Migration Period

The period of large-scale movement of peoples in western Europe during the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries AD - including the Anglo-Saxon settlement of England. These movements are associated with the collapse of the Roman empire. Barbarians from beyond the Roman frontiers settled within many of the former provinces. The Migration Period is often extended to cover period from 3rd century AD to accession of Charlemagne in 800 AD.

Term applied to the time between the 5th and later 7th centuries when ‘barbarian’ tribes overran the Roman Empire. The settlements and cultural record of Migration Period Europe are distinctive, and essentially owe their character to the Romanperiod tribes in central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia.