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Early History

 

The first evidence of people in the Brittany region is from hunter gatherers during the Paleolithic Era (pre 5000 BC).

 

During the Neolithic period, between 5000 BC and 2000 BC, the many Megaliths that can be found all over Brittany were built.  These ancient monuments are older than the Egyptian pyramids and still fascinate and puzzle modern archaeologists.  It is thought that the dolmens are ancient collective burial places.

 

Between 3500 and 1500 BC it is known that people came to the Brittany region from the Mediterranean and brought with them new traditions and religion.

 

 

The Celts and Romans

 

The next settlers within the region were the Celts who called the area Gaul and set up five cities based around the five main Celtic tribes, of which the most powerful was the Veneti.

 

In the 1st century BC the Romans, under Julius Caesar, conquered Gaul and renamed the area Armorica meaning 'coastal area'.  The Roman rule of the area lasted until 5th century when Germanic tribes invaded.

 

 

Seven Founder Saints

 

Christianization first occurred during the Roman occupation in the 3rd century.  However, the first recorded Christian missionaries came to the region from Wales and are known as the "Seven Founder Saints". They are:

 

Saint Pol Aurelian, at St Pol de Leon

Saint Tudwal, at Treguier

Saint Brioc, at St Brieuc

Saintt Malo, at St Malo

Saint Samson of Dol, at Dol de Bretagne

Saintt Patern, at Vannes

Saint Corentin, at Quimper

 

Between the 4th and 6th centuries the missionaries set up monasteries at each of the places above and people started to build communities around these religious centres.  This is seen as the birth of Breton culture. 

 

 

The Brythons

 

The region of Armorica was transformation into 'Brittany' at the end of the Roman period when the Brythonic, people of British Celtic origins, settled in the area.  It is thought that the immigration of Brythonic people was at its peak during the Anglo Saxon invasion of Britain in the 5th century.

 

This wave of migration resulted in the emergence of an independent Breton people and established the Brythonic Breton language as the main language of the region.  A number of Brythonic kingdoms formed which were defeated by the Franks in AD799.  The Franks leader Charlemagne installed his own governor Nominoe to control the region, however, in the 840s Nominoe united the numerous Brythonic kingdoms as a defence against Frankish control.

 

Shortly after Brittany gets its first King, King  Erispoe, who was Nominoes son.  This forms the first independent Duchy of Brittany.

 

 

The Middle Ages

 

During the Middle Ages there were several periods of both peace and fighting as part of the '100 Years War'.  As a result a Ducal administration gradually emerged with Brittany at its height of power and wealth during the rule of the Dukes of Montford.

 

Because of this wealth the Duchess Anne of Brittany was forced to marry Charles VIII and also his successor Louis XII in 1499.  These marriages were the first steps towards Brittany's incorporation into France , which was finally established in 1532 by the 'Unions Edict' published in Nantes.

 

The 16th and 17th centuries are considered a golden age of commerce for Brittany as a result of its fantastic maritime port locations and its agriculture and industrial strengths.  A lot of Brittanys most grand castles and chateaus were built around this time.

 

Around this time Brittany also become a centre of counter revolution.

 

 

Recent Times

 

By the start of the 19th century the region of Brittany was not in a good condition.  Many of the traditional Breton industries had not been able to adapt to the  recent industrial changes and so many Breton people left the region.  However it was during this period that Brittany become source of inspiration for many artists.  

 

In the 19th century Brittany experienced a 'Celtic Revival' which led to the foundation of the 'Breton Regionalist Union' and later to independence movements linked to Irish, Welsh and Scottish independence parties in the UK.

 

 During WW2 France detached the Loire Atlantique department from Brittany. 

 

During the 20th century Brittany suffered heavy casualties in both world wars which further hindered the regions recovery.  However, since the end of WW2 Brittany has undergone a large and ongoing phase of modernisation which has transformed many of the towns and villages in the region.

 

 

Brittanys Future

 

Brittany has entered the 21st century with a good combination of modern focus and strong tradition resulting in Brittany residents having a strong sense of identity along with an open minded attitude to the rest of France and the world.

 

 

Why not also check out the Guide2Brittany guide to 'Breton Culture'...

 

Do you know the history of Brittany better than we do? Please leave any comments, suggestions or advice to fellow readers below.

 

 

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