Unraveling a Historical Misconception: Were the FitzAlans Roman Allies in Ancient Britain?
Delving into the timelines of a noble family and an empire to uncover the truth about their supposed alliance.
The question of whether the FitzAlan family (often styled as Fitz Allen) were allies of Rome in England during the critical period of 80 to 350 AD touches upon fascinating aspects of British history. However, a thorough examination of historical records reveals a clear answer: the FitzAlans were not, and indeed could not have been, allies of Rome during this era.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Chronological Discrepancy: The FitzAlan family, as a recognized noble lineage, emerged in England centuries after the Roman period in Britain had concluded. Their historical presence begins in the 12th century.
- FitzAlan Origins: The FitzAlans were of Anglo-Norman and Breton descent, with their progenitor, Alan fitz Flaad, arriving in England around the early 12th century, long after Roman legions had departed.
- Roman Allies in Britain: Rome's allies (socii) in Britannia during 80-350 AD were typically indigenous Celtic or Brythonic tribes who entered into various forms of treaties or client relationships, not medieval noble families of later Norman origin.
Let's explore the historical context in more detail to understand why this alliance was historically impossible.
The FitzAlan Family: A Medieval Lineage
The FitzAlan family holds a significant place in British nobility, but their story begins much later than the Roman occupation of Britain.
Tracing FitzAlan Ancestry
The FitzAlans were a prominent English noble family whose origins are firmly rooted in the post-Roman, medieval period. Their lineage traces back to Alan fitz Flaad, a Breton knight who is believed to have come to England in the retinue of King Henry I shortly after his accession in 1100 AD. Alan fitz Flaad died around 1120. This places the family's establishment in England firmly in the early 12th century, over 700 years after the end of the 80-350 AD timeframe in question.
The family rose to prominence as Marcher Lords, holding significant lands and influence, particularly on the Welsh border. A key development in their status was the acquisition of the Earldom of Arundel. John FitzAlan (1200–1240) became the de jure Earl of Arundel through his marriage to Isabel d'Aubigny. The FitzAlans would hold this prestigious earldom for centuries, from 1243 until 1580, cementing their role in English medieval politics.
It's also noteworthy that the FitzAlans share a common patrilineal ancestry with the House of Stuart, which later ruled Scotland and England. Variants of the name include Fitz-Alan, Fitzallen, and Fitz Allen.
Public latrines at Housesteads Roman Fort, part of Hadrian's Wall, showcasing Roman infrastructure in Britain, a world away from the later FitzAlans.
Roman Britain: AD 80 – AD 350
The period specified, 80 to 350 AD, falls squarely within the Roman administration of Britain, known as Britannia. This era saw profound transformations in the island's landscape, society, and political structure.
The Nature of Roman Rule and Alliances
The Roman conquest of Britain began in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius. By AD 80, Roman control had extended over much of what is now England and Wales, with ongoing campaigns and consolidation efforts. The period up to AD 350 witnessed the flourishing of Roman-British culture, the construction of significant infrastructure like roads and cities (e.g., Londinium, Eboracum), and the establishment of a provincial administration.
During this time, Rome's relationships with the indigenous populations were complex. Some Celtic tribes fiercely resisted Roman rule, while others chose or were compelled into alliance. These "allies of Rome," often referred to by the Latin term socii, were typically local British tribes. These alliances could take various forms:
- Client Kingdoms: Some tribal rulers maintained a degree of autonomy while acknowledging Roman overlordship and providing support.
- Federated Tribes (Foederati): Later in the Roman period, certain groups (often Germanic) were settled within the empire's borders in exchange for military service. While this was more characteristic of the later 4th and 5th centuries, the principle of allied forces was long-established.
- Auxiliary Troops: Many Britons served in the Roman army as auxiliaries, recruited from loyal or subjugated tribes.
The key point is that these allies were contemporary indigenous groups, existing within the socio-political framework of Roman Britain. Medieval Anglo-Norman families like the FitzAlans simply did not exist in this context.
The North Gate Arch of Milecastle 37 on Hadrian's Wall, a testament to Roman military presence in Britain.
Distinguishing the FitzAlans from the Alans
It is important to address a potential point of confusion: the similarity in name between "FitzAlan" and the "Alans." The Alans were an ancient nomadic people of Sarmatian (Iranian) origin who did interact with the Roman Empire, sometimes as foes and sometimes as allies or mercenaries, particularly during the Migration Period (roughly 4th to 6th centuries AD).
Groups of Alans were indeed settled by the Romans in various parts of the Empire, including Gaul and possibly even Britain, to provide military service. Some Alans joined forces with Germanic tribes like the Vandals and Suebi in their migrations. However, these Alans are a distinct historical group from the FitzAlan family of Breton and Anglo-Norman stock. The "Alan" in "FitzAlan" refers to the personal name of Alan fitz Flaad, not to an ethnic connection with the nomadic Alan peoples.
Visualizing the Historical Timelines
To better illustrate the distinct historical periods and entities, the following mindmap and comparative chart are provided.
Mindmap: FitzAlans vs. Roman Britain Context
This mindmap outlines the separate historical trajectories of the FitzAlan family and Roman Britain, highlighting the chronological impossibility of an alliance during the specified period.
