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Year 5 - History

Britain at the end of Roman rule

Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons: what changed after the Romans left?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils focus on what changed in Britain after the Romans left. They learn about the coming of the Anglo-Saxons and the rise of Mercia. Pupils end the unit by analysing what had changed after the Romans left Britain.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the different groups that lived in the British Isles at the end of Roman rule in Britain.

Key Notes

  • In 367 CE, the Scots from Ireland and Picts from Scotland came together to attack Roman Britain but were defeated.
  • In 401 CE, the last Roman legionaries left Hadrian's Wall, built over 200 years before to protect the northern frontier.
  • Much of south-east England and the Midlands had a Romano-British culture.
  • Wales and the north and south-west of England had less Romanisation.
  • Scotland was mostly controlled by the Celtic Picts.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Hadrian's Wall: Hadrian's Wall was a long wall the Romans built in the north of England to defend it from Celtic tribes
  • frontier: a frontier is the edge of a place where people live or the border of a state or an empire's land
  • Romanisation: Romanisation is when people started living and acting like the Romans did
  • Romano-British: Romano-British culture is a mix of Roman and old British ways of living

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may believe the Scots tribe were originally from Scotland.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

In 367 CE, the Scots from Ireland and Picts from Scotland came together to attack Roman Britain but were defeated. In 401 CE, the last Roman legionaries left Hadrian's Wall, built over 200 years before to protect the northern frontier.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Hadrian's Wall'

Hadrian's Wall was a long wall the Romans built in the north of England to defend it from Celtic tribes.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Pupils may believe the Scots tribe were originally from Scotland. Correction: The Scots tribe originated from Ireland but the name 'Scotland' comes from the tribe after they migrated there.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 History guide library.