Episode 2 The Invasion That Never Was

This series expands on Britain BC Francis Pryor traces the story of King Arthur back to its ancient origins. Putting forth the compelling idea that most of its key elements are deeply rooted in Bronze and Iron Ages he argues that the legends survival mirrors a flourishing indigenous culture that endured through the Roman occupation of Britain and the subsequent invasions of the so called Dark Ages. Francis Pryor argues that the early history of Britain was a vibrant period when the island thrived under foreign influences from as far a field as the Middle East without losing their cultural identity. According to received wisdom native British culture was suppressed by 400 years of Roman rule and the withdrawal of the mighty imperial army in AD 410 threw the country into a state of primitive barbarism which only came to an end with the invasion by the more advanced Anglo Saxons. Writer and broadcaster Francis Pryor argues that we have got this version of our history wrong. Francis shows how archaeologists are beginning to reveal that the early history of Britain was a vibrant period in which the population thrived under a series of foreign influences from as far a field as the Middle East and Constantinople without losing their cultural identity.