Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Caer Celemion

After the Roman withdrawal in AD 410, Roman Calleva Atrebatum, the walled capital of the major southern Romano-British tribal canton, could have survived as a possible Caer Celemion (modern Silchester). The name of the territory itself is unrecorded, so the use of its capital to name it is a suitable replacement.

Evidence shows that Britons continued to command the territorium (roughly formed of Berkshire, and northern Hampshire and Wiltshire, and neighbouring Caer Gwinntguic to the south) into the seventh century, probably as a Post-Roman continuation of the Celtic Atrebates. Local place names such as  Andover, Micheldover and Candover are names of British origin.

c.420 - 496

Saxons begin advancing along the Thames Valley, and into the Chilterns, encroaching on the territory's northern border. Under overall command of first Vortigern and then Ambrosius Aurelianus from Caer Gloui, the region probably gains more and more autonomy as the century progresses, with sub-Roman magistratum becoming princeps. Defensive dykes are erected which face towards the Thames, probably at the same time as the Wansdyke is constructed.

?Einion

Remembered by the Saxons as the giant, Onion.

552

Caer Celemion's neighbour, Caer Gwinntguic, falls to the West Seaxe, making the territory very vulnerable on its less well-defended southern border.

577

Caer Gloui, Caer Beddan and Caer Ceri all fall to the West Seaxe, leaving the territory totally isolated.

c.600 - 610

Caer Celemion is destroyed, probably by Ceawlin of the West Seaxe.