There are a group of huge stone's ruins at Carnac, the southern part of Brittany, around 5,000 of 0.8 to 6.5m high standing stones line up from east to west, these are called Menhir. Neolithic monuments and Roman conquest, the emigrations of Britons to the advent of the Renaissance, the history of Brittany is rich with fascinating tales and legends. Only following the liberation of the province did Brittany begin to experience significant positive change, with 1956 seeing it legally reconstituted as the Region of Brittany, thereby preserving its traditions and cultures in a manner that would benefit future generations. All rights reserved. TN17 1HE, Get free offers and holiday ideas in our email newsletter, Brittany Despite the centuries of rule, however, the fall of the empire led to the ceding of control of the peninsula to others, with the end of the fourth century proving a time of significance for the region. Rennes, former provincial capital, is the chief city. Mystery and wonder shroud much of the prehistoric era in Brittany. A civil war for control of the duchy was fought in the mid-14th century between supporters of an English heir and supporters of a French heir. Brittany has been inhabited by humans since the Lower Palaeolithic. Celts arrived in the 6th century BC, naming their new homeland âArmorâ (the land beside the sea). It is 450,000 years old. Known throughout antiquity as the Armorican peninsula, it features Neolithic monuments such as the Carnac Stones, which are thought to pre-date the development of the Egyptian pyramids and indicate early inhabitance of the region. Their only original feature was a distinct culture, called "Colombanian". Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries Brittany remained a conservative area of France, maintaining old social and religious practices. Now thereâs a drive for cultural and linguistic renewal â and a consciousness of Brittanyâs place within a wider Celtic culture embracing Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Galicia in Spain, with all of which ties have been established. Conquered by Julius Caesar in 56 BC, the Romans withdrew in the 5th century AD, and Celts driven from what is now Britain and Ireland by the Anglo-Saxon invasions settled in Brittany, bringing Christianity. 2018 But, with the Duchy abolished during the French Revolution and the creation of factories elsewhere in the nation, Brittany suffered a significant slump in fortunes. update your settings Brittany belongs to the ancient uplands of the Armorican Massif and is generally low-lying, with a mean elevation of 341 feet (104 metres). Over the next 300 years the Celts were converted to Christianity by missionaries from the British Isles. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. You can Contact Lonely Planet. Brittany - Brittany - History: A strong Celtic background distinguishes Brittany from other parts of France. Brittany had only a minor role in the struggles between England and France during the later Middle Ages. © The Aulne Basin separates the heights of the Arrée Mountains (1,260 feet [384 metres]) in the north and the Noires Mountains (1,001 feet [305 metres]) in the south. The first settlers were Neanderthals. From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the region experienced an economic boom, with seaports proving a valuable base for French naval ships. In the 9th century, Brittanyâs national hero Nominoë revolted against French rule. In the formal treaty of incorporation into France in 1532, the province was guaranteed local privileges. A separatist movement affirms that the Bretons are still conscious of the uniqueness of their province. The modern region we find today has been shaped over millennia by outside influences and retains clearly defined links to its past, not least in the ancient remains that can be found across the region. The modern region we find today has been shaped over millennia by outside influences and retains clearly defined links to its past, not least in the ancient remains that can be found across the region. History of Brittany Neolithic monuments and Roman conquest, the emigrations of Britons to the advent of the Renaissance, the history of Brittany is rich with fascinating tales and legends. With the growth of the Roman Empire encompassing more and more of Europe, the arrival of Caesar’s legions and the conquest of Armorica was inevitable, taking dominion over the Celts that had made the region home in the intervening periods. In ancient times the region was part of Armorica. Celts arrived in the 6th century BC, naming their new homeland ‘Armor’ (the land beside the sea). This in turn led to a growth in the number of impressive forts and Gothic structures developed, and a desire among those in power to establish dominance over the various towns and villages. Goudhurst, Kent Hi there, Brittanyâs earliest known Neolithic tribes left a legacy of menhirs and dolmens. From 1793 to 1799 the Chouans of Brittany were in revolt against the Revolution’s reorganization of the Roman Catholic church. we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. This population was scarce and very similar to the other Neanderthals found in the whole of Western Europe. But, sandwiched between two more powerful kingdoms, the duchy of Brittany was contested by France and England until, after a series of strategic royal weddings, the region became part of France in 1532. Spelmonden Old Oast I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Belle France This influx led to the division of the area into three kingdoms – Domnonea, Cornouaille, and Broerec – throughout the Middle Ages, kingdoms that would only be unified in the ninth century under King Nominoe. The Celts were the first historically identifiable inhabitants of Brittany, but they probably intermingled with the earlier peoples who built the great stone monuments, the menhirs and dolmens, that still stand. Conquered by Julius Caesar in 56 bce, the region became part of the Roman Empire as Armorica, a Romanization of the Celtic words for “seaside.” The Celts of Armorica never were more than superficially Romanized. The dukes of the family of Montfort, who finally gained the title, tried to keep Brittany neutral during the remainder of the Hundred Years’ War. One of the oldest hearths in the world has been found in Plouhinec, Finistère. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Official Tourism Site of Brittany, France. After the Romans withdrew, Celts from Britain moved into the area to seek refuge from the Anglo-Saxon invaders of the 5th and 6th centuries. Brittany is known as Bretagne in French and at first it was a province and duchy and only later turned into a region. This would continue into the 20th century; while Brittany sought to modernise itself with improved transportation links, both the First and Second World Wars left the population – as well as major towns and cities – decimated. It is from this event that Brittany derives its name. History Brittany’s earliest known Neolithic tribes left a legacy of menhirs and dolmens. By repelling the Norse invaders, his successors were able to keep the independence he had won. It was first united in the 9th century under the rule of Nomenoë, Brittany’s national hero, who revolted against the Carolingians. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Thus, as part of the Roman Empire from 51BC, the development of the Armorican peninsula was fast and substantial, with several cities such as modern-day Nantes and Rennes being established according to typical Roman standards. During the Middle Ages, Brittany fought to become and remain an independent duchy. History of Brittany Region Brittany's history can be dated back to the New Stone Age. Lonely Planet. A lively and informative new podcast for kids that the whole family will enjoy! In the late 12th century the duchy was brought into the Angevin empire but eventually came under the control of the Capetians, the ruling French dynasty. In the following centuries the dukes not only had to assert their power over rebellious vassals but also faced a threat to their existence from their neighbours, the powerful Norman dukes. Julius Caesar invaded the country in 56 bc and it … Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. United Kingdom A strong Celtic background distinguishes Brittany from other parts of France. In the 10th century the ruler of Brittany took the title of duke and located his capital at Rennes. Immigrants from Ireland, Wales, and southern England would flock to the Armorican peninsula, bringing with them cultures and traditions of Britain and transforming the region into an outpost of the homeland known as Brittany – Little Britain. Brittany has retained a separate regional identity. Following this formation of the Breton kingdom and the Breton duchy, infighting led to a bloody civil war during the 14th century known as the Breton War of Succession. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys.
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