The Celtic Britons spoke a variety of Celtic languages, which are part of the broader Indo-European language family. The primary language spoken by the Britons was a form of the Brittonic language, which is the precursor to modern Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. This language, alongside the shared cultural practices, played a key role in defining their identity as a distinct group within the wider Celtic world.

Though they were part of the wider Celtic tradition, the Britons developed a sense of uniqueness tied to their own regional dialects, customs, and political structures. The different Celtic tribes of Britain—such as the Iceni, the Brigantes, and the Trinovantes—had their own leaders and, to some extent, distinct identities. However, they shared common cultural elements, such as their love for storytelling, art, and warrior traditions.

The Roman Conquest and Its Impact

The Celtic Britons were well-established in their land when the Romans first began to eye Britain for conquest. The Roman Empire, which was expanding rapidly in the first century BCE, sought to add Britain to its territories for both strategic and economic reasons. Julius Caesar made two exploratory invasions of Britain in 55 and 54 BCE, but it was not until Emperor Claudius's reign in 43 AD that the Romans fully invaded Britain.

The Romans faced considerable resistance from the Celtic Britons, especially from powerful leaders like Caratacus of the Catuvellauni tribe and Queen Boudica of the Iceni. Boudica's revolt in 60-61 AD became one of the most famous uprisings against Roman rule in Britain. After the Romans crushed the revolt, they began to assert their dominance over the island, leading to the gradual Romanization of the region.

Despite the military conquests and the eventual establishment of Roman rule, many elements of Celtic British culture persisted in certain areas. Roman towns and villas were built, and the Britons were exposed to Roman law, architecture, and customs. However, Celtic traditions continued to shape the identity of the Britons, especially in the more rural areas that were less affected by Romanization. shutdown123