Prehistoric and Roman Britain

The period in history before written records, marked by the presence of monumental structures and archaeological sites like Stonehenge.

A large, circular arrangement of standing stones built in ancient Britain, believed to have astronomical and ceremonial significance.

A priestly class in Celtic society known for their religious practices and knowledge.

The period when the Roman Empire controlled parts of Britain, influencing the culture, language, and administration.

A large burial mound, the largest in Europe, located in Wiltshire, England.

A location's connection to astronomical events, such as the solstices or equinoxes.

A culture that existed in the north-western European islands, marked by their use of iron tools and their influence on existing peoples.

The process of combining or merging with another group of people.

Vikings, Norsemen or Danes, who originated from Scandinavia, invaded Britain in the 8th century. Their invasion led to the conquest of islands around Scotland and coastal regions of Ireland in the 9th century. However, their conquest of England was halted by King Alfred of Wessex, resulting in their settlement mainly in the north and east of England.

King Alfred of Wessex, the ruler of the Saxon kingdom, successfully halted the Viking conquest of England in the 9th century. His victory confined Viking settlement to the north and east of the country, ultimately contributing to the formation of a united England.

Despite cultural differences between Anglo-Saxons and Danes, the similarities in lifestyle, language, and the Danes adopting Christianity facilitated a unified England by the end of the 10th century. This unification established a Germanic culture throughout the country.

King Arthur, a historical figure who lived before the medieval period, was a Romanized Celt who resisted the Anglo-Saxon advancements. He is often portrayed as a great English hero in folklore and myth.

Lindisfarne, a significant monastery on the east coast of Britain, was destroyed by Vikings who killed the monks residing there. This event underlines the destructive impact of Viking raids on religious institutions in Britain.

Celtic tribes who migrated to Scotland and became a leading opponent of the Romans along with the Piets.

The Celtic tribes that experience Roman rule, such as those in England and Wales, differed from those who did not, like the Irish and Scottish. This difference explains the existence of two distinct branches of the Celtic language: the Britons in England and Wales and the Gaels in Ireland and Scotland.

The Romans left a legacy o f law, administration, and language in parts o f Europe but had less impact on Britain. They left behind place names like Chester, Lancaster, and Gloucester, derived from a Latin word.

The Romans were less focused on settling in Britain, leading to the invasion and settlement o f Germanic tribes during the 5th century.

A group of Germanic tribes that included the Angles and Saxons, who pushed into Southeast England and ultimately controlled most of England, driving out Celtic culture to areas like Scotland and Wales.

The Anglo-Saxons brought about a significant change in England's countryside by introducing new farming methods and establishing villages that formed the foundation of English society for several centuries.

The Anglo-Saxons were initially pagan but later converted to Christianity, which spread from two sources - from Roman missionaries in the South and from Ireland in the North.

The Celtic church in Scotland and Ireland lasted for centuries, highlighting its decentralized structure and less reliance on strong monarchy compared to the Roman version. This explains the relative local control and instability in those regions throughout the medieval period.

People from Scandinavia who invaded Britain during the 8th century, known as Vikings, Norsemen, or Danes. They settled primarily in Northern and Eastern regions, leading to the unification of England under Germanic culture.

Prior to the Viking invasion, a period in which King Alfred of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex defeated the Vikings, limiting their settlement to parts of the North and East.

The Anglo-Saxons and Danes had similar lifestyles and language, which facilitated political unification in England by the 10th century. Both cultures unified into a singular Germanic entity.

One of the most influential figures in Celtic culture, King Arthur represents the transition o f Celtic Britons facing Germanic invasion. However, history and folklore sometimes misrepresent him as an English hero.

The Viking destruction of the Lindisfarne monastery in 875, which serves to showcase a key event in the Viking invasion.

A pivotal moment in Anglo-Saxon history, where King Alfred divided the Germanic territories of England between the Saxons and the Danes, illustrating the evolving geopolitical landscape of post-Viking England.