FitzAlans & Roman Britain (AD 80-350)"] fitzalan_family["FitzAlan Family"] origin["Breton & Anglo-Norman Origin"] progenitor["Alan fitz Flaad (d. c. 1120)"] emergence["Early 12th Century AD"] era["Medieval Period"] significance["Marcher Lords,
Earls of Arundel (from 1243)"] relation_to_rome["No contemporary existence with
Roman Britain (AD 80-350)"] roman_britain["Roman Britain (Britannia)"] period["AD 43 - c. AD 410"] focus_period["AD 80 - AD 350"] governance["Roman Province"] allies_socii["Indigenous Celtic/Brythonic Tribes"] nature_of_alliance["Client Kingdoms,
Treaty Arrangements,
Auxiliary Troops"] key_features["Romanization,
Infrastructure (Roads, Cities),
Military Presence (Legions)"] relation_to_fitzalans["Pre-dates FitzAlan family
by several centuries"] conclusion_node["Conclusion: No Alliance Possible"] reason1["FitzAlans did not exist in AD 80-350"] reason2["Roman allies were contemporary
indigenous groups"]
Comparative Analysis: FitzAlans vs. Roman Era Allies
The radar chart below visually contrasts key attributes of the FitzAlan family with the typical characteristics of Roman allies in Britain during the 80-350 AD period. The scores are on a relative scale from 1 (Low/Not Applicable) to 5 (High/Very Applicable) based on historical context. This chart emphasizes the distinct timelines and natures of these groups.
As the chart illustrates, the FitzAlan family scores highly on characteristics aligning with medieval nobility and a 12th-century emergence, while scoring very low on factors that would place them in Roman Britain as allies. Conversely, Rome's actual allies during AD 80-350 were contemporary indigenous groups deeply integrated into (or resisting) the Roman provincial system.
Roman Britain: A Video Overview
To further understand the world of Roman Britain during the period in question, the following video provides a comprehensive overview of its history. This context helps solidify why a medieval family like the FitzAlans would not feature in this earlier chapter of British history.
"The Entire History of Roman Britain (55 BC - 410 AD)" by History Time, offering insights into the era when Rome governed parts of the island.
This video details the Roman conquest, the establishment of Roman rule, life in Roman Britain, and its eventual decline, setting the stage for the centuries that passed before families like the FitzAlans rose to prominence.
Chronological Summary Table
The table below provides a concise comparison of the key timelines and characteristics, further clarifying the historical separation.
| Feature | FitzAlan Family | Roman Britain (AD 80-350) & Its Allies |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Period of Existence/Relevance | From early 12th century AD onwards (Medieval and later periods) | AD 43 – c. AD 410 (Specifically AD 80-350 for the query) |
| Origin | Breton knightly lineage, established in England post-Norman Conquest | Roman Empire (for administration); Indigenous Celtic/Brythonic tribes (for local populations and allies) |
| Nature of "Alliance" in question | Not applicable; family did not exist during Roman Britain | Socii (allied tribes/states), client kingdoms, sources of auxiliary troops for Roman army |
| Key Figures/Examples | Alan fitz Flaad (progenitor), William FitzAlan (Lord of Oswestry), Earls of Arundel | Roman Emperors (e.g., Hadrian, Constantine), Provincial Governors, various British tribal leaders (e.g., Cartimandua of the Brigantes, though earlier than AD 80, illustrates client ruler type) |
| Documentary Evidence | Medieval charters, Domesday Book (for predecessors/contemporaries of Alan fitz Flaad's general era, though not FitzAlans themselves directly), Pipe Rolls, chronicles | Roman historians (Tacitus, Cassius Dio), inscriptions, archaeological finds (coins, pottery, structures), Vindolanda tablets |
This table underscores the fundamental anachronism of proposing an alliance between the FitzAlans and Rome in the 1st to 4th centuries AD.
A surviving section of the Roman London Wall near Tower Hill, a stark reminder of the Roman presence long before the FitzAlans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Could there be an earlier, undocumented branch of the FitzAlans that allied with Rome?
Based on current historical and genealogical evidence, there is no indication of an earlier FitzAlan family existing during the Roman period. Noble family names and lineages like "FitzAlan" (meaning "son of Alan") became established in England primarily after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The concept of hereditary surnames was not prevalent in Britain in the same way during AD 80-350. Roman-era Britons would have had Celtic or Latinized names, and societal structures were different.
Were there any prominent "Alans" in Roman Britain who might be confused with the FitzAlans?
As mentioned, the Alans were a distinct nomadic people who did interact with the Roman Empire, and some may have reached Britain as part of Roman auxiliary units or later migrations. However, they are ethnically and historically separate from the FitzAlan family, whose name derives from the personal name of their Breton founder. There's no direct link between these nomadic Alans and the medieval FitzAlan lineage.
When did the Roman period in Britain actually end?
The traditional date for the end of Roman rule in Britain is around AD 410. This is when Emperor Honorius reportedly told the Romano-British cities to look to their own defenses, as Roman legions were being withdrawn to deal with threats elsewhere in the Empire. The transition to a post-Roman Britain was gradual, however.
Who were some examples of actual Roman allies in Britain?
Early in the conquest, tribes like the Iceni (initially) and the Brigantes under Queen Cartimandua were client rulers allied with Rome. Later, various tribal territories were incorporated into the Roman province, and their inhabitants might contribute to auxiliary forces. The system of socii was more formalized in Italy during the Republic, but the principle of allied relationships extended to provincial territories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the FitzAlan family were not allies of Rome in England during the period of 80 to 350 AD. The primary reason is straightforward: the FitzAlan lineage, originating with Alan fitz Flaad, emerged in the historical record in the early 12th century, many hundreds of years after the Roman administration of Britain had ceased. Roman allies in Britain during the specified timeframe were contemporary Celtic tribes and their leaders, operating within the context of the Roman Empire's provincial system. The worlds of the FitzAlans and Roman Britannia were separated by a vast expanse of time.
Recommended Further Exploration
If you are interested in learning more about related topics, consider exploring these queries:
- Who were the most important Marcher Lords in medieval England?
- What was life like in Roman Britain for the native Celts?
- Explore the history of the Earldom of Arundel.
- How did the Norman Conquest change English society and nobility?
References
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Last updated May 21, 2025