Celtic Britons

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== Celtic Britons ==

The Celtic Britons were an ancient Celtic people who inhabited Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Common Brittonic language, which evolved into the modern Brythonic languages: Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.

History

The Celtic Britons are believed to have migrated to Britain from mainland Europe during the Iron Age. They established various tribal kingdoms and societies, which were later documented by Roman historians. The most notable tribes included the Iceni, Brigantes, and Silures.

Roman Britain

The Roman conquest of Britain began in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius. The Romans encountered fierce resistance from several Celtic tribes, most famously led by Boudica, queen of the Iceni. Despite initial resistance, the Romans established control over much of Britain, integrating the Celtic Britons into the Roman Empire.

Post-Roman Period

After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early 5th century, the Celtic Britons faced invasions from the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. This period saw the formation of several sub-Roman kingdoms, such as Dumnonia, Gwynedd, and Strathclyde.

Culture

The Celtic Britons had a rich cultural heritage, characterized by their Celtic art, Celtic mythology, and Druidic religious practices. They were skilled in metalwork, pottery, and agriculture. Their social structure was tribal, with a strong emphasis on kinship and warrior aristocracy.

Language

The Common Brittonic language was the precursor to the modern Brythonic languages. It was widely spoken across Britain until the Anglo-Saxon invasions, which led to the decline of Brittonic in favor of Old English in many areas.

Legacy

The legacy of the Celtic Britons is still evident in modern Britain, particularly in Wales, Cornwall, and parts of Scotland. The Welsh and Cornish languages are direct descendants of Common Brittonic, and many place names in Britain have Celtic origins.

Related Pages

• Iron Age
• Roman Britain
• Brythonic languages
• Druid
• Boudica
• Angles
• Saxons
• Jutes
• Sub-Roman Britain
• Dumnonia
• Gwynedd
• Strathclyde