Invasions from foreign lands have shaped many countries' cultural landscape throughout history. The invasions by Saxons and Scots, in particular, have led to a cultural decay, specifically in Britain, during the early Middle Ages.
For Britain, The Dark Ages (as commonly referred to) presented great upheaval and change. During this time, the Roman Empire had fallen. The Roman Empire had previously provided a sense of stability and cultural unity, but now, a vacuum has been left behind.
This vacuum opened the door for new players to enter the scene: the Saxons and the Scots. The Saxons were a Germanic tribe that began their invasions around the fifth century, starting from (now) Denmark and northern Germany. Their invasions undoubtedly brought with them their own social structures, languages, and religious beliefs. The Anglo-Saxon culture that had now been established was very different from the Celtic-Roman amalgamation that had been prevalent before their arrival.
Simultaneously, in the north, the Scots were also making their presence known. The Scots originated from Ireland but now settled in the northwest of Britain, known today as Scotland. Like the Saxons, the Scots also brought their own Gaelic culture and language.
Erik Hildinger's "Quirinius" is a historical fiction novel set in 440–491 AD Britain – a time when Britain got cut off from the Western Roman Empire. The protagonist, Flavius Quirinius, is a provincial Roman noble who raises an army to defend against Saxon marauders. In one instance, he encounters Saxon raiders as he and his army journey to the desolate Hadrian's Wall.
Where did these Saxon marauders come from?
Through invasions!
When you go into specific detail about the history of this period, you will understand that the invasion by the Saxons and the Scots had a profound impact on the existing culture. Why? Firstly, the invaders did not seek to integrate or assimilate into the existing society. Instead, they wanted to impose their own culture, language, and legal systems – thus, the battles prevailed. And so did a cultural decay of the existing Celtic-Roman culture.
You also have to understand that the cultural decay was not just limited to language and lifestyle. It also influenced the spiritual beliefs of the people, undergoing dramatic change. In fact, it would also be safe to say that the invasions replaced one culture with another.
If you are interested in learning more about how foreign invasions by Saxons and Scots led to cultural decay, "Quirinius" by Erik Hildinger is the book for you. It will help you understand how the invasions transformed the cultural landscape and profoundly impacted Britain's cultural identity while following an exciting storyline and rich characters.
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