Falkirk is a town located in the Forth Valley, Scotland, between the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
A Roman-era structure was once located near Falkirk. It was believed to be a circular temple and is known as Arthur’s O’on.
Falkirk | 0 to the 9th century AD
Roman Era | 1st – 5th centuries AD
During the Roman period, roughly from the first to the fifth centuries AD, the Falkirk area was part of the Roman province of Britannia.
The Antonine Wall, constructed by the Romans in the second century, passed through the region. The wall, which ran between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde, marked the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain. Falkirk may have been a site of military activity or settlements associated with the wall.
Post-Roman Period and Early Medieval Times | 5th – 10th
After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early fifth century, the region entered a period often referred to as the Dark Ages, characterized by a lack of written records. The region likely experienced a degree of political and social distruption following the Roman departure, as local communities adjusted to the changing circumstances.
The post-Roman period saw the emergence of various groups, including the native Celtic population and incoming Picts, Scots, and Angles. It’s likely that the Falkirk area was influenced by both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultural and linguistic elements.
The spread of Christianity continued during this period, and it’s possible that the Falkirk region saw the establishment of Christian communities, possibly associated with local monastic centers.
Kingdom of Strathclyde | 5th – 11th centuries
The Celtic Kingdom of Strathclyde emerged during the post-Roman period in the fifth century. Strathclyde was located in the region known as the “Old North,” encompassing parts of modern southern Scotland and northern England, particularly along the valley of the River Clyde. The region of Falkirk may have been subject to conflicts and interactions between the Kingdom of Strathclyde and neighboring kingdoms and tribes.
Viking Age | 8th – 9th centuries
In the later part of the eighth century and into the ninth century, Viking raids and Norse incursions into coastal and inland areas of Scotland became more common. While the precise impact on Falkirk itself may not be detailed in historical records, the broader Viking influence shaped the political and cultural landscape of the region.