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. 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. By repelling the Norse invaders, his successors were able to keep the independence he had won. History of Brittany Region Brittany's history can be dated back to the New Stone Age. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Rennes, former provincial capital, is the chief city. 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. Over the next 300 years the Celts were converted to Christianity by missionaries from the British Isles. From 1793 to 1799 the Chouans of Brittany were in revolt against the Revolution’s reorganization of the Roman Catholic church. 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. All rights reserved. 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. One of the oldest hearths in the world has been found in Plouhinec, Finistère. 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. 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. © Hi there, 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. Spelmonden Old Oast Brittany has been inhabited by humans since the Lower Palaeolithic. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. 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.
Brittany - Brittany - History: A strong Celtic background distinguishes Brittany from other parts of France. 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. 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. update your settings 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. Brittanyâs earliest known Neolithic tribes left a legacy of menhirs and dolmens. Brittany has retained a separate regional identity. 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. 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. Brittany became a part of France when Anne, heir to Brittany, married two successive kings of France, Charles VIII and Louis XII. Celts arrived in the 6th century BC, naming their new homeland âArmorâ (the land beside the sea). This article was most recently revised and updated by, Official Tourism Site of Brittany, France. 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. 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. The first settlers were Neanderthals.
During the Middle Ages, Brittany fought to become and remain an independent duchy. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. A separatist movement affirms that the Bretons are still conscious of the uniqueness of their province. 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. At the time of the French Revolution, Brittany contributed to the agitation that led to the calling of the Estates-General.
Over the next two centuries it resisted the crown’s efforts at centralization. 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. 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 was first united in the 9th century under the rule of Nomenoë, Brittany’s national hero, who revolted against the Carolingians. Brittany is known as Bretagne in French and at first it was a province and duchy and only later turned into a region. Lonely Planet. Contact Lonely Planet. by clicking the Privacy policy link at the bottom of the page.
2018 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. TN17 1HE, Get free offers and holiday ideas in our email newsletter, Brittany United Kingdom It is from this event that Brittany derives its name. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. In the formal treaty of incorporation into France in 1532, the province was guaranteed local privileges. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. Celts arrived in the 6th century BC, naming their new homeland ‘Armor’ (the land beside the sea). 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. You can Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Brittany had only a minor role in the struggles between England and France during the later Middle Ages. From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the region experienced an economic boom, with seaports proving a valuable base for French naval ships. 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. 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. Belle France
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