Early Britain

Test atoms

Learn these as compact test facts. Then practise recognising the same fact in different wording.

What not to over-learn first

• Do not treat early Britain as one blur. Separate Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans.
• Keep Stonehenge in Wiltshire separate from Skara Brae in Orkney.

Spot the correct statement

The real test often asks you to recognise a correct sentence, not write an answer from memory. You should be able to spot statements like these:

• Stonehenge is a famous prehistoric monument in Wiltshire.
• Boudicca led resistance against the Romans in Britain.
• Angles and Saxons helped form the basis of the English language after the Romans left.

Main timeline

What changed in this period

People crossed into Britain when it was still connected to Europe. Later, the Channel separated Britain from the continent. Farming arrived, and people built places such as Stonehenge and Skara Brae.

The Romans brought roads, public buildings, law structures and Christianity. After the Roman army left, groups from northern Europe arrived. The Angles and Saxons helped shape the English language.

Vikings first came as raiders, then settled in parts of Britain. Anglo-Saxon rulers fought them, and Alfred the Great became an important name in that story.

The big date is 1066. William of Normandy defeated Harold at Hastings, became William the Conqueror, and changed government and landholding in England.

Facts to remember

• Britain became permanently separated from the continent by the Channel about 10,000 years ago.
• The first farmers arrived around 6,000 years ago and built monuments such as Stonehenge.
• Skara Brae on Orkney is an important Stone Age village site.
• Bronze Age people made objects in bronze and gold; Iron Age people used iron and built hill forts such as Maiden Castle.
• Julius Caesar invaded in 55 BC but did not conquer Britain; Emperor Claudius led the successful Roman invasion in AD 43.
• Boudicca was an Iceni leader who fought against Roman rule.
• Hadrian’s Wall was built in northern England to defend Roman Britain from the Picts.
• The Romans stayed for about 400 years and left roads, public buildings, law structures and early Christian communities.
• The Roman army left Britain in AD 410.
• The Jutes, Angles and Saxons came from northern Europe; their languages helped form modern English.
• Missionaries including St Patrick, St Columba and St Augustine helped spread Christianity.
• Vikings first raided Britain in AD 789 and later settled, especially in the Danelaw.
• King Alfred the Great defeated Vikings and helped unite Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
• In 1066 William of Normandy defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings and became William the Conqueror.
• The Domesday Book recorded settlements, land, people and animals after the Norman Conquest.

Common traps

• Julius Caesar invaded in 55 BC, but Claudius led the successful Roman invasion in AD 43.
• Hadrian’s Wall is linked to Roman Britain and the Picts.
• The Angles and Saxons are linked to the English language.
• 1066 means the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror and Norman rule.

Names to recognise

Stonehenge, Skara Brae, Maiden Castle, Julius Caesar, Emperor Claudius, Boudicca, Hadrian’s Wall, Picts, St Patrick, St Columba, St Augustine, Danelaw, King Alfred the Great, Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, Domesday Book.

Practise this topic in history practice.

Quick check