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The Invasions of the British Isles

There is a certain generalization about British people. A real British person has some special traits that distinguish him from the representatives of other nations. But what does it mean to be real British? It is a rather difficult question.

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The British Isles has been undergone several invasions during their history. All the invaders have left their own prominent marks in history, architecture and culture. Let`s look through the history of the invasions and analyze their meaning.

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The Invasion of the Celtic Tribes

After 700 B.C. Britain was invaded by the tribes named the Celts.

These tribes came from Central Europe. For more than 500 years the Celtic culture had established itself throughout the British Isles. But they came in three distinct waves. The Gaels, the Brythons, the Belgaes.

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The Celts were warlike people. The clans constantly quarreled much with each other. Their love for war made them vulnerable. When the enemies came to their land, the Celts clans and tribes couldn't stop fighting with each other to put up a well-knit front. And they couldn`t protect themselves separately.

As the result, they lost the control over Britain.

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The Invasion of the Romans

So in 55 B.C the first raid of the Romans under Julius Caesar came to Britain.

In 43 A.D. Britain was occupied by the Romans under the Emperor Claudius.

The Romans were very persistent in conquering the whole island. And almost had no difficulties with it thank to the permanent Celtic tribes` fighting among themselves.

The Romans established a Romano-British culture across the southern part of Britain. This part was included in the empire.

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The Romans ruled the country for almost 400 years. In IV century the weakening of the Roman Empire started. The power of the Romans was losing its position and stability. It was obvious for other claimers to these territories.

The Anglo-Saxon tribes started their raids to the land of the British Isles taking the advantage of the weakening of the Romans. The Romans had to leave Britain.

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The Invasion of the Anglo-Saxons

In the 5-6th centuries these tribes came shortly after the Roman legions left Britain forever. Nowadays we know that there were three main tribes Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

Unlike the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons never went back to their native lands. They stayed in Britain. So, many people living in Britain today have Anglo Saxon roots.

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The Anglo-Saxons established 7 kingdoms: Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, Sussex, Kent, Essex, East Anglia. During the Anglo-Saxons` invasion the larger part of Britain got its new name England (the land the Angles).

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The importance of Anglo-Saxon culture is obvious even in our modern life. For example, several days of the week were named after Germanic gods.

Besides, new place-names appeared on the map.

So we may say that Britain got the rudiments of its nation-building in this period in particular.

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The Invasion of the Vikings

In 856 the Vikings appeared on the territory of modern Great Britain eager to invade this generous land.

The Vikings or the Danes were the Scandinavian warriors.

They invaded Britain in the 8th to 10th centuries. Their rule was recognized in the east and north of England.

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The Norman Conquest of England

The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066.

The Norman Conquest was a defining moment in English history. It almost completely removed the native ruling class, replacing it externally imposed, French-speaking monarchy, aristocracy, and clerical hierarchy.

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Nowadays the United Kingdom is the home for four different but very closely connected nationalities: the English, the Scotch, the Welsh and the Irish.

But all of them are the great mix of those people, who had been living on their lands during the gradual foundation of their national identity.

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Sleep Away

Bob Acri

Bob Acri, track 3

2004

Jazz

200511.4

eng - Blujazz Productions

- Blujazz Productions