Dark Ages
The traditional date for the end of Roman rule in Britain is AD410. Roman rule in Wales declined from the 4th century – it faced a growing threat from Irish raiders while Scotland was raided by the Irish and Picts. Magnus Maximus made himself emperor over Britain, Gaul and Spain between AD 383-388. He was known as Macsen Wledig : to support his campaigns he withdrew the soldiery from Britain.
This period, following the collapse of Rome, is popularly known as the Dark Ages with Britian threatened by various barbarian invaders. The Celtic culture was threatened and submerged under the invading Anglo Saxons and Danes who swept their way through most of England. Wales held out as did Cornwall and Cumbria (which means "land of the Cymry") . The Cymry of Wales were able to maintain their independence and their language.
Christianity and the Age of the Saints
 |
Christianity was introduced into Britain some time during the Roman occupation. After the Romans left there was so much disorder and violence that some of the holiest among the Christians sought peace and refuge in remote places: such a place was Pembrokeshire. They chose barren or secluded spots where they could peacefully live a life of devotion and service to God. The sixth century in particular was a period of great religious activity, for it produced a number of distinguished monks, or saints, some of whom won fame as scholars, teachers and the founding new churhes. One of these was St David, our Patron Saint. He was said to have died on March I AD588. |
|
Our most local saints was St Deiniol: the church dedicated to him is a local landmark on top of St Daniel's Hill, Pembroke. Then there is St Govan, whose remote chapel on the rugged coastline a few miles south of Pembroke is now a popular tourist attraction. An early Christian site existed on what was later to become Monkton Priory |
 |
 |
Many of these Celtic saints and their disciples travelled across the Irish Sea on their missionary journeys sailing in frail skin boats similar to the irish curragh. |
THE VIKINGS
The ninth century brought a new menace. The vikings terrorised the coasts of Pembrokeshire from their bases in Ireland and Scotland. In the year 877AD a Viking chieftain named Hubba spent the winter in Milford Haven with a fleet of 23 ships and about 2,000 warriors. Hence Hubberston got its name,
 |
There are many examples of Viking names around the Pembrokeshire coast: Caldey, Skomer, Skokholm to name a few. This would seem to suggest that in time the Vikings gave up their warlike ways and became settlers like all the previous invaders. However, the Vikings never took control of Wales or overcame the powers of the Welsh kings. Notably Rhodri The Great, ruler of Gwynedd, defeated the Danes in AD 856, a famous victory which earned him the epithet 'the Great'. |
| BACK TO TIMELINE |
| NEXT PAGE | HOME |