Timeline of British history (before 1000) facts for kids

Have you ever wondered what life was like in Britain a very long time ago? This article is like a special timeline, showing you the most important events that happened in British history before the year 1000 AD. It covers everything from when the Romans arrived to when Vikings sailed to its shores, and even the birth of Scotland!

Britain's Early History: Before 1000 AD

The Roman Era in Britain

• 43 AD: The powerful Roman Empire decided to invade Britain. Their leader, Emperor Claudius, sent a large army of about 40,000 soldiers, led by Aulus Plautius.
• 60 AD: A major rebellion started against the Roman rulers. This uprising was led by Boudica, a brave queen of the Iceni tribe.
• Around 84 AD: Roman soldiers fought and defeated the Caledonians at the Mons Graupius battle in what is now Scotland.
• 122 AD: Construction began on Hadrian's Wall. This famous wall was built across northern England to protect the Roman lands from tribes to the north.
• 142 AD: Another wall, the Antonine Wall, started being built further north in Scotland.
• Around 383 AD: The Roman Empire began to pull its soldiers out of Britain.
• 410 AD: The last Roman soldiers left Britain. They told the people to defend themselves from invaders, as Rome itself was under attack from groups like the Goths.

After the Romans: New Kingdoms and Invaders

• 449 AD: Hengest, a leader of the Saxon people, arrived in England. This marked the beginning of new groups settling in Britain.
• Around 466 AD: The Battle of Wippedesfleot took place, though not much is known about it.
• 597 AD: St. Augustine arrived in England. He came to spread Christianity and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
• 793 AD: Vikings, fierce warriors from Scandinavia, launched their first major raid on Lindisfarne, a monastery on an island off the coast of England. This marked the start of the Viking Age in Britain.
• 802 AD: Vikings attacked and robbed the monastery on Iona, an important religious site in Scotland.
• 843 AD: The Kingdom of Scotland was formed. This happened when the Picts and the Scots united under one ruler.
• 878 AD: The Battle of Ethandun was fought. Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex, defeated the Viking forces. This led to the Treaty of Wedmore and the creation of the Danelaw, an area in England where Viking laws and customs were followed.
• 895 AD: King Alfred the Great captured a large Danish fleet, showing his strength against the Vikings.

More to Explore

• British Iron Age
• Early Middle Ages
• Timeline of British history
• History of the British Isles
• History of England
• History of Ireland
• History of Northern Ireland
• History of Scotland
• History of Wales
• History of the United Kingdom
• Prehistory