31 | Which Ancient Briton is your type of guy?
Because history repeats itself. Including the men
I was a nineteen-year-old student in the college library reading Old English history and literature about Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans when I stumbled on my romantic theory.
I looked up from my book and noticed their modern-day counterparts were all around me.:
- That blush and an ‘After you,’ from the man at the printer: was he a Celt or a Roman?
- The man forcefully jabbing the buttons on the coffee-machine: was he showing Viking tendencies?
- And how about Chris on the Library Helpdesk: was he, in actual fact, really...a Norman?
Men may come from completely different heritages from these, have different haircuts and drive more up-to-date chariots these days but there is something recognisable about the innate characteristics I was uncovering in those long-ago manotypes.
What character-type suits you best:
Celt — Roman — Anglo-Saxon — Viking — Norman?
The Celt
Background
Celts were the earliest inhabitants in this list. So early in fact that many historians are unsure whether they ever existed as one distinct entity or not. On the one hand this gives them an ethereal charm but on the other, this can give them a nebulous quality.
His essence
- Emotional
- Excitable
- Artistic
- Spiritual
Examples
- The Priest in Fleabag
- George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life
- Jack Dawson in Titanic
- Welsh street preachers
- Bono
Good at
- Gazing adoringly at you or sometimes right over your head
- Making life a dramatic rollercoaster
- Bringing a unique perspective to all situations
- Open to things