Britain as the Romans left
Today I can explain what changed in Britain as the Romans left, and where the Scots came from.
A Look back3 min
- 1.
The Romans came to Britain in 43 CE. In 122 CE, a Roman emperor ordered a great wall across the north. Who was he?
- 2.
Which group of peoples lived in Britain before the Romans came? Write one word.
- 3.
Fill the gap in this chain of ages.
B Watch me, then you4 min
In 367 CE, Picts from the north and Scots from Ireland attacked Roman Britain. In 401 CE, the last Roman soldiers left Hadrian's Wall. What changed for Britain?
Find 367 and 401 on the timeline. The attack came first.
Roman soldiers had guarded Britain against raids like this one.
After 401 the soldiers had gone, so Britain had to protect itself.
- 1.
After 401 CE, who had to guard Britain's towns? Circle your answer.
the Britons themselvesthe Roman armythe Picts
C Your turn8 min
Use the timelines and dates to answer each question about Britain as the Romans left.

- 1.
Picts and Scots attacked in 367 CE. Were Roman soldiers still guarding Britain then? Circle your answer.
YesNo - 2.
In 410 CE, Honorius told Britain's cities to defend themselves. Why did they now need to do this?
- 3.
Put these events in order, earliest first. Write 1, 2 and 3 in the boxes.
- Honorius writes to cities (410 CE)
- Picts and Scots attack (367 CE)
- Last soldiers leave the wall (401 CE)
- 4.
Roman towns and villas were built mostly on flat lowland farmland. Wales and Scotland are mostly hills and mountains. Which region had mainly Romano-British life when the Romans left?
South-East EnglandScotlandWales
Say it out loud: Which questions needed the timeline, and which needed you to explain? What changed for Britain?
D Spot the mistake3 min

- 1.
Write what is true about where the Scots tribe came from.
E Think deeper4 min

- 1.
Britain was a patchwork when Rome left. Explain why, using one region with Roman-style life and one with strong Celtic life.