The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion
I can explain why Christianity declined in Britain when the Romans left.
The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion
I can explain why Christianity declined in Britain when the Romans left.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- As the Romans were leaving Britain c.410CE, groups of people called the Angles, Saxons and Jutes began to migrate there.
- These Anglo-Saxons were pagan and polytheistic: they were not Christian.
- As they began to dominate Britain, Christianity declined in areas where they settled.
- This process was probably helped by the fact that many Britons had not fully embraced Christianity under Roman rule.
- For example, at Lullingstone, a pagan shrine built before the chapel was still being used after the chapel was built.
Keywords
Anglo-Saxons - the Anglo-Saxons are a group of people formed of the Angle, Saxon and Jutes tribes
Pagan - pagan means a religion other than one of the main world religions
Polytheistic - to be polytheistic means to believe in many different gods and goddesses
Shrine - a shrine is a place regarded as holy
Common misconception
Pupils may think all Britons became pagans.
It is likely that some Britons adopted pagan beliefs when the Anglo-Saxons settled. Some may have continued to follow Christianity.
To help you plan your year 5 history lesson on: The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 history lesson on: The impact of the Romans' withdrawal on religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Britain after the Romans: how did Christianity survive in the British Isles? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
When someone has changed their religious faith or other belief.
A group of people that are regarded as superior in terms of ability.
The beginning of Christ’s name in Greek.
A small building or room used for Christian worship.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
to follow a religion other than one of the main religions
to believe in many different gods and goddesses