3.1: The Beginnings of Britain and The Romans

The Stone Age

The Stone Age and the First Inhabitants

The earliest known people to inhabit Britain were hunter-gatherers, living during what is referred to as the Stone Age. At that time, Britain was connected to mainland Europe by a land bridge. These early people migrated in search of food, following herds of deer and horses. Britain became permanently separated from the continent approximately 10,000 years ago due to the formation of the English Channel.

The Arrival of Farming Communities

About 6,000 years ago, the first farmers arrived in Britain, likely from south-east Europe. These farmers built houses, tombs, and monuments, some of which still stand today. One of the most famous is Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, believed to be a gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. Another significant site from this period is Skara Brae in Orkney, off the northern coast of Scotland. Skara Brae is the best-preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe and provides valuable insights into life at the end of the Stone Age.

The Bronze Age

Introduction of Bronze Working

Around 4,000 years ago, Britain entered the Bronze Age with the knowledge of bronze-working. During this time, people lived in roundhouses and buried their dead in round barrows. Bronze Age communities were skilled metalworkers, crafting items out of bronze and gold, including tools, ornaments, and weapons.

The Iron Age

The Shift to Iron Tools

The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age, marked by the use of iron for tools and weapons. People continued to live in roundhouses, but settlements grew larger and were often fortified with hill forts. One well-preserved example is Maiden Castle in Dorset.

Celtic Languages and Culture

During the Iron Age, people spoke languages from the Celtic language family, which were common across Europe. Related languages are still spoken in parts of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland today. Iron Age communities had a developed economy and culture, including the production of the first coins in Britain, some of which bore the names of kings. This period marks the beginning of recorded British history.

The Romans in Britain

Julius Caesar’s Invasion

Julius Caesar led an invasion of Britain in 55 BC, but it was unsuccessful. For nearly 100 years, Britain remained separate from the Roman Empire. In AD 43, Emperor Claudius led a second invasion, which succeeded in conquering most of Britain, despite resistance from some local tribes.

Boudicca and Roman Resistance

One prominent leader who resisted the Roman invasion was Boudicca, queen of the Iceni tribe in eastern England. Her legacy is still remembered today, with a statue of her located near the Houses of Parliament on Westminster Bridge in London.

Hadrian’s Wall

The Romans never fully conquered the area that is now Scotland. To protect Roman Britain from the Picts, the ancestors of the Scottish people, Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. The wall included several forts, some of which, such as Housesteads and Vindolanda, are still visible today and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Roman Legacy in Britain

The Romans remained in Britain for about 400 years. During this time, they built roads, public buildings, and introduced a legal system. They also brought new plants and animals to Britain. By the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, the first Christian communities began to appear in Britain, signaling a significant religious shift.