The History of English Podcast: Episode 29 – The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: August 12, 2013
Description: The Spoken History of a Global Language

Introduction to the Lost Centuries (00:10)

In Episode 29 of The History of English Podcast, Kevin Stroud delves into one of the most enigmatic periods of British history: the Anglo-Saxon invasion. Covering roughly two centuries from the Roman withdrawal in 410 AD to around 600 AD, these "lost centuries" are shrouded in mystery due to the scarcity of contemporary records. As Kevin explains:

"These two centuries are sometimes called the lost centuries of British history because so little is known about what happened with any certainty." (00:10)

Post-Roman Britain: Language and Society

Linguistic Landscape

Kevin begins by painting a picture of Britain’s linguistic landscape post-Roman rule. Latin had been the lingua franca in Roman Britain, particularly in urban centers like Londinium (modern-day London). However, outside these towns, Celtic languages remained predominant among the rural populace.

"Latin was spoken in and around the Roman occupied towns and cities. But outside of the towns and cities, out in the rural areas, most Britons continued to speak the native Celtic languages." ([Transcript Segment])

Urban Decline

Despite Latin being the official language, cities were small by modern standards, with Londinium housing about 30,000 people over 300 acres. The majority of the population lived in rural areas, maintaining the Celtic languages and traditions.

The Departure of the Romans and Its Impact

Economic and Cultural Decline

The Roman Empire’s withdrawal in 410 AD marked the beginning of significant decline in Britain's infrastructure and economy. Kevin outlines how Roman amenities like running water and public baths began to disappear, leading to increased vulnerability.

"The native Romano Britons weren't accustomed to fighting in their own defense. And this was in stark contrast to the warriors who had been invading from the north and the west, the Picts and the Scots, especially the Picts." ([Transcript Segment])

External Threats: Picts, Scots, and Germanic Tribes

Northern and Eastern Pressures

With the Roman legions no longer present to defend the island, Britain faced threats from the Picts in the north and Germanic tribes such as the Angles and Saxons from the east and south. These groups exploited the weakened defenses, leading to increased incursions and settlements over time.

Bishop Germanus and Early Saxon Settlements (429 AD)

Reorganization Efforts

Around 429 AD, Bishop Germanus arrived from Gaul to aid a Britain still grappling with external threats. He reorganized local militias using traditional Roman military tactics and reportedly led successful battles against Saxon invaders.

"According to his biography, he actually led a group of Britons in a successful battle against Saxon invaders during this period." ([Transcript Segment])

Archaeological Evidence

Despite these efforts, the first permanent Saxon settlements began to appear between 430 and 440 AD, indicating a gradual but persistent Saxon presence.

Britain's Plea for Help: The Groans of the British (circa 450 AD)

Desperate Letters

A poignant piece of evidence from this period is a letter known as the "Groans of the British," penned between 446 and 454 AD. This desperate plea to a Roman general in Gaul highlighted the dire situation Britons faced:

"The barbarians drive us to the sea, the sea throws us back on the barbarians. Thus, two modes of death await us. We're either slain or drowned." ([Transcript Segment])

Despite their plea, the Roman Empire was too preoccupied with continental threats like Attila the Hun to offer assistance.

The Gallic Chronicle and Early Saxon Conquest (441 AD)

Saxon Dominance

The Gallic Chronicle of 452, albeit written a century later, provides an account dating to around 441 AD, stating:

"The Britons, which to this time had suffered from various disasters and misfortunes, are reduced to the power of the Saxons." ([Transcript Segment])

While there are discrepancies in dating, this chronicle corroborates the intensifying Saxon conquest during this period.

Archaeological Evidence of the Anglo-Saxons

Runic Inscriptions

Archaeological discoveries, such as a gold medallion found near Suffolk bearing a Germanic runic inscription, date back to between 450 and 480 AD. This medallion, inscribed with:

"This she wolf is a reward to my kinsmen,"

is recognized as the earliest known Anglo-Saxon inscription in Britain, marking the tangible presence of the English language on the island.

Migration to Northern Gaul and the Formation of Brittany

Refugee Exodus

As Saxon pressure mounted, many Britons fled southern Britain, migrating across the Channel to northern Gaul. This migration led to the establishment of Brittany, named simply for its settlers from Britain. The region remained relatively distinct from the expanding Frankish territories.

Letters of Sidonius Apollinaris: Confirmation of British Presence in Gaul (468-470 AD)

Letters Detailing Breton Settlements

Sidonius Apollinaris, a Gaulish bishop, provides valuable insights through his letters dated 468 and 470 AD. These correspondences confirm the presence of British refugees in Brittany and detail interactions between Britons and other groups.

