The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion
I can explain why Christianity declined in Britain when the Romans left.
- Year 5
The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion
I can explain why Christianity declined in Britain when the Romans left.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- As the Romans were leaving Britain c.410CE, groups of people called the Angles, Saxons and Jutes began to migrate there.
- These Anglo-Saxons were pagan and polytheistic: they were not Christian.
- As they began to dominate Britain, Christianity declined in areas where they settled.
- This process was probably helped by the fact that many Britons had not fully embraced Christianity under Roman rule.
- For example, at Lullingstone, a pagan shrine built before the chapel was still being used after the chapel was built.
Keywords
Anglo-Saxons - the Anglo-Saxons are a group of people formed of the Angle, Saxon and Jutes tribes
Pagan - pagan means a religion other than one of the main world religions
Polytheistic - to be polytheistic means to believe in many different gods and goddesses
Shrine - a shrine is a place regarded as holy
Common misconception
Pupils may think all Britons became pagans.
It is likely that some Britons adopted pagan beliefs when the Anglo-Saxons settled. Some may have continued to follow Christianity.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did Christianity begin?
Q2.Constantine saw a vision of which made him convert to Christianity.
Q3.The Roman mosaic found at Hinton St Mary dates back to which century?
Q4.The wall paintings at Lullingstone showed an image of ...
Q5.Match these keywords to their definitions
When someone has changed their religious faith or other belief.
A group of people that are regarded as superior in terms of ability.
The beginning of Christ’s name in Greek.
A small building or room used for Christian worship.
Q6.What evidence is there that Christianity was popular in the 4th century?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Romans left Britain in .
Q2.Which tribes made up the Anglo-Saxons?
Q3.Match these keywords to their definitions:
to follow a religion other than one of the main religions
to believe in many different gods and goddesses