Pre-Roman England was a time of hill forts and tribal chieftains. The Celts had no written form of their language, which was probably Brythonic. It was Roman historians who recorded the earliest history of this land, and they did not consider it "civilized". However, by their definition, to be civilized meant living in cities. In fact, the society of warriors, druid-priests and artisans that thrived inside and outside the walls of these hill forts was highly cultured.

The great hill forts that dominated the landscape of ancient Britain gave protection to the people, enabling them to establish farms and small settlements in the surrounding fertile fields. Eventually these hill forts lost their military importance and became the centers from which towns began to develop. There were gathering places for seasonal celebrations. There were workshops and forges where the unique metalworking of this period thrived. And there were resourceful traders who enhanced their society with wealth and culture from far beyond the island's shores.