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Raiders and Invaders: The British Isles c.400 - c.1100

ISBN: 0 435 31124 7

Why do we need to know?It is important to understand who the invaders of Roman Britain were because these peoples contributed to the break up of Roman Britain and in turn created a series of kingdoms within Britain. In the fi fth century (the 400’s), these invaders caused devastation and ruin in eastern and southern England. By the early seventh century (the 600’s) the invaders had brought with them new languages and new cultures that would force the Romano-British and the Celtic elements of Britain back to the borders of Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall. As a result of these invasions, which were to become migrations, Roman Britain would eventually become Anglo-Saxon England.

When did the invasions begin?The invasions of Roman Britain were under way a long time before the last Roman troops left Britain. In 367 three invasions of Britain brought slaughter and chaos. Anglo-Saxon invaders came across the North Sea, attacking the Saxon shore forts built for defence by the Romano-British. Picts from central and northern Scotland attacked Hadrian’s Wall and the Gaelic Dal Riata attacked from Ireland. Towns and villas were cut off and London was surrounded by looters. Roman Britain survived these invasions but in 410 AD the Roman Emperor Honorius wrote to the leading citizens of Britannia telling them that from now on, they were on their own. Rome itself had been sacked by the barbarian, Alaric the Goth.

Where were the invaders from?There were three different tribes of settlers who came to England before and after the Roman legions departed in 410 AD, all of Germanic origin. These were:

• The Jutes from Jutland in Denmark,• The Angles from the district of Angeln in

Schleswig, south of Denmark, and• The Saxons, the largest tribe, from northern

Germany.

2In this chapter you will learn:

Who the invaders were When the invasions began Why they came to Britain The difference in value between written and archaeological sources Then and now: the invaders left behind much evidence which

archeologists and historians can evaluate.

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Who were the invaders?

Activity letter to Honorius

You are a Romano-British person living in Britain in around 400 AD. Write a letter to the Emperor Honorius asking for help, explaining what is happening in your country and why you need help from the invaders.

Source A shows the origins of the Jutes, Angles and Saxons.

Key term Migrations

Migrations are the movements of people in large numbers, including women and children, on foot or by boat, usually in search of a better life somewhere with fertile and available land. This was abundant in Britain at this time.

!

KeyAreas of Britain thesettlers occupied

Angles

Jutes

Saxons

Northumbria

Mercia

Wessex

East Anglia

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What do we know about the invaders?What we know about these early raiders and settlers is incomplete. The evidence falls into two categories: written sources and archaeology. The problem with the written evidence is that much of it was written at least 50 years after the events, and some of it almost 300 years later. Historians do not know what evidence these writers were using – either records that are now lost, or oral evidence handed down over the generations. This evidence may have become exaggerated or invented as time went by, in order to glorify the actions of the early kings.

Key term Oral evidence

This means information handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, perhaps in songs or stories told by the fi re in front of large crowds or in the family. At a time when very few people could read or write, these stories were important. They may not have been written down for hundreds of years but were still valuable evidence.

Who were the invaders?

[The invaders] came from three very powerful nations of

the Germans, the Saxons, Angles and Jutes. The people of

Kent and the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight are of Jutish

origin…from the Saxon country…came the East Saxons, the

South Saxons and the West Saxons. Besides this, from the

country of the Angles…came the East Angles, the Middle

Angles, the Mercians, and all the Northumbrian race.

Bede: The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

Source B

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Map of the invasions showing the origins of the Angles, Jutes and Saxons

Source A

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Anglo-Saxon graves in Hertfordshire

Why do we need both written and archaeological sources?There are two main sources of evidence for the Saxon invasions: written and archaeological. Of the written sources, only one (Gildas) was written near the time.

Written sources Gildas, ‘The Ruin of Britain’(550)

A Briton called Gildas, who was writing mainly to criticise the surviving British kings, wrote the only story we have written at the time of the Anglo-Saxon invasions, in around the year 550. This work was called ‘The Ruin of Britain’ and describes the breakdown of Romano-British control to the Saxon invaders. Gildas’ work lacks dates, is brief and inaccurate at points but is useful for describing from personal knowledge what was happening to British society in the sixth century.

Bede, ‘Ecclesiastical History of the English People (731)

Bede was a monk who finished his History in 731, almost 300 years after the events it describes. He used Gildas and other sources (now lost). As an Anglo-Saxon monk of possible royal birth, he was writing long after the Anglo-Saxons had conquered the British peoples. Bede’s History is an extremely valuable source and is the first authentic historical record of Anglo-Saxon England.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles (890s onwards)These chronicles were not begun until the late ninth century and, although they serve as a very valuable evidence for the later Anglo-Saxon period, they were written 400 years after the Saxon invasions and are principally interested in the story of the West Saxons.

