No Saxon invasion?

[Ghostmojo]

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade everybody!

I'm glad this thread has been revived. I have just finishing reading Bryan Sykes book Blood of the Isles and am curious to know what you fine scholarly people think of his work, his website, his analysis and conclusions - such as they are? From what I remember of his summation, the Anglo-Saxon (and later Danish) 'invasions' certainly had their effect - but not to the extent that some propose. Significant yes, but not overwhelming. If his genetically based research is to be accepted, the bedrock of the British populace (either through matrilineal or patrilineal routes) is still largely pre-Roman 'celtic' (in fact older) or if you prefer, Ancient Briton - even in the areas which were supposedly Angle or Saxon dominated or thoroughly purged of previous occupants.

I suspect that both Pryor and Sykes would see the story as being somewhat mixed with examples of both extremes being likely/certain in some select areas, and every variation in between elsewhere. I would guess (and it is a guess) that Gildas' apocalytic view was perhaps based upon examples of the worse case scenarios which did occur in specific cases - but not everywhere.