Constantius II, 337-361

358-370 'Storm' of twelve earthquakes devastates parts of Turkey, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Sicily, Greece, centred on Crete where parts of shore-line rise by 6 metres in one event. This phenomenon appears to be cyclical, previous neolithic events having probably given rise to Libyan and other migrations to Greece and as far away as Ireland, thus explaining similarities in pre-patriarchal mythologies with attendant frequent contact between far-flung communities supporting these.

359 British bishops at Council of Rimini (3 attending council of Arles, 314).

Julian, 360-363

360 Lupicinus sent to repel raids of Picts and Scots.

Jovian, 363-364

Division of Empire into East and West

Valentinian I and Valens, with Gratian from 367, 364-375

364 Serious raids by Picts, Scots, Attacotti and Saxon pirates.

367 Disastrous invasion by Picts, Scots and Attacotti. Hadrian's Wall overthrown by treachery. Saxon raids. Franks attack gaul. Celtic pagan revival about this time (Lydney, etc).

369 Valentinian sends Count Theodosius to restore order, imperial rule restored, but henceforth a rapid decline of towns and villa economy. Hadrian's Wall defences roughly rebuilt and many of the coastal signal stations constructed.

Valens, Gratian and Valentinian II, 375-378

Theodosius I (the Great) reigned with Gratian and Valentinian II from 378 to 383; with Valentinian II and Arcadius from 383 to 392; and with Arcadius and Honorius from 392 until his death in 395

383 Magnus Maximus (the 'Prince Macsen' of Welsh and Cornish legend), commander in Britain (proclaimed emperor by British army), seizes power in Britain, Gaul and Spain. Hadrian's Wall overrun and this time not re-occupied.

387 Maximus moves British troops to the Continent.

388 Maximus defeated and killed by Theodosius at Aquileia, but British link with Empire remains weakened.

Honorius, 395-423

395 Niall, High King of Ireland, sacks cities of western Britain. Stilicho carries out some reorganisation in Britain. With Rome in danger from Alaric and the Goths, troops gradually withdrawn and usurpers appear in Britain.

399 Stilicho clears Britain of barbarians (the first 'rescue' described by Gildas?).

First half of 5th century

Cunedda, from the north, takes over a large part of Wales. Other chieftains in western and northern Britain claim succession to imperial power. Missionary and literary activity by British Christians. St Ninian converts some of the Picts. Pelagius teaches in Rome (denying doctrine of original sin). Possible settlement of monks or hermits in Glastonbury area.

402 Stilicho withdraws troops from Britain.

405? Niall killed at sea. Irish threat to Britain henceforth much reduced, though Irish settlers remain, eg; in south Wales.

406 Constantine III attempts to hold Gaul and Spain with the aid of troops from Britain.

407 Constantine (the 'Benigeit Custennin' of Welsh legend, and king of Britain in Geoffrey of Monmouth) proclaimed emperor by British army. Goes to Gaul taking most of the remaining regular forces.

410 Great Saxon attack on Britain. The regional councils or civitates rebel against Constantine. Britain autonomous within the Empire; provisional de facto recognition by Emperor Honorius who advises civitates of Britain to look to their own defences.

411 Constantine killed.

418? Possible imperial expedition to Britain and partial re-occupation (the second 'rescue' described by Gildas?).

421 Agricola introduces Pelagian doctrine into Britain.

425 No imperial forces or administration in Britain after this date. Vortigern probably beginning to rise to prominence. Saxons in Cambridgeshire.

429 Defeat of combined raids by Picts and Saxons. St Germanus in Britain to combat Pelagianism, apparently favoured by Vortigern's 'Celtic' party.

432? St Patrick begins his Irish mission.

440 Extensive Saxon raiding.

446 Unsuccessful appeal of civitates to Aėtius (according to Gildas).

447 Vortigern predominant. Second visit of St Germanus (possibly a little earlier than this date).

450 Angles, Saxons and Jutes settling in Thanet and elsewhere about this time as auxillary troops, with Vortigern's permission.

455? Hengist seizing territory in Kent. Battle of Aylesford.

457? Battle of Crayford. General Anglo-Saxon revolt about this time and sacking of lowland Britain. Flight of refugees to Armorica (which thus begins to become 'Brittany') and to Spain. Collapse of British economy.

461? Death of Vortigern. After this, a gradual British recovery under the remnant of the Romanised citizenry led by Ambrosius.

470 Seaborne British army joins Armorica settlers in campaign to restore authority of Emperor Anthemius in Gaul. Ambrosius' counter-offensive against Anglo-Saxons beginning now or a little later. Faustus, a British bishop, perhaps a son of Vortigern, prominent in Gaul. British Church now virtually cut off but regaining vigour.

477? Aelle, the South Saxon leader, lands near Selsey.

Sources:

Geoffrey Ashe: 'The Quest for Arthur's Britain', 1968
Edward Gibbon: 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire',
Joan Liversidge: 'Britain in the Roman Empire', 1968

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