Source C

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Archaeological sourcesGiven the lack of written material for this period, the use of archaeological evidence to back these sources up is crucial.

The main archaeological evidence is graves. Graves such as those in the photo (Source C) tell us who lived in an area, when and also a bit about how they lived.

The problem with archaeological evidence is that so much evidence has been lost, destroyed or will never be found. But used with the written sources, it can provide a great deal of extra information.

So why did the Saxons invade?Evidence from burial sites from the early Saxon invaders show that the Saxons came before the Romans officially left in 410 and were still settling in the early sixth century.

Judging by the Roman military equipment found in some burials, Romano-British chiefs probably employed some of the early Saxons as soldiers. Other Saxons were raiders and some were humble ‘boat people’, were in search of a better life.

Who were the invaders?

Activity Classroom debate

Land use dispute

A property developer in your area wants to build houses over important Saxon grave sites. A local archaeological group claim that the graves prove that Saxon invaders were in this area and want to earmark the land as a protected historical site. The property developer argues that there isn’t enough evidence to support this. The archaeological group has to prove that there is.

Divide the class into two groups. Each group needs to present their case to the local council.

In conclusion

The invaders were from the Germanic tribes: the Saxons, Angles and Jutes.

The invasions began a bit before the Romans left in 410 AD.

They came to Britain as paid soldiers, as raiders and as settlers.

We need both written and archaeological evidence to get the full picture.

What two categories does the evidence fall into? What is ‘oral history?’ What are the problems with Gildas’ writing as

historical evidence? Why is Gildas still useful? Look at Source B. Should we treat Bede’s history

as a useful source? What are the uses for archaeology in helping us

discover this period? Which do you think is more useful: the historical

sources or archaeology? Explain why.

Questions

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‘The early Anglo-Saxons brought nothing new to Britain and destroyed what they found.’

How far do the sources you have researched convince you that this statement is correct?

Saxons: Exam Practice

Impressions

…this term asks you to judge what the sources tell you. How accurate are they? What is the context of the source and how does that add to the impressions it gives?

Impressions

Hints and tips

Plan your time. Allow yourself about three hours to research the topic and one hour to write up your answer.

Hints and tipsHow to tackle the taskThink about what you know alreadyHow could you decide whether the Anglo-Saxons brought anything new to Britain and whether or not they destroyed what they found? What would you look for? Draw up a checklist.

Begin your research

• The task asks you to research sources. You will need to use evidence from a wide range of sources to back up what you are going to say. You could be looking for archaeological evidence, for reconstructions, for what people at the time believed and for what historians think.

• Look at the sources you have studied in this unit, and sources A and B here. What does the evidence suggest so far about the behaviour of the Anglo-Saxons?

• Remember to think about the reliability and usefulness of these sources.

Wider research

• You can use any resources normally available to you, for example the internet, the library, your class notes and textbook.

• Look for a range of sources that will help you decide how the Anglo-Saxons behaved.

• Keep a note of all the sources you use.

• Look for different opinions about how the Anglo-Saxons behaved. Are these different opinions supported by the evidence you have found?

Write up your fi ndings

• Make sure you explain how far you agree with the statement given in the task. Don’t just write down everything you know about the Anglo-Saxons and the Romano-British.

• Try to compare both sides of the argument. If you think the Anglo-Saxons brought lots of new things to Britain explain why.

• Back up what you say by referring to the sources you have researched.

• Do your best to communicate your fi ndings clearly, and use correct grammar and spelling.

Hints and tips

In the real exam, you won’t be given sources to analyse. But we have included some here to help you learn to make good use of sources in your answer.

Hints and tips

Who were the invaders?

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Hints and tips

Check how long your answer should be. There’s no use writing a lot more than required. Essays for this Unit should be between 1000–1500 words, not including diagrams, drawings and photographs. Anything over 1500 words may not be marked. Try to use your essay plan to help you assign numbers of words to different parts.

Source A From The Ruin of Britain by Gildas, a fi fth-century Romano-British monk

To Aetius, thrice consul, the groans of the Briton…The barbarians push us to the sea; the sea pushes us back on the barbarians. Between these two kinds of death, we are either drowned or slaughtered.

Source B Purse lid from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, c.624

Hints and tips

How to write an essay plan

Always write a quick essay plan dividing the words in the question up into chunks. For example this question can be divided into two main parts:

• Introduction (150 words)

1. ‘The early Anglo-Saxons brought nothing new to Britain.’ Agree / disgree? List of evidence and sources to back it up. (600 words)

2. ‘The early Anglo-Saxons destroyed what they found.’ Agree / disgree? List of evidence and sources to back it up. (600 words)

• Conclusion (150 words)

Now you have your plan, go with what you know fi rst. Then do your research and add to the original plan. With any luck you won’t have much left to think about whilst you’re writing.