Flocculencio said:
So what if Arthur and his muddy gang of Cymri had prevailed? What might happen if the Saxons had been driven back in a manner which in OTL they did to the Vikings?
What might a fully Celtic Britain be like? Perhaps the Celtic church wouldn't develop it's own peculiarities due to contact with the Continental church instead of being isolated in Ireland as in OTL.
Ireland was a beacon of civilisation in northern Europe in the period when Rome was crumbling. Perhaps the Dux Bellorum, having driven back the Saxon invaders and renewed the sense of Roman unity in his inspired followers might set up a new Latinised Kingdom of Britannia, a Northern reflection of the glory that was Rome.
I very much doubt that the Irish monks had anything in their strongboxes the Italian and Spanish libraries didn't (then again, I should bve considered a biased source here. I suffered through a whole trimester of 'Irish Culture Admiration' at Trinity. That's not what they call the course, but that's what it is). It's just that the Irish treasures were mostly preserved while those of the Med were frequently lost. But back on topic:
Romano-Britain will likely be much more integrated into the world of the Romania. We mustn't forget that until Tariq comes across and the Franks trounce all over Aquitaine and Gascony, our favorite holiday destinations were a far more civilised area than the bits where the more popularly presented political ancestors of modern Europe lived. It just might be Romanised enough to actually remain Latinate, becoming a Romance country with Celtic fringes like France (though from what little we know it seems more likely the Celtic languages will win out and Latin become the tongue of the upper class and church). Think of the monasteries of Ireland and the princes of Wales, and multiply by ten - that's Romano-Britain. Instead of being baesd on marginal lands, it runs a Christian and literate, technically Roman civilisation in the best areas of England. In fact, Ireland and Scotland might never really become Christianised beciause without pagan neighbours, they don't have the pressing need to define themselves as that. Quite the contrary, with the Romano-Brits to draw off the best manpower and resources, they might remain despised barbarians. At any rate a 'Celtic Church' in the form we are familiar with is rather less likely. Britain will have its own form and tradition no doubt (Pelagianism was pretty strong there), but it remains in far closer contact with the center. I would also question the strong role of monastic communities. It was typical of both Francia and Ireland, for different reasons, but there is no need for the pattern to repeat itself in Britain. it didn't in Italy, Spain or Aquitaine. A Roman-tradition church would be more organised along episcopal courts and secular clergy, with monasteries subordinate to their power structure. Of course you could still have Martinian-tradition monks if you want.
The cities will shrink, though with episcopal courts and Roman-style civitas counts they are unlikely to disappear entirely. Again, think Southern France or indeed the Frankish lands - shells of their former selves, but human settlements nonetheless. Still, most important people live in the country in their own (by now fortified) villas rather than in towns. They keep retinues of mounted warriors, professional men of violence living by a semi-barbaric code and often enough of barbarian (ie likely Frankish, Welsh, Irish or Pictish) extraction. Again, the extent to whichthe habits of these warrior societies would pervade their civilisation is unclear, but I'd expect more than a hint of 'mead-halls ringing with the voices of the scops'. OTOH, even Frankish kings as late as the 6th century had Latin court poets, so there might be remnants of Latin secular literacy and acculturation (in fact, I'd expect rather more than we might think - secular literacy is abn underresearched topic that may yet provide surprises. One of my favorite examples is the - much later - 'scribe Hildeberth' image that is consistently identified as a 'monk' even though it clearly shows a man in secular garb accustomed to eating flesh)
There would still be money, but only a miracle can save a monetised economy. Coins will be made to fund the status-goods economy and as status gifts handed out by kings. And, naturally, because coining is what rulers do.
For long-term implications, this is where things get interesting. For one thing, England does not define itself as opposed to the Celtic sphere. That means it can stay in close cultural exchange with Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Britanny. Neither will it be so averse to their brand of Christianity. that removes the unquestioningly Rome-oriented Anglo-Saxon missionaries who, in generations to come, would make France and Germany safe for the papacy. There goes the Catholic church...
In France, this could translate into a stronger role for Britanny as opposed to Francia. Need not, but might. Germany will likely stay pagan longer (no 'saving the souls of our brothers' - anyone living in the tradition of Arthur wouldn't touch the Saxons with a ten-foot pole). Maybe the Germanic-Romance language border is moved east as a result as the Germans are pushed back like OTL Slavs.
'Course, once the Vikings happen the whole affair will just look like a replay for the Britons. They'll also be better organised and more self-confident and can look back to Arthur (in fact this is the point his legend will be born in earnest. Legends don't come about because of what they did but because they are needed again. What generation wouldn't like another Washington, what beleaguered island another Arthur, even if he smokes cigars, speaks funny and is called Winston?). Not that that makes the Northmen a walkover, but it'll certainly have an effect. Plus, they won't assimilate as easily in a Celtic or Romance-speaking population. Definitely no Anglo-Danish empires.
Oh, and there will still be Jewish communities in Britain. They will retain contacts with the continent. once the Islamic invasion comes, they will be able to move between Francia, Aquitaine, al-Andalus and Britain. I wonder if the Romano-British will prove as readily receptive to Islamic civilisation as the Romance nations of the south were. Probably not, but a man can dream...