"Sidonius specifically mentions the Bretons north of the Loire, confirming that the British refugees were in place in northern Gaul around this time, around the year 468." ([Transcript Segment])

Interactions with Other Tribes

His letters also highlight tensions and interactions with neighboring groups, such as the Bretons enticing slaves away from British leaders, underscoring ongoing conflicts and instability.

Gildas' Sermon: An Early Account of the Invasion (~550 AD)

A Moral Interpretation

Gildas the Wise, a British monk, offers one of the most detailed contemporary accounts through his extended sermon, "On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain." Written around 550 AD, his narrative emphasizes the moral failings of Britons for inviting the Saxons as mercenaries to combat the Picts, leading to their eventual subjugation.

"As a protection to their country, they sealed its doom by inviting in among them, like wolves into the sheepfold, the fierce and impious Saxons." ([Transcript Segment])

Key Events According to Gildas

• Invitation of the Saxons: Britons invited Saxons to defend against northern threats.
• Saxon Betrayal: Saxons seized the opportunity to overrun Britain.
• Destruction and Exodus: Vast destruction ensued, leading to mass displacement and migration to Gaul.
• Victory at Mons Badonicus: Under Ambrosius Aurelianus, Britons achieved a significant (though debated) victory, temporarily halting Saxon advances.

Critical Analysis

Kevin notes that while Gildas provides a foundational narrative, his account is influenced by his religious and moral perspectives, making it both invaluable and subject to scrutiny.

Procopius' Account: Angles and Frisians in Britain (~550 AD)

External Perspective

Procopius, a Byzantine historian, offers a secondary perspective through his work. Although not firsthand, his accounts, derived from Frankish emissaries accompanied by Angles, add depth to the understanding of British-Saxon dynamics.

"Procopius doesn't use the term Saxons at all. He describes the residents of Britain as Britons, Angles and Frisians." ([Transcript Segment])

Implications of the Account

His description introduces the presence of specific Germanic groups—Angles and Frisians—in Britain, complementing earlier sources that primarily mention Saxons.

Later Sources: Bede and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (8th-10th Centuries)

Bede's Ecclesiastical History (731 AD)

Bede, known as the venerable Bede, authored The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He provides a more structured account of the Anglo-Saxon invasion, assigning specific dates and detailing the origins of various Anglo-Saxon groups—Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—and their respective settlements in Britain.

"From the Jutes are descended the people of Kent and of the Isle of Wight... From the Saxons, that is, the country which we now call Old Saxony, came the East Saxons, the South Saxons and the West Saxons." ([Transcript Segment])

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (circa 900 AD)

Compiled starting around 900 AD, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle builds upon Bede’s narrative, offering annual records of events. While invaluable, it also relies heavily on earlier sources, inheriting both their strengths and limitations.

Conclusion: The Gradual Overthrow and Lingering Questions

Widespread Conquest

By the time of these accounts, it's evident that the Anglo-Saxon invasion was a protracted process, marked by gradual settlement and consolidation of power rather than a single, decisive event.

Legacy of Britons

A key debate arises around the fate of the native Celtic-speaking Britons. While earlier historians posited a near-total eradication, modern linguistic and genetic research suggests a more nuanced assimilation into Anglo-Saxon society.

"Gildas suggests the former, that they were basically wiped out within the regions occupied by the Saxons. But as we'll see, modern evidence suggests that this view may be an exaggeration." ([Transcript Segment])

Looking Ahead

Kevin hints at future episodes that will explore the sophisticated interplay between the remaining Britons and the Anglo-Saxons, particularly focusing on the linguistic legacy of the Celtic speakers in medieval England.

Notable Quotes and Attributions

• Kevin Stroud on the Lost Centuries:
  "These two centuries are sometimes called the lost centuries of British history because so little is known about what happened with any certainty." (00:10)

• Gildas on Inviting the Saxons:
  "As a protection to their country, they sealed its doom by inviting in among them, like wolves into the sheepfold, the fierce and impious Saxons." ([Transcript Segment])

• Bede's Settlement Details:
  "From the Jutes are descended the people of Kent and of the Isle of Wight... From the Saxons, that is, the country which we now call Old Saxony, came the East Saxons, the South Saxons and the West Saxons." ([Transcript Segment])

Final Thoughts

Episode 29 of The History of English Podcast meticulously navigates through fragmentary historical records and archaeological findings to construct a coherent narrative of the Anglo-Saxon invasion. Kevin Stroud adeptly balances available evidence with scholarly interpretation, highlighting both the progress made in understanding this critical juncture in English history and the enduring mysteries that continue to fascinate historians and linguists alike.