The Romans Leave Britain

 The Romans ruled Britain for over three hundred and fifty years. For some Roman Britons this was a time of peace and plenty,but many soldiers were needed to keep Britain safe. After AD 250, this task became harder.
       Raiders from Scotland and Ireland began to make attacks on Britain. Saxon pirates made raids across the North Sea. The Roman forts on the south and east coasts could not keep them out.

       The Roman Empire itself was being attacked by barbarians. Gradually legions left Britain to defend other parts of the Empire. In AD 411, no more pay was sent from Rome and few Roman soldiers stayed after that.
The Britons were left to protect themselves from the new invaders. With the Romans gone there was no strong leader to rule the whole country and gradually the Roman way of life disappeared. Many people returned to the countryside and allowed the towns to fall into ruins.