Albion (Saxon)

Albion, in its earliest usage, is the oldest known name for the island of Great Britain. The term is of ancient origin, predating the Roman conquest. While the precise etymology is debated, the most commonly accepted theory traces it back to the Proto-Celtic word *albios, meaning "white." This likely refers to the white chalk cliffs of the southern coast of Britain, most notably those at Dover, which would have been a prominent feature visible to seafarers approaching the island.

The term Albion appears in ancient Greek texts, such as those of Pytheas of Massalia in the 4th century BCE, where it is used to refer to the island. Later, Roman writers also employed the name, sometimes alongside Britannia.

While Albion eventually fell out of common use as a primary designation for Great Britain, it has persisted in literary, poetic, and mythological contexts. It frequently appears as a romantic or metaphorical name for Britain, evoking a sense of antiquity and mystique. In certain contexts, particularly in Romantic and nationalist literature, "Albion" is used to personify Britain as a mythical or symbolic figure.

The association with the color white and the imagery of cliffs also led to Albion's metaphorical use in other contexts. It can represent purity, innocence, or the untamed power of nature.

The Saxon period witnessed both the use of "Albion" by non-Saxons referring to the land, and the development of new names such as "Englaland" (England), derived from the Angles who settled in the region. The name "Albion" continued to exist alongside these new designations, though its usage was primarily confined to more formal or poetic contexts.