Time Travel East

History

Evidence of human settlement in the East of England dates from the Paleolithic period (250,000 BC). The New Stone Age (or Neolithic period) from 4,500 BC, saw areas of forest cut back and cleared by the first farmers. They used axes made from mining the area´s abundant supply of flint (from the chalk) - such as at Grimes Graves. The population tended to concentrate in areas where the soil was relatively easily worked, such as Breckland in Norfolk and Suffolk. Around these areas, dense woodlands and extensive marshlands were natural barriers, with the region accessible by the prehistoric route (known today as the Icknield Way) which ran along the top of the chalk ridge.

The Bronze Age (2,300 to 700 BC) marked the growth of farming in the area, alongside the arrival of new settlers from overseas. Today a legacy of stone circles (Seahenge), hill forts (Maidenbower, nr. Dunstable) and ancient settlement sites (Flag Fen) are reminders of their existence.

The Romans arrived in AD43 - and remained for 400 years until 410. When they invaded, the country had been spilt into regions, each ruled by a tribe. The Iceni of Norfolk and North Suffolk had their capital at Caistor St. Edmund (nr. Norwich); whilst the Trinovantes of South Suffolk and parts of Essex had their capital at Camulodonum (Colchester). But the most dominant tribe were the Cantuvellauni who ruled over Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. They had major centres at Verulamium and Braughing (both in Hertfordshire).

During the Roman period, the area was divided into units with forts built around the coast (such as Burgh Castle, nr. Great Yarmouth). Colchester became the first Roman capital of Britain (it was later destroyed by the rebellion of the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudicca in AD61). Under the Romans, life was well organised, with thousands of miles of roads built in straight lines (many of today's routes still follow them) - connecting military forts and towns carefully sited in strategic and economic positions. Verulamium (now St. Albans) became the third city of Roman Britain - and is where Alban, the country's first martyr for the Christian faith, was executed in around the 3rd C.

The Roman Era

The withdrawl of the Romans left Britain vulnerable to invaders from the continent (Anglo-Saxons) - who from AD410-450 descended upon it's shores and moved inland to lay down much of the present day rural settlement pattern. They emigrated from what is now areas of Northern Germany and Denmark. It was the 'Angles' people, who gave their name to the region - the East Angles. Their Kingdom was made up of the North Folk (Norfolk) and South Folk (Suffolk). Neighbouring was Mercia, which included Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Whilst the 'East Saxons' settled around Colchester. By the 6th C. England was a series of separate Kingdoms each with its own royal dynasty. One of these was the Scandinavian 'Wuffingas' who had their headquarters at Rendlesham (nr. Woodbridge). It was Raedwald, one of the earliest English kings, who would yield to the brave Christian missionaries of the 7th C. Soon this new faith was flourishing in the region, with many new monasteries built. Raedwald's treasure-filled Anglo-Saxon ship burial was found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo.

This period from now to the Norman Conquest is often referred to as the Dark Ages. Pay a visit to the reconstructed village at West Stow which provides a good example of life at the time. Whilst the Devil's Dyke in Cambridgeshire is the largest Anglo-Saxon earthwork in England, running for about 8 miles in length. The first post-Roman town was founded at Ipswich (Gipeswic) around AD600.

Next in our story comes the Danes (or Vikings) who raided our shores from around 850-1066. Later a Winter headquarters was created from 869 at Thetford. The Danish army were allowed to settle in the region, and by the Norman Conquest, towns were thriving under their rule - such as Colchester, Norwich and Ipswich. They have left their legacy in the names of our towns and villages. Bury St. Edmunds is named after St. Edmund, the well-loved 7th C. King of the East Angles who was murdered by the Danes for his Christian faith. Another famous figure of the time, King Harold - who was killed at the Battle of Hastings - is reputedly buried at Waltham Abbey.

The Norman invasion of 1066 unified England once more - and in the following 400 years, spectacular stone castles, cathedrals and churches were constructed in the East of England. By the year 1200, vast estates of land were controlled by over 80 monasteries. The area of cultivated land was also greatly increased, and many new villages founded. The legendary Saxon (11th C.) hero, Hereward the Wake, was the last to hold out against the Norman invaders in 1071 - his
headquarters at Ely.

The Middle Ages (1154-1485) saw the start of the great cloth-making industry of the East of England. From the worsted cloth of Norfolk to the famous Suffolk Wool Towns - it's wealth is seen today in beautiful churches and timber-framed houses, which were endowed by the successful merchants. Other key events included the creation of The Broads - when old peat diggings became flooded; the University city of Cambridge was founded; and in Bury St. Edmunds, the Barons of England met in 1214 to force King John to sign the 'Magna Carta'. Medieval trading links forged with Northern European towns saw the flourishing Hanseatic League. Over in Hertfordshire, the Wars of the Roses (between two branches of the royal family - York and Lancaster) began with the first battle at St. Albans in 1455. Whilst it was in Essex that the Peasants Revolt (1381) was born - as the men of the county marched on London to petition their grievences.

During the Second World War, the East of England played an important role - it's flat landscape and proximity to Europe, excellent for the construction of airfields.