History of England 

 
literature note by Roberto D'Arienzo  
 
PARAGRAPH 1 : FIRST INHABITANTS 
 
1.1 Who were Britons? What do we know about them?  
Britons  were  a  Celtic  people  who  used  to  live  in  tribes  sometimes  ruled  by  women
(e.g. the legendary queen Boacidea). 
 
1.2 What was the religion of ancient Britons?  
It was Druidism (Druid means knowing the oak tree) and their priests were called
Druids. 
 
1.3 Where did they celebrate their rites?  
In temples made up of stone  
 
 
PARAGRAPH 2: THE ROMAN INVASION  
 
2.1 What happens in 55 B.C.?  
Caesar’ invasion to Britain  
 
2.2 Why was the Hadrian’s Wall such an important achievement?  
As  it  was  thought  to  protect  Roman  Britain  (Britannia)  from  Pict  and  Scots  (savage
tribes of Caledonia)  
 
2.3 What cities have in their names a “Roman” etymology?  
Man​chester​, Lan​caster ​[...] from the latin castrum.  
 
 
PARAGRAPH 3: THE SAXON INVASIONS  
 
3.1 What happens when Roman legions leave?  
Britain  is  unprotected  and  many  tribes,  Angles,  Saxons  and  Jutes  (Germanic  tribes),
start to invade the country.  
 
3.2 What happens to Britons, then?  
They're pushed into Cornwall (Wales and Scotland). From that episode, Britons
forced to leave, it was born the legend of King Arthur.  
 
3.3 Why don't we have a complete visual of that Saxons, Angles tribes?  
It's due to their runic alphabet, made of mysterious characters.  
 
 
3.4 How is the Country divided by the 9th century ?  
North : Northumbria 
Middle : Mercia  
South: Wessex  
Their dialects are recognized as “Old English” 
 
 
PARAGRAPH 4: THE VIKING INVATIONS  
 
4.1 What else happens in ‘900?  
Anglo Saxons vs Vikings (called Danes)  
 
4.2 Why did they redesign the cultural map of England of time?  
Up to Danish invasions : the centre is Northumbria; 
After the decline of Northumbria : the centre is Wessex