Britain's Celtic Tribes

Overview of Britain's Celtic Tribal Groups

Introduction to the Celts

• The Celts originated as a collection of tribes in Central Europe, migrating westward to Britain, Ireland, France, and Spain.

• Each tribe had distinct territories, borders, and leaders but shared similar traditions, culture, language, and religion.

Prominent Celtic Tribes in Britain

• Notable tribes included:

• Brigantes: Located in Northern England and the Midlands.

• Catuvellauni: Occupied a large area north of the River Thames.

• Deceangli: Resided in modern-day North Wales and on the Isle of Anglesey (Isle of Mona).

• Domnoni: Found in Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset with strong trade links to Brittany.

• Ordovices: Inhabited areas that are now North Wales, Shropshire, Hereford, and Worcester.

Roman Expansion into Britain

Roman Invasion

• The Roman Empire expanded aggressively during the first century A.D., successfully invading Britain but not reaching Ireland.

• British Celts were pushed west into Wales and Cornwall while also moving north into Scotland.

Resistance from Celtic Tribes

• The Romans sought further expansion into northern territories due to rich silver and gold mines but faced fierce resistance from Celtic tribes.

• Hadrian's Wall was constructed around A.D. 122 to keep northern Celts out of Roman-controlled Britain.

Impact of Roman Rule on Celtic Culture

Cultural Changes Under Roman Influence

• Many Celts were killed or forced to adopt Roman culture during the first century B.C., leading to significant cultural shifts.

• Despite this influence, large areas retained strong Celtic cultural identities even under Roman rule.

Adoption of Roman Practices

• British Celts began using Roman coins, building roads according to Roman designs, speaking Latin (the Roman language), adopting Christianity (Roman religion), and obeying new laws including disarmament.

Consequences Following the Fall of Rome

Vulnerability Post-Roman Withdrawal

• When Romans abandoned Britain in the fifth century A.D., it left Britons vulnerable to invasions by Anglo-Saxons.