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Celts and Anglo-Saxons
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain c. 450AD The Goths started attacking Rome in about 238AD. Gradually the so-called barbarian tribes wore down the Empire over the next 150 years or so. In about 400 AD, the Western Goths (Visigoths) invaded Spain and Italy and blockaded Rome with the aim of securing a safe homeland. After several broken truces the Christian Visigoth leader Alaric finally entered Rome on August 24th 410. This caused Rome to recall her legions from Britain, stating that Britain should 'look to its own defence'. The south west of Britain had, as stated earlier, been only lightly infiltrated by the Romans and 410 AD also saw the emergence of a large coherent Celtic kingdom stretching from Glastonbury (Glastenning) as far as the Isles of Scilly (Ennor). This was the Kingdom of Dumnonia and it remained largely intact until the coming of the West Saxons (Wessex) some 150 years later. We now enter the Dark Ages - their very name indicating clearly the lack of information of this time. For the next 400 years or so we see turmoil in Britain on a large scale with the systematic destruction of the ways of the Britons to be replaced by the savage ways of the heathen Saxons. The only bright spark in the Celtic world being the rise to power of Aurelius Ambrosianus or Ambrosius [now thought to be the basis for the legend of King Arthur]. This Romano-Celtic chieftain was the grandson of Magnus Maximus and son of Constantine. He was only a boy when his elder brother Constans was killed by his own chief adviser - a certain Vortigern. Vortigern now married Severa, daughter of Magnus Maximus strengthening his claim to the throne. Meanwhile Ambrosius was hurriedly taken, with his baby brother Uther Pendragon, to Brittany, to the court of their cousin Budic I for their own safety. In the mid 5th century, Vortigern, King of the Pagenses of Powys and Gloucestershire, is thought to have invited Saxons, Angles and Jutes from Germany to help as paid soldiers or mercenaries in his struggles against the Picts and Scots (Irish) in Northern Britain. The Saxons under the leadership of the Prince Hengist and Horsa assisted at first in return for a payment of land near Caer-Correi, Lincolnshire (441AD). Gradually, by their warcraft and cunning, the Saxons gained more and more land. Records also state that there were two great battles in Kent at Aylesford and Crayford (near Rochester) about 455-456AD. The Saxons were victorious and the Britons fell back to regroup around London. When Vortigern fell in love with Hengist's daughter Rowena, the Saxons saw their chance to gain a more permanent foothold in the country. Vortigern could marry her but the price would be the sub-kingdom of Ceint (Kent). This outraged Vortigern's son from his first marriage - Vortimer so much that he set up his own rival British army against the Saxons. The Saxons were not yet finished however, Rowena poisoned her step-son (455AD) and the brothers Hengist and Horsa turned on Vortigern. They rampaged through Southern Britain sacking settlements as they went. This onslaught culminating in a great battle (possibly near Stonehenge). Prince Horsa and Vortigern's other son Catigern were among the fatalities. When Hengist called a truce Vortigern readily agreed. The Saxon, now 'King of Kent' asked for a meeting with all the British nobles to discuss terms. Once again Hengist broke his word and attacked them slaughtering them all at the peace table. This caused a great deal of long-lasting hatred and mistrust between the British and the Saxons, leading to many decades of war. Many years later after Vortigern had lost great swathes of the country, Ambrosius returned, winning a great battle at Mount Badon - possibly about 485AD - which slowed the westward advance of the Saxons for some 50 years. When the Romans invaded some 450 years previously they met with a small series of kingdoms and tribes all squabbling for power on a local level. When the Anglo-Saxons invaded they met with a far more unified response from the Romano-Britons. The Britons made much more concerted efforts to protect their land. The attacks of the 'heathen' Saxons made the Celts and Romanized-Britons take refuge in their beliefs - Christianity became more and more powerful - this can be seen by the myriad of place names involving a Christian Saint. [See Language]. Many Celts are known to have crossed the Channel southwards to Armorica around this time and set up the new Celtic kingdom of Brittany, sub-divided into Domnonia; Cornouaille and Bro Erech. The links can still be seen in the similarity in the languages, flags and customs of Cornwall and Brittany. It should also be noted that these new 'visitors' were not looked upon as invaders but merely as 'fellow Celts' forced to flee as refugees from the onslaght of the barbarian Saxons. The Saxons pressed onward into the interior of Britain. After their victory at Dyrham Down near Bristol, in 577AD, the Saxons occupied Gloucester (Glevum), Cirencester (Corinium Dobunnorum) and Bath (Aquae Sulis). The invaders drove the Dumnonii ever westward into 'West Wales'. The Celts of Cornwall now separated from the Celts of Wales. Indeed the names Wales, Welsh, Wallace and Wallis are thought to derive from the Saxon word 'Wealas' meaning 'Stranger' or 'foreigner'. The West Saxons (Wessex) conquered Devon by 682AD, with Isca (Exeter) being captured in 710AD. Cornwall remained independent for a time largely due to the fact that King Roderic of the Britons (Wales & Cornwall) won a great victory over his Saxon counterpart Adelred in 722AD. In about 780AD, Christianized Vikings from Denmark landed in South West Britain and formed an alliance with the Cornish in 807AD. Cornwall was invaded by the new King, Ecgberht of Wessex in 814AD but the Saxons did not really dominate their opponents. Stalemate followed for the next 20 years or so with the Cornish-Danish Alliance holding their own against the armies of Wessex. Cornwall only truly lost its independence after their defeat at the Battle of Hingston Down in 838AD. Some researchers argue that Exeter may have been 'ethnically cleansed' of Celts sometime around 927AD under orders of Athelstan with the border between Cornwall (Celtic) and (Saxon) Devon being fixed as the eastern bank of the River Tamar a decade or so later. | |
