Ancient Kingdoms in Britain Post-Roman Occupation

Following the end of Roman rule in Britain, Various regions experienced significant political fragmentation, leading to the formation of numerous kingdoms. This period laid the groundwork for the modern political entities of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Let’s explore the different kingdoms that emerged in Britain post-Roman occupation.

Britannia and its Varied Territories

Britannia, under Roman rule, was a vast and diverse region. It was not immediately divided into modern-like kingdoms in the post-Roman era. Instead, it encompassed territories that eventually became England, Wales, and a part of modern Scotland. The Romans largely left this territorial structure intact as they withdrew in the early 5th century.

The Roman withdrawal left behind a fragmented landscape. England and Wales were made up of numerous smaller kingdoms, many of which retained their own distinct identities and rulers. These kingdoms were generally areas where the Roman influence had been strong, and the local populations were more likely to maintain their own governance systems.

The Saxon Invasions and the Heptarchy

Following the Romans, the Saxons invaded Britain around the 6th century. Their invasion began in the early 5th century and culminated in the establishment of several small kingdoms that formed the basis of Anglo-Saxon England. By the mid-7th century, these fragmented kingdoms had coalesced into seven major power centers, forming what is known as the Heptarchy. The seven kingdoms of the Heptarchy were:

Northumbria: This kingdom covered the north, including parts of modern-day Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Durham. Mercia: Dominated central England, stretching from the Humber to the Welsh border. East Anglia: Located in the Fens of East Anglia. Essex: Ruled from the eastern county. Kent: Located in the southeast, it was one of the most powerful kingdoms. Sussex: Conquered from the Britons, it had its capital in what is now the Brighton area. Wessex: Emerging as the dominant force in the late 7th century, it later became dominant under figures like Alfred the Great.

Note that Northumbria, the kingdom which once encompassed northern England, also encompassed parts of what is now Scotland before the Scots conquered Northumbria. Wales, Cornwall, and Scotland remained independent of Saxon rule.

The Emergence of New Kingdoms

Besides the Heptarchy, other kingdoms emerged in different parts of Britain, using different political and cultural models. For instance:

Rheged emerged in the northwest, in what is now Cumbria and bordering Scotland. Cornwall had its own unique regional identity and was not controlled by the Heptarchy. Powys was a kingdom in eastern Wales that flourished during the Merovingian period. Y Gododdin was a Celtic kingdom around Edinburgh that existed until around the 7th century. Elmet was a kingdom centered around Leeds, which fell under Northumbrian influence in the 6th century.

The Picts, a group in the north, also formed a kingdom that eventually merged with the Kingdom of the Scots in the 9th century.

The Evolution of Governance

As the Roman Withdrawal occurred, many of the civitates, or self-governing communities, evolved into small kingdoms. The lineages of the Roman-era municipal elites became the royal families, leading to the establishment of dynastic rule in these new kingdoms. This period was marked by a blend of Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norman influences, creating a rich tapestry of political and cultural interaction.

The legacy of these early kingdoms played a critical role in shaping the modern political entities of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Understanding their origins and the political landscape can provide valuable insights into the complex history of these regions.