Antiquity Historical immigration to Great Britain

1 antiquity

1.1 roman empire
1.2 anglo-saxons
1.3 scots
1.4 irish

antiquity

for settlement/invasion of great britain before arrival of romans see article prehistoric settlement of great britain , ireland

roman empire

the first roman invasion of great britain led julius caesar in 55 bc; second, year later in 54 bc. romans had many supporters among celtic tribal leaders, agreed pay tribute rome in return roman protection. romans returned in ad 43, led emperor claudius, time establishing control, , establishing province of britannia. oppressive rule, gradually new leaders gained firmer hold on new territory @ 1 point stretched south coast of england wales , far away southern scotland.

over 400 years of roman occupation of britain, majority of settlers soldiers garrisoned on mainland. constant contact rome , rest of romanised europe through trade , industry elite native britons adopted roman culture , customs, though majority in countryside little affected.

the capital city of londonium ethnically diverse city inhabitants across roman empire, including natives of britannia, continental europe, middle east, , north africa. there cultural diversity in other roman-british towns, sustained considerable migration, both within britannia , other roman territories, including north africa, roman syria, eastern mediterranean, , continental europe. out of roman britain s estimated 3 million population, urban population 240,000 people, londinium having estimated 60,000 people.

anglo-saxons

germanic (frankish) mercenaries employed in gaul roman empire , speculated in similar manner, germanic immigrants britain arrived @ invitation of ruling classes. in post-roman period traditional division angles, saxons , jutes (anglo-saxons) first seen in historia ecclesiastica gentis anglorum bede, historical , archæological research has shown wider range of germanic peoples coast of frisia, lower saxony, jutland , southern sweden moved britain in era.

after withdrawal of last roman soldiers britain in 5th century, number of newcomers increased, , speculated relations ruling romanised britons became strained. 449, open conflict had broken out, , immigrants began establish own kingdoms in become heptarchy.

scots

during 5th century, dál riatan scots started raiding north-western britain base in north-east ireland. after roman withdrawal, developed piracy full-scale invasion and, within hundred years, had established kingdom in argyll.

irish

from prehistory present, there has been continuous process of movement of people across irish sea between islands of ireland , great britain. tide has varied on centuries in response politics, economics , social conditions of both places, has predominantly flowed ireland britain. today, millions of residents of great britain either island of ireland or have irish ancestry.