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The Groans of the Britons

Attacks on Britain by raiders were causing hardship to the population. According to the Venerable Bede, a chronicler writing in the Eighth Century, the country was suffering from a famine and the raider assaults dwindled supplies to famishing levels.

The Britons appealed to the Commander of the Roman Armies, Aetius, for help in defending their land. The letter was known as the Groans of the Britons. It read:

"To Agitius (Aetius), thrice consul, the Groans of the Britons...the barbarians drive us to the sea, the sea drives us to the barbarians; between these two means of death we are either killed or drowned."

Rome was not willing or able to offer aid. The Roman Empire was busy defending its strongholds in mainland Europe from the growing threat of Attila the Hun.