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Anglo-Saxon Britain Introduction

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Anglo-Saxon Britain Introduction

Read the information, study the illustration and try the activities. Use clues from the text to support your answers.

Britain after the Romans

Roman rule in Britain ended around 410 CE, when Roman troops and officials withdrew. Britain was not empty: Britons already lived there, and different groups held power in different areas. Over the following centuries, people from across the North Sea migrated to Britain. Among them were Angles, Saxons and Jutes, whose homelands were in places that are now parts of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. Some came in search of land and opportunities; others may have come for different reasons. There was migration, settlement and also conflict. Over time, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms grew in parts of Britain. Their languages and customs influenced the country, and the English language developed partly from their languages.

Clues in the timeline

The dates are approximate. Migration and change took place over time, not all on one day.

Around 410 CE Roman rule ends in Britain

5th century More people migrate from across the North Sea

Over time Anglo-Saxon kingdoms grow in parts of Britain

Investigate the evidence

Answer using the passage and timeline. For questions asking you to explain, give a reason or evidence.

1.Which groups are named in the passage as part of the migration to Britain?

2.Choose the best answer: What happened around 410 CE?

Roman rule in Britain ended as Roman troops and officials withdrew.
The first Anglo-Saxon kingdom was founded.
All people left Britain.
The English language was fully formed.

3.True or false? Britain was empty after the Romans withdrew. Use one detail from the passage to support your choice.

TrueFalse

4.Complete the sentence with the words from the passage: The Angles, Saxons and Jutes came from places across the Sea.

5.Match each word to its meaning.

Migration
Settlement
Kingdom

A place where people make homes and live
An area ruled by a king or queen
People moving from one place to another

6.Put these events in time order by writing 1, 2 and 3: Anglo-Saxon kingdoms grow; Roman rule ends; more people migrate from across the North Sea.

7.The passage says people may have come in search of land and opportunities. Name one other reason people might migrate, and explain your idea.

8.Imagine you are a Briton seeing newcomers arrive by boat. Write one feeling you might have and give a reason. There can be more than one sensible answer.

9.Name one way Anglo-Saxon settlement influenced Britain, according to the passage.