They utilized metal rings for transactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which Roman Emperor sent an expedition to Britain in 43 A.D.?

Claudius Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Hadrian Wall built by Emperor Hadrian?

To protect against wild Caledonians. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the tribes of Britons is accurate?

They were divided into 20 to 40 tribes. Signup and view all the answers

What did many Britons learn from the Romans during their settlement?

Agricultural techniques and road-making. Signup and view all the answers

What primary activities did the Druids glorify?

War, feasting, and horsemanship. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Boadicea and what did she represent?

A queen who led a rebellion against the Romans. Signup and view all the answers

What prompted Julius Caesar to attack Britain?

To stop British support for the Gauls. Signup and view all the answers

What tragic decision did Boadicea make after losing to the Romans?

She killed herself to avoid capture. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Caractacus after he fought against the Romans?

He was captured and taken to Rome. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant contribution of Pope Gregory the Great to Britain?

He sent news of Christianity to Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary reasons the Danes initially returned to their homeland during the summer?

To escape the cold weather in Britain. Signup and view all the answers

Which battle is referred to as 'Alfred's year of battles'?

The Battle of Ashdown Signup and view all the answers

How did the Danes feel about the Christian religion?

They particularly hated and despised it. Signup and view all the answers

What notable title was given to Alfred the Great by the English?

Alfred the Truth-Teller Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the peace made after Alfred's battles against the Danes?

The Danes retired northward. Signup and view all the answers

Which regions did the Danes conquer before attacking Wessex?

Mercia and East Anglia Signup and view all the answers

What led to the Danes becoming more permanent residents on the British Isles by 855?

They wanted a place to live there during winter. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two chieftains that initially led the Anglo-Saxon tribes into Britain?

Hengist and Horsa Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Hengist's suggestion to grant land in Kent to the Saxon invaders?

The Saxons established a significant foothold in the region Signup and view all the answers

What method did Hengist use to betray the Britons during the peace feast?

He concealed weapons beneath the table Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the massacre of the Britons at the feast?

About 300 leading Romano-Celts were slaughtered Signup and view all the answers

Who emerged as the leader of the survivors after the massacre?

Ambrosius Signup and view all the answers

How did Ambrosius claim to have achieved victory in battles against the Saxons?

With God's help Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about Ambrosius in relation to King Arthur?

He was a historical inspiration for King Arthur Signup and view all the answers

In what time period did King Arthur allegedly lead the defense against the Saxons?

Late 5th and early 6th centuries AD Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Britain

First humans arrived in the British Isles during the Upper Palaeolithic period (40,000-10,000 years ago).
Permanent settlements were established in the Neolithic period (6,000 years ago).
Iberians (10,000-3,000 BCE) migrated from the Iberian Peninsula.
Beaker culture emerged around 2,500 BCE, introducing clay vessels, bronze, and iron tools.
Impressive constructions such as Silbury Hill (4000 years old) and Avebury stone circle (2,600-2,500 BCE) were built. Silbury Hill was the tallest man-made structure in Europe until the Middle Ages.
The Celts (800-700 BCE) arrived from the continent and spoke Brytonic and Goidelic languages.
The Belgae arrived around 75 BCE.
Julius Caesar (55 BCE) described the Celts and their customs.
First century CE Roman travelers like Pytheas, Ptolemy, Pliny the Elder, and Tacitus also documented life in Britannia.

Roman Britain

Romans arrived in 43 CE under Emperor Claudius.
Forts were constructed between the rivers Clyde and Forth.
Hadrian's Wall was built (84 AD) along the borders to control the southern part from the tribes
Britons fought against the Romans
Boadicea and Caractacus led Celtic resistance.
Romans established settlements and infrastructure.
Britons adopted Roman ways of life.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Anglo-Saxon invasions began in the 5th century (449 AD).
Tribes including Angles, Saxons, and Jutes migrated from the continent.
Hengist and Horsa led the initial invasion.
Anglo-Saxons gradually conquered much of Britain, establishing kingdoms (Heptarchy), including Northumbria, East Anglia, Wessex, Essex, Sussex, Kent, and Mercia
Conflict between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons continued for 150 years.
The Saxons, Angles and Jutes occupied most of the British Isles.
British leaders like Ambrosius fought back.
Alfred the Great (849-901) fought and defeated the Danes
In the 9th and 10th centuries, Anglo-Saxons established a political order, creating the Kingdom of England.

Danish Invasion

Danes migrated to Britain in the 9th century.
Alfred the Great resisted and established a kingdom in the south
King Edgar kept peace
Ethelred the Unready faced further Danish attacks.
Ethelred bought peace through tribute payments.
Canute conquered England.

Late Anglo-Saxon Period

Edward the Confessor (1042-1066 CE) became king
Power struggle between different factions
Edward promised the throne to William of Normandy.
William of Normandy claimed the English throne after Edward's death and invaded in 1066.

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Description

Explore the rich history of Early Britain and the Roman period, encompassing the arrival of the first humans, the establishment of settlements, and the Roman conquest. This quiz covers significant cultures and events that shaped Britain before and during Roman rule.