Sub Roman Britain
History
INTRODUCTION
Britain, from the collapse of Roman government in the early 5th century until the arrival of St. Augustine near the end of the 6th, has been labelled “Sub-Roman Britain” by certain ‘specialists’. Geographically, “Sub-Roman Britain” can best be defined as the land south of the Firth of Forth-Firth of Clyde line that was once the Roman province of Britannia from A.D.43-410.
It should be noted forthwith that the term “Sub-Roman” was originally used by archaelogists to describe 5th century pottery that had degenerated from earlier Roman pottery. It would be an error to view “Sub-Roman Britain” simply as “Roman Britain degenerated”. This would ignore its’ achievements. After gaining their independence from the Romans, the Britons created a unique hybrid culture composed of Roman, Celtic, and Christian elements.
This was a period of significant change. The very nature of the people, their language, religion and institutions, was forever changed. The expansion of the Anglo Saxons and others, the Adventus Saxoni, resulted with the Celtic-Roman British people being replaced by Germanic people. The Celtic language was replaced by Germanic dialects. And the once centrally governed Roman provinces were replaced by loose knit, feuding hereditary kingships.
LITERARY SOURCES
INSCRIPTIONS
ARCHAEOLOGY
PLACE NAMES
SETTLEMENT PATTERNS
SUMMARY
