Hi, I'm Tristan Hughes, and if you would like the ancient ad-free, get early access and bonus episodes, sign up to History Hit.

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Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com slash subscribe. It's the mid-fifth century.

Decades have passed since the last Roman field troops had left Britain, symbolising the end of Roman control.

Once the most prosperous and protected part of the island, Southern Britain is now vulnerable.

Fearsome raiders from present-day Scotland and Ireland threaten these lands.

But help is at hand.

Southern Britain's new Romano-British leaders,

warlords, have sought aid from overseas, and Saxon mercenaries have answered the call.

It's The Ancients on History Hit. I'm Tristan Hughes, your host. Today we're exploring the story

of the Saxons, one of the most

recognisable non-Roman peoples from the late ancient and early medieval periods in Western Europe.

Over the course of more than a century, they would rise to become a dominant force in Britain,

ultimately forming famous kingdoms like Wessex and Mercia.

But the nature of their arrival into Britain remains highly debated.

What do we know about the Saxon migrations into Britain? Did they really start with these

mercenary bands coming to the aid of Romano-British warlords, and then did they grow into something much bigger?

Well, fortunately, recent studies have started to shine new light on this intriguing topic,

as you're about to find out.

Joining me to discuss the Saxon story, from their Germanic origins, to their interactions

with the Roman Empire, to their migrations to

Britain, I was delighted to interview Dr Peter Heather, Professor of Medieval History at King's College, London.

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