2. There is a certain generalization about
British people. A real British person has
some special traits that distinguish him
from the representatives of other nations.
But what does it mean to be «а real
British»? It is a rather difficult question.
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3. The British Isles has been undergone
several invasions during their history. All
the invaders have left their own prominent
marks in history, architecture and culture.
Let`s look through the history of the
invasions and analyze their meaning.
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4. The Invasion of the Celtic
Tribes
After 700 B.C. Britain was invaded
by the tribes named the Celts.
These tribes came from Central
Europe. For more than 500 years
the Celtic culture had established
itself throughout the British Isles.
But they came in three distinct
waves. The Gaels, the Brythons,
the Belgaes.
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5. The Celts were warlike people. The clans
constantly quarreled much with each
other. Their love for war made them
vulnerable. When the enemies came to
their land, the Celts clans and tribes
couldn't stop fighting with each other to
put up a well-knit front. And they couldn`t
protect themselves separately.
As the result, they lost the control over
Britain.
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6. The Invasion of the Romans
So in 55 B.C the first raid of the Romans
under Julius Caesar came to Britain.
In 43 A.D. Britain was occupied by the
Romans under the Emperor Claudius.
The Romans were very persistent in
conquering the whole island. And
almost had no difficulties with it thank to
the permanent Celtic tribes` fighting
among themselves.
The Romans established a Romano-
British culture across the southern part of
Britain. This part was included in the
empire.
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7. The Romans ruled the country for almost
400 years. In IV century the weakening of
the Roman Empire started. The power of
the Romans was losing its position and
stability. It was obvious for other claimers
to these territories.
The Anglo-Saxon tribes started their raids
to the land of the British Isles taking the
advantage of the weakening of the
Romans. The Romans had to leave Britain.
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8. The Invasion of the Anglo-
Saxons
In the 5-6th centuries these tribes
came shortly after the Roman
legions left Britain forever.
Nowadays we know that there were
three main tribes – Angles, Saxons
and Jutes.
Unlike the Romans, the Anglo-
Saxons never went back to their
native lands. They stayed in Britain.
So, many people living in Britain
today have Anglo Saxon roots.
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9. The Anglo-Saxons established 7 kingdoms:
Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, Sussex,
Kent, Essex, East Anglia. During the Anglo-
Saxons` invasion the larger part of Britain
got its new name – England (the land the
Angles).
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10. The importance of Anglo-Saxon culture is
obvious even in our modern life. For
example, several days of the week were
named after Germanic gods.
Besides, new place-names appeared on
the map.
So we may say that Britain got the
rudiments of its nation-building in this
period in particular.
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11. The Invasion of the Vikings
In 856 the Vikings appeared on the
territory of modern Great Britain
eager to invade this generous land.
The Vikings or the Danes were the
Scandinavian warriors.
They invaded Britain in the 8th to
10th centuries. Their rule was
recognized in the east and north of
England.
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12. The Norman Conquest of
England
The Norman conquest of England
began on 28 September 1066.
The Norman Conquest was a defining
moment in English history. It almost
completely removed the native ruling
class, replacing it externally imposed,
French-speaking monarchy,
aristocracy, and clerical hierarchy.
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13. Nowadays the United Kingdom is the
home for four different but very closely
connected nationalities: the English, the
Scotch, the Welsh and the Irish.
But all of them are the great mix of those
people, who had been living on their
lands during the gradual foundation of
their national identity.
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