With exclusive access to a major new excavation, Alice Roberts pulls together all the latest evidence to reveal what Dark Age Britain was really like. In the 5th century, the future of Britain hung in the balance. After four centuries of straight roads and hot-and-cold running water the Romans upped and left, called back to support their own ailing empire. The country quickly descended into chaos, plunging the native population into poverty and instability as their livelihoods – many dependent on the Romans – disappeared almost overnight. The nation was vulnerable and it didn’t take long for Anglo-Saxon invaders to take advantage, a vast bloodthirsty army quickly overran the country, killing the locals and settling down to change the history of the British Isles forever.

At least, that is what the fragmentary historical texts record, but the truth is we don’t actually know what happened. There is no reliable written account of events and for two whole centuries sources provide the names of less than ten individuals. This pivotal moment in our national history has been shrouded in mystery… until now.

BBC 2018

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