Which group commenced their invasion and subjugation of southwestern Britain around the year 450 ?
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Answer: C. the Anglo-Saxons
Explanation
Germanic tribes including the Angles and Saxons initiated their invasion around the mid fifth century. These warrior groups crossed the North Sea to conquer and settle southwestern parts of Britain. Their sustained military campaigns fundamentally transformed the linguistic and cultural landscape of the island. The Roman legions had previously withdrawn from Britain, leaving the local populations vulnerable to outside attacks. Historical chroniclers often refer to this turbulent migration period as the beginning of the Dark Ages. The newcomers gradually established several distinct kingdoms that eventually united into Anglo-Saxon England.
This foundational invasion gave rise to Old English, the earliest historical phase of our national language. Modern historical research combines archaeological discoveries with ancient texts to understand these population shifts. Place names across the modern British landscape still bear direct evidence of this early Germanic settlement. The Normans arrived much later in history, launching their famous successful conquest in 1066. The Geats were a Scandinavian tribe famously featured in the Old English epic poem Beowulf. The Danes arrived centuries later during the Viking expansion period to raid and settle northern regions.
- Subject
- English
- Category
- English Literature
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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