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Why 'Dark Ages' is Used
- The term 'Dark Ages' is disliked by historians but reflects the scarcity of records and turmoil in early medieval England.
- The period featured violence and major societal changes after Roman withdrawal, making historical clarity difficult.
Gildas' View on Saxon Arrival
- Gildas wrote a bitter sermon blaming British kings and clergy for inviting Saxons, leading to disaster.
- His work reflects the survival of Roman learning and a Roman worldview in Britain post-Rome.
Bede's Theological History Lens
- Bede's ecclesiastical history brings a Northumbrian and Christian perspective, interpreting events as divine judgment.
- He criticizes the Britons for moral failings leading to Saxon invasions, showing bias and theological focus.