Chapter 8 History of Britain,The beginning of Britain The Early settlers (-55B.C.) Roman Britain (55B.C.-410A.D.) Anglo-Saxon Britain (410- 871) Viking Britain (871-1042) Norman Conquest (1066),The Early Settlers (-55 B.C.) 8,000 years ago Great Britain became an island Natives of Britain Iberians (3000BC-2000BC) The first settlers of Britain from the Mediterranean area,Stonehenge in Southwest England Built between 3000 BC and 1000 BC The most famous prehistoric monument and tourist attraction,The Celts began to arrive Britain about 700 BC. tall and golden-haired from Central Europe farmers warlike people,Roman Britain (55 B.C.- 410),British recorded history begins with the Roman invasion. For nearly 400 years, Britain was under the Roman occupation, though it was never a total occupation.,Roman Invasion,Roman Civilization The month “July” is named after Julius Caesar himself. Christianity to Britain Extraordinary achievement in building roads “All Roads Lead to Rome” Hadrians Wall Englands great wall 2000 years ago,Roman influence on Britain was limited. First, the Romans always treated the Britons as a subject people of slave class. Second, never during the 4 centuries did the Romans and Britons intermarry. Third, the Romans had no impact on the language or culture of ordinary Britons.,Anglo-Saxon Britain (410-871) Basis of Modern English race: the Anglo-Saxons The Angle, Saxon, and Jute tribes invaded in 5th and 6th centuries The Anglo-Saxons left their home in northern Germany and Denmark. The Heptarchy: seven principal kingdoms of Kent, Essex, Sussex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria contended for hegemony,St. Augustin The first Archbishop of Canterbury in 601 He built the Canterbury Cathedral. He introduced Christianity to England. The founder of the English church,King Arthur The best-known English legend The 5th century Story King Arthur united the British His famous round table“ knights Drove the Saxons back with his magical sword A hero of British, who leads the defense against the Anglo-Saxon invaders in the early 6th century,Viking(871-1042) Invasion time In the late 8th century From Denmark Norsemen, “people from the North” From 1017 to 1041 England was ruled by Danish kings.,Alfred the Great The king of Wessex The father of British navy A capable military leader and administrator,Westminster Abbey In 1042 By Edward, King of England, a faithful Christian One of the oldest buildings in London A living monument to British history Almost all English kings have been crowned there.,Influences of the Danish Invasion Many Danish words became a part of the British vocabulary. Such as: sky, they, their, them, bank, gate, guess etc. British system of counting was adopted from the Danes. Like: dozen, penny, foot. Many names of English towns are borrowed from the Danes.,Norman Conquest The last foreign invasion in England The best-known event in English history Duke William of Normandy, from northern France William is often referred to as William the Conqueror. ,On October 14, 1066 William and his army defeated the English army in the battle of Hastings. William was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey, known as William I of England. This invasion is called Norman Conquest.,Influences of Norman Conquest Language - French replaced English as the language of the ruling classes. -The period of Middle English began., Architecture The Tower of London (The most famous castle) England became a land of castles Doomsday Book - the base for future taxation - a useful source of information for the monarchs,Robin Hood Englands best-loved legend Heroic Saxon noblemen oppressed by the Normans “Merry men” robbed from the rich to give to the poor.,British Invasion History,Part II The Feudal Britain (1066-1485) Key Points: 1. Common Law 2. The Magna Carta 3. The beginning of Parliament 4. The decline of feudalism,Feudal Britain Norman Conquest marked the establishment of feudalism in England 1. After the Norman Conquest, feudalism was established in England. 2. The nobility gradually gained power. 3. State mechanism was gradually established such as the parliamentary system and the common law.,The succession of monarchs Kings: William I(1066-1154)-(grandson)- Henry II(1154-1189)-(son)- Richard I(1189-1199)-(brother)- King John(1199-1216)-(son)- Henry III(1216-1272)- Edward III-,Achievements: Norman conquest-the common law-crusades-the Magna Carta-the beginning of parliament- the establishment of parliamentary system.,The beginning of the parliament When? -1264, The nobles defeated the king Who? -Simon de Monfort VS Henry III,How? Simon de Monfort made changes in the formation of the Great Council - added some commoners into the council Significance? - laid the foundation for the development of the English parliament,The decline of Feudalism Root: the foundation of the manor syst