Early Britain

This page moves from the first people in Britain to the Norman Conquest. Keep the order clear: prehistoric Britain, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans.

Timeline anchors

The story in order

Early Britain begins before written history. People crossed into Britain when it was still connected to Europe, then Britain became separated by the Channel. Farming arrived later, 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, new groups arrived from northern Europe. 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 anchor is 1066. William of Normandy defeated Harold at Hastings, became William the Conqueror, and changed government, landholding and records in England.

Test facts to know

• 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.

How questions may test it

• Place Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman events in order.
• Match 55 BC and AD 43 with Roman invasions.
• Identify Boudicca, Hadrian’s Wall and the Picts.
• Link the Angles and Saxons to the English language.
• Link 1066 to the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror.
• Identify the Domesday Book as a Norman survey.

Key terms

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.