When Rome Left England | History of the Middle Ages

Historians were pretty sure of the timeline of decline in Roman Britain until 2017. In that year an amazing discovery was made that re-wrote the history books for the 5th century in post-Roman Britain. Until this discovery, historians were certain that British life had declined and reverted to something more tribal during and after the Saxon Advent. However, a mosaic was discovered at Chedworth Roman villa in the modern day county of Gloucestershire. That mosaic has been positively dated to being laid around the mid 5th century, and certainly after 424 AD, and probably as late as 450 - 480 AD. That strongly suggests that Chedworth was occupied by a wealthy individual who was living a Roman lifestyle, and that artisans still existed who could manufacture and lay a mosaic floor. That further suggests that other artisans and tradesmen existed, but more importantly, it indicates that some form of Romano-British administration existed, along with a military force. That would tie-in with the famous Romano-British victory at the Battle of Badon around 500 AD, which held back the Saxon advance in the west for at least fifty years.

I was working in Gloucester area off and on for two years during the pandemic and my hotel was a short walk from the ruins of a Roman villa. Was pretty amazing that stuff like that was all over the place. An old structure in the Rocky Mountain region where I live is around a hundred years old. The depth and variety of history in the UK is pretty mesmerizing.

This was absolutely fantastic! What a true teacher!

I find it fascinating that Magnus Maximus appears in Welsh chronicles and histories and is said to have had a family connection to the very earliest Welsh kings.

I’ve watched all of this professor’s courses on Wondrium, I think she’s great.

Professor Paxton is the best. Her history of England from King Arthur to the Tudor conquest and 1066: The Year that Changed Everything are outstanding.

Thank you, sitting here at work in a warehouse in West London watching this film. Great work.

Well said and explained. Thank you.

Rome never left England. It left Britain.

Love this, a great lecture!

It’s pretty awesome that they had prefab mosaics. Had never heard that before. It’s like having access to target art.

I loved this presentation. All too often, presentations are like television programmes. In this case, the presenter/lecturer is highly literate and knowledgeable.

Great video, very informative

Excellent in form and content.

It’s confusing to me why Caesar’s expeditions to the island are often downplayed. He established the foundation on which the province was built by forming patronage relationships in the southeast where Rome ultimately gained its foothold with the assistance of local chieftains.

This was fantastic, and so well written and orated. The mention of "Pre-Fab" mosaics kind of cracked me up, it's funny to think of things of the ancient world that way, but as you said, a really interesting indication of the stratification of society. Thanks so much!

This is exceptionally engaging and clear on many levels, and I'm not even a native speaker.

What a terrific video! ⚔🙏

We truly have a LOT to thank the romans for. Amazing.

Thank you for this, it was a lot of good information.