Dark Age Isles Summary
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Dark Age Isles Summary By Matt Schwoebel Dark Age Isles: Rome, Arthur, and the New West (337-686 A.D.) is a heuristic, generational, geographic history of the Dark Age period in the Isles – Britain (England, Scotland, & Wales), Ireland, and Brittany (Armorica) including adjacent areas of Gaul/Francia. Contents: I. Introduction to Dark Age Isles Myth and Reality Page 2 II. Seven Cultural-Historical Phases Page 4 III. Generation Timeline Page 7 1 © Matt Schwoebel I. Introduction to Dark Age Isles Myth and Reality The period and place covered by this book represent one of the least enlightened by surviving written records from the Dark Ages. Between 337 A.D. and 686 A.D, the reasonably integrated Roman province of Britannia became an early form of England (or Angleland) divided into multiple kingdoms. The imperial language of Latin (in its vulgar form) was no longer spoken. Unusually in former western imperial lands a native language, Brythonic Celtic (Welsh), AND a conqueror language, Anglo-Saxon (English), arose to replace Latin. This linguistic situation is unique with Basque (Euskara) being the only other pre-Roman native survivor. Elsewhere a Latin dialect prevailed or a Germanic or Slavic conqueror language replaced it. There are eight myths listed below that will be addressed by this book. It will describe seven main cultural-historical phases between the death of Emperor Constantine the Great in 337 A.D. and the death of the last Pagan Saes king in 686 A.D. (along with the great Pict victory the year before). The main portion of the book will describe the changing situation in Britannia (England & Wales), Hibernia (Ireland), Caledonia (Pictland/Scotland), and an extended Armorica (Brittany) generation by generation. There are 14 generations each 25 years long covering a time period almost equivalent to the initial English settlements in the United States of America to the present day. This book will address several myths about this place and period. The Saes conquered lowland Britain in the 440’s/450’s during an initial rebellion. The early Saes came in large numbers and overwhelmed the Britons. Larger Briton political units fell apart in 410 after leaving the Empire. The Britons fled to Brittany (Armorica) and the continent, instead of choosing military migration like other peoples during this period for similar push and/or pull reasons. The initial Saes settlements abutted Anglo-Saxon solely with Brythonic Celtic (not Vulgar Latin). Arthur was a mythical king and not a historic Briton war leader. 2 © Matt Schwoebel There was only one important early ‘pull’ settlement phase for the Saes and not a more important second ‘push’ settlement phase motivated by Avar expansion. There are several peoples referenced in this book. Saes = the general term from Welsh for the various Germanic peoples who settled the Isles – Angles, Frisians, Geats, Jutes, and Saxons – with Anglo-Saxon reserved for their language. Many of these peoples maintained lands on the continent as well. Britons = the southern Brythonic Celtic speaking natives of the Isle of Britain influenced by Roman rule and strongest in western & northern Britannia including the intra-Vallum region (between Antonine’s and Hadrian’s Walls). Romano-Britons = the culturally romanized Britons prior to and just after the end of the empire, some of whom spoke Vulgar Latin, and were strongest in eastern & southern Britannia. Picts = the northern Brythonic Celtic speaking natives of the Isle of Britain beyond Roman rule, along with the Attecoti (possibly pre-Celtic speaking), in Caledonia or Pictavia. Scotti = the Irish settlers of northwestern Britain principally from northeastern Ireland (Ulaid) with some claiming descent from the oldest inhabitants, the Cruithne. Irish = the native inhabitants of Ireland with some settling in southwestern Britain from Laiglin (Leinster), Mide, and Muma (Munster) along with the other Coiced (fifths) of Connacta and Ulster. Armoricans = the Briton settlers of Armorica (Brittany) or Llydaw who intermixed with the Gallo- Roman natives and probably Alans. Gallo-Romans = the romanized, Vulgar Latin speaking natives of Gaul prior to and after the Frankish conquest. Franks = the Germanic conquerors of Gaul (Francia) with most settlement in the north of the diocese and eventually control of most of the former Roman dioceses and lands beyond. Other Continental Peoples = there were several peoples with less direct influence in the Isles – Alans (Iranian nomads), Avars (second wave Turko-Mongol nomads), Burgundians (Germanic conquerors of eastern Gaul), Huns (first wave Turko-Mongol nomads), Lombards (second wave conquerors of Italy), Ostrogoths (Goth conquerors of Italy), and Visigoths (Goth conquerors of Spain & southern France). Gaul = refers to the two Roman dioceses of Galliae and Viennensis (Septem Provinciae). West(ern) = praetorian prefecture of Gaul – Galliae, Viennensis, Britannia, and Hispania dioceses. Central = praetorian prefecture of Italia – 2 Italia, Illyria, and Africa dioceses. WRE and ERE = West Roman Empire and East Roman Empire. 