Britishness and IdentityThe Population’s Origins

The Celts

About 2000 years BC the pre-Celtic peoples (later called the Iberians) lived in England where they had already reached the Bronze and Iron Age.

During about the seventh century BC, the Celts arrived from Northen Europe and subdued the Iberians.

A second wave of Celts, called Britons, came in the fourth century and settled in the South West and West.

The Roman Conquest

Julius Caesar invaded Britain twice in 55 and 54 BC, but only his second expedition was successful.

Britain remained independent.

Only in 43BC the country was entirely conquered under Emperor Claudius.

All the territory was subdued except Scotland therefore to defend Roman Britain a wall was erected by Emperor Hadrian.

The Germanic Invasion

New invaders took the place of the Romans whose civilization was wiped out in 409 AD, the Angles and Saxons.

In the 9th century the Danes invaded England, but King Alfred of Wessex defeated them.

King Alfred was a great king.

He was succeeded first by Edward the Confessor then by king Harold.

The Normans

1066 William Duke of Normandy defeated Harold of Essex during the battle of Hastings and became the new king.

After his victory he was named William the Conqueror

Today’s populations

The reasons of immigration.

Internal immigration and foreign immigration.

Tensions and problems

Watch the film extract about Soho

What do you learn about:

Why the area is named Soho?

Its location and what you can find in the area?

Berwick Street Market?

The atmosphere?

The different communities in Soho?

Famous people who lived there?