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Year 5 - History

The Anglo-Saxons come to Britain

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 explain how the Angles, Saxons and Jutes came to Britain.

Key Notes

  • While the Picts and Scots attacked Roman Britain by land, seaborne Germanic invaders began to attack the east coast.
  • The Romans left Britain in 410 CE due to problems elsewhere in the empire and they could no longer maintain control.
  • With no Romans to defend Britain, Angles, Saxons and Jutes increased their attacks from the sea, pouring into Britain.
  • These Germanic tribes wanted to migrate to and settle in Britain because of its rich farmland.
  • Anglo-Saxons were able to defeat the Britons because they were skilled and experienced warriors with fearsome weapons.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • migrate: to migrate is to move from one place to another
  • seaborne: seaborne people are those that transport or travel by sea
  • fearsome: someone who is fearsome is frightening or terrifying

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The Anglo-Saxons are called that because only Angles and Saxons came to Britain.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

While the Picts and Scots attacked Roman Britain by land, seaborne Germanic invaders began to attack the east coast. The Romans left Britain in 410 CE due to problems elsewhere in the empire and they could no longer maintain control.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'migrate'

to migrate is to move from one place to another.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The Anglo-Saxons are called that because only Angles and Saxons came to Britain. Correction: 'Anglo-Saxon' is a term historians use to describe all the groups of tribes who came to Britain from Europe around this time.

More Lessons In This Unit

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