Early Britain

Early Britain

1. The Stone Age (Up to 2500 BC)
The Stone Age is the earliest period of human history. It is named because people used tools made from stone.

1.1. Paleolithic Period

When?: The Paleolithic period, or Old Stone Age, began over 800,000 years ago.
Who?: Early humans called Homo sapiens arrived in Britain around 30,000 years ago.
Lifestyle: These people were hunters and gatherers. They hunted animals like deer and gathered plants and berries.
Shelter: They lived in caves or temporary shelters made from wood and animal skins.

1.2. Mesolithic Period (Around 10,000 BC – 4000 BC)

Climate Change: Around 10,000 years ago, the last Ice Age ended, and the climate became warmer.
Tools: People started making smaller and more complex tools, like arrowheads.
Lifestyle: They still moved around a lot, following animal herds and seasonal plants.

1.3. Neolithic Period (Around 4000 BC – 2500 BC)

Farming Begins: Around 6,000 years ago, people in Britain started farming. They grew crops like wheat and barley and kept animals like sheep and cows.
Permanent Homes: People built permanent homes and settled in villages.
Stone Monuments: They built large stone structures, like Stonehenge, around 2500 BC. These monuments were used for religious ceremonies.

2. The Bronze Age (Around 2500 BC – 800 BC)

Bronze Tools: Around 2500 BC, people started using bronze, a metal made by mixing copper and tin. This marked the start of the Bronze Age.
Better Farming: Bronze tools made farming easier. People cleared forests to create fields for crops.
Burial Practices: Bronze Age people buried their dead in barrows (large mounds of earth). They placed valuable items, like jewellery and weapons, with the dead.

2.1. Beaker People

Who?: The Beaker People came to Britain around 2400 BC. They brought new pottery styles and used bronze.
Lifestyle: They lived in small communities and farmed the land. They are also believed to have built the second phase of Stonehenge.

3. The Iron Age (Around 800 BC – AD 43)

Iron Tools: From around 800 BC, people began using iron, a metal stronger than bronze. Iron tools made farming and building more efficient.
Hill Forts: People built forts on hills to protect themselves from enemies. These forts were surrounded by ditches and walls and were like small towns.
Tribal Society: People lived in tribes, each led by a chief. Tribes controlled their own land and often fought with each other.
Art and Craftsmanship: Iron Age people were skilled at making things from metal, pottery, and wood. They made jewellery, tools, and weapons.

3.1. The Celts

Who?: The Celts were tribes that lived in Britain during the Iron Age. They came from central Europe and spoke Celtic languages.
Culture: The Celts were known for their art, music, and storytelling. They believed in many gods and had priests called druids.
Living Conditions: They lived in roundhouses made from wood and thatch. Each village had several families living together.

4. Roman Britain (AD 43 – AD 410)

Roman Invasion: The Romans, from the city of Rome in Italy, invaded Britain in AD 43. The Roman Emperor at the time was Claudius.
Roman Rule: The Romans ruled Britain for almost 400 years. They built roads, towns, and forts. Some of these roads, like Watling Street, are still in use today.
Roman Cities: The Romans built many towns, such as Londinium (London), Eboracum (York), and Aquae Sulis (Bath). These towns had stone buildings, public baths, and theatres.
Hadrian's Wall: In AD 122, Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of a wall across northern Britain to protect against tribes from Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall stretched over 70 miles and was guarded by Roman soldiers.
Boudicca's Revolt: In AD 60, a Celtic queen named Boudicca led a rebellion against the Romans. Her army destroyed Roman towns, including Londinium. However, the Romans defeated her forces.
End of Roman Rule: In AD 410, the Romans left Britain because they were needed to defend other parts of their empire. After the Romans left, Britain was attacked by different tribes like the Saxons.

5. Anglo-Saxon Britain (AD 410 – 1066)

Who Were They?: After the Romans left, the Anglo-Saxons, who came from present-day Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, settled in Britain.
Kingdoms: The Anglo-Saxons formed several kingdoms, including Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria.
Christianity: In AD 597, a monk named Augustine came to Britain to spread Christianity. He became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, a role that still exists today.
Viking Invasions: From AD 793, Vikings from Scandinavia started raiding and settling in Britain. The Anglo-Saxons fought against them for many years.

6. Important Dates to Remember

Around 30,000 years ago: First modern humans arrive in Britain.
Around 2500 BC: Stonehenge is built during the Neolithic period.
Around 2400 BC: The Beaker People arrive in Britain, bringing bronze.
Around 800 BC: Start of the Iron Age in Britain.
AD 43: Romans invade and start ruling Britain.
AD 60: Boudicca's revolt against the Romans.
AD 122: Hadrian's Wall is built.
AD 410: Romans leave Britain.
AD 597: Augustine brings Christianity to Britain.
AD 793: Start of Viking raids in Britain.

7. Summary

Early Settlers: Hunters and gatherers lived in Britain during the Stone Age.
Bronze Age: People started farming and using bronze tools.
Iron Age: Tribes like the Celts used iron and built hill forts.
Roman Britain: Romans ruled for nearly 400 years and built towns, roads, and walls.
Anglo-Saxons: After the Romans left, the Anglo-Saxons formed new kingdoms and brought Christianity.

Multiple Choice Questions

1 - When did modern humans (Homo sapiens) first arrive in Britain?

A) Around 10,000 years ago
B) Around 30,000 years ago
C) Around 50,000 years ago
D) Around 5,000 years ago

2 - What new material did people start using during the Bronze Age?

A) Iron
B) Stone
C) Bronze
D) Wood

3 - Which famous monument was built around 2500 BC during the Neolithic period?

A) Hadrian's Wall
B) Stonehenge
C) Tower of London
D) Big Ben

4 - Which people are known for living in Britain during the Iron Age?

A) Romans
B) Celts
C) Anglo-Saxons
D) Vikings

5 - When did the Romans invade Britain?

A) AD 43
B) AD 597
C) AD 793
D) AD 410

6 - What was the name of the wall built by the Romans to protect northern Britain?

A) The Great Wall
B) Hadrian's Wall
C) The Berlin Wall
D) The Roman Wall

7 - Who was the Celtic queen who led a rebellion against the Romans in AD 60?

A) Boudicca
B) Cleopatra
C) Elizabeth I
D) Victoria

8 - Which group settled in Britain after the Romans left in AD 410?

A) Celts
B) Anglo-Saxons
C) Vikings
D) Romans

9 - Who brought Christianity to Britain in AD 597?

A) Julius Caesar
B) Saint Patrick
C) Augustine
D) William the Conqueror

10 What year marks the beginning of Viking raids in Britain?

A) AD 1066
B) AD 597
C) AD 410
D) AD 793

True or False Questions

1 - Stone Age people in Britain were farmers and lived in permanent homes.

2 - The Beaker People introduced bronze to Britain around 2400 BC.

3 - Hadrian's Wall was built to protect Britain from invasions by the Anglo-Saxons.

4 - The Celts lived in roundhouses and believed in many gods.

5 - The Romans ruled Britain for nearly 400 years.

6 - Boudicca's rebellion was successful in driving the Romans out of Britain.

7 - After the Romans left, Britain was attacked by the Celts.

8 - Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in AD 597.

9 - The Vikings came to Britain before the Romans.

10 - The Anglo-Saxons built Hadrian's Wall.

Short Answer Questions

1 - What is the significance of Stonehenge, and when was it built?


2 - Why did the Romans build Hadrian's Wall?


3 - Who were the Celts, and what were they known for?


4 - What happened in AD 410, and why is it important?


5 - Who was Boudicca, and what did she do?