The British Legacy & The Spirit of the Celts

Group #3September 8, 2011

1st Period

Introduction

Many know that the United States was made in the image of Great Britain. Some of the things we Americans love and enjoy came directly from the British culture.

The British Legacy

The British monarchy has always had one single ruler.

In 1215, The Magna Carta was signed. The Magna Carta allowed a parliament

to form.

Our Bill of Rights was based off the Magna Carta. Parliament British literature and the English language

influenced the USA greatly.

The British Legacy

Iberians

Lived on the southern and eastern peninsula

Animals Nature Gods

Celts 750 B.C. – 12 B.C. Goidelic Celts Brythonic Celts

Romans

Fighting in Gaul Punishment Second invasion was

successful

Angles & Saxons

The only peaceful “invasion”

Vikings Raids on England

Normans Williams Duke of

Normandy Bayeux Tapestry

The Spirit of the Celts Pytheas of Massalia was a Greek

explorer. He “found” Great Britain and the

settlers who called themselves the Brythons.

Brythons were the original inhabitants of Great Britain.

The most known Brython would be King Arthur.

“All the Brythons dye their bodies with woad, which produces a blue color, and gives them a more terrifying appearance in battle.”-Julius Caesar

Brythons were known for staining themselves with woad and running into battle naked.

They had patterns and drawings with the woad.

The Spirit of the Celts

Their religion was a form of Animism. Celtic religion and mythology was intertwined

greatly. The Celts had many gods and goddesses. Priests, called Druids, acted as intermediates

between the gods and the people. They also had ritual dances and human sacrifices.

The Druids used Stonehenge for religious ceremonies.

Conclusion

Let’s review the 5 key points! British influence can be found all over America. The Magna Carta allowed Britain to have a parliament. Invaders, like the Iberians, Celts, Romans, Angles and

Saxons, Vikings and Normans, shaped today’s Britain. Brythons were the original inhabitants of Great Britain. The Celts believed in Animism, which had many gods

and goddesses.