Used as an introduction to Beowulf

2. End of Celtic migration to isles
75 BC
”(ielt” is a general term used to describe a group oi
separate tribes connected by similar language and «
Also called Brythons, they are thought to have ow;
The Alps. The used bronze and iron-age weapons
easily drove out the indigenous peoples OiWllL1ltD.
become the British Isles.

3. Roman invasion led by Julius Caesar
55 BC
Caesar founds Londinium on the site of an existing Celtic
settlement, whose name is lost to history. It is firmly
established by Emperor Claudius by 43 AD and Continues
4» “ to be fortified until 550 AD, well after the Roman
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4. Era of Roman Peace (Pax Romana)
28 BC — 200 AD
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ii stability.
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‘‘ prosperity and peace, called the Pax Romy
ii Peace. This was a time of efficient goverr:

5. End of Pax Romana
Constant warfare, interior political struggles, plague and
invasion end the Roman Peace.

6. Roman withdrawal from isles
409 AD
"1- » number of troops it supported in the British Isles. This
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With the impending fall of Rome (Alaric sacked Ronv;
410), troops were pulled out in 409. Romanesque
administration lasted another 40 years.
D7‘ For many years prior to 409, Rome had been f€(ltJ(‘l"_',
rl smaller number of troops, combined with the larger l : l
J conquered more of the island, led to weakened delw»

7. Christian missionaries arrive
430 AD
-»_L—j--‘5Ti‘-7’. ',*’. l¥‘ " ‘ 2', -', ' Christianity has slowly spread from the middle east across
L , Europe. It arrives in the isles in 430 AD, bringing with it a
dUCing the : it
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'ger English : §,_c_‘. ' g" I . . Q 461.
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8. Anglo-Saxon invasions
449 AD
The Angles and Saxons, Germanic pagans, II}
_‘, ‘-'7 ‘ff British Isles in 449. They quickly spread acn: .-
. . replacing the Latin language and centralizt-r:
l/ T75‘ 'l'l " ‘it " of their Roman redecesors The are re iv
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9. Welsh tribes united under Christianity
Though not historically verified, many scholars claim that
the historical figure who grew into the legendary King
I Arthur cobbled together an alliance of Christian tribes to
’ repel Anglo—Saxon invaders at the Battle of Badon. Arthur
would have been a Romano—British warrior and king. That
is, he would have been trained in the Roman tradition,
though he lived as the influence of Roman rule was waning
in England.

10. Viking invasions begin
793 AD
Norsemen invade from Scandinavia, destroying the
Christian Abbey at Lindisfarne, the academic heart of
Christian England. They quickly and savagely press their
attacks on eastern England.

11. King Alfred of Wessex unites islands under Christianity: England is born.
871 AD
4 7 ' N With most of the other Christian ”kingdoms” fallen under
the siege of the Vikings, Alfred becomes king of Wessex
and, over the next 2 decades, unites the people of England
under Christianity to repel the Norsemen.
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