3 © Matt Schwoebel II. Seven Cultural-Historical Phases There were seven cultural-historical phases changing “Roman Britannia” to “Saes Angleland”. They are summarized below. PHASE 1 – Late Roman Imperialism 337-404 (Generations 1, 2, early-3) Division between pro-Roman Empire and pro-Independence factions; Roman suppression of revolt by Magentius in Britannia; barbarian raids increased (Picts, Irish, Saes); Theodosius created new Roman field army for Britannia under Comes Britanniarum; rearming of favored western tribes (Cornovians & Dumnonians) by Magnus Maximus; closer ties/integration with inter-Vallum tribes; Magnus Maximus imperial bid defeated; Stilicho last major Roman military figure to visit Britannia, withdrew troops possibly beginning Briton immigration to Armorica as military colonists under Dux Tractus Armorica; urban center decline across empire as economic rewards for service becomes more imperial, less local; many villas abandoned for safety of fortified towns or forts after Barbarian Conspiracy; Christianity began to predominate in Britannia after slow progress; Saint Ninian of Candida Casa (Whithorn). PHASE 2 – Independence and Initial Settlement 405-448 (Generations early-3, 4, mid-5) Britons throw out Roman civil government; after early leadership failures, Constantine III intervened on continent (reaction against Rhine crossing); Constantine III’s imperial bid defeated; Britons divided along three factional lines – Vitalii (Valentia in the west), Ambrosii (Britannia Prima in the south), and Coelii (Britannia Secunda in the north) including Battle of Wallup (Vitalii defeated Ambrosii); Saes federates established in east and along Thames, especially by Vitalii (Vortigern); initial Pict successes checked by Coel Hen (Dux Britannia); Niall Noigiallach (Ard Ri) dominated northern half of Ireland & establishes two Ui Neill 4 © Matt Schwoebel dynasties; Eoganacta of Cashel conquered Munster/Muma; Briton expansion in Armorica (Bacudae), conflict with Roman forces under Aetius, Alans settled along border; urban centers continued slow decline, economic changes, villas gone; Catholic vs. Pelagianism faction conflict within Christianity in Britannia; Christian reaction against Paganism with temple destruction; Saints Palladius in Ireland and Germanus in Britannia. PHASE 3 – Rebellion and Conflict 449-491 (Generations mid-5, 6, early-7) Saes rebelled and Britons countered, fluid borderland in conflict; Flavia Caesariensis collapsed completely and carved up by incoming Angle Saes settlers (only large-scale settlement in this province); urban centers declined further & were repurposed, economy becomes more local; Briton military expeditions to continent (451 & 468-69), more Britons settled in Armorica; last imperial battles & end of Western Roman Empire; in Gaul, Romans collapsed and Franks & Visigoths succeeded them with Britons expanding Armorica eastwards (absorbed Alans); Irish province kings (coiced ri) more powerful after dual Ui Neill & Eoganacta prominence; Scotti Irish settlement in Dal Riada; rise of monasteries as Christian power centers over urban bishops in the Isles; Saints Patrick, Cadoc of Llancarfan, and Illtud of Llantwit Fawr including College of Theodosius (Cor Tewdws). PHASE 4 – Arthurian Dominance 492-517 (Generations early-7, early-8) Briton identity ascendant; forceful integration of three factions by Arthur; reduction of Romano- Briton identity as Western Roman Empire had failed, Christian clergy take mantle of ‘civilized’ Rome; Cymru (countrymen, companions, compatriots) identity established; Cerdic’s mixed regime in Gewis-Wessex; Saes temporarily marginalized after series of island-wide defeats by Arthur & his Briton allies (Mons Badon, etc.); intra-Briton conflict leads to Camlann & fall of Arthur; economy still supported elite trade with continent (amphorae); Clovis dominated Gaul defeating Visigoth challengers with Armorican Briton expansion checked; further Southern Ui Neill success in Ireland; Saints Brigid of Kildare, Dubricius of Ercyng (early), Finnian of Clonard, and Pedrog of Padstow. 5 © Matt Schwoebel PHASE 5 – Partition and the “Other” 518-559 (Generations early-8, end-9) Divided land with little cultural interchange or ‘partition’; identities of Saes as rightful settlers and Britons as Welsh (foreigners) established amongst Saes; plague hits Britons, reduced density, & without three factions’ leadership the Britons fracture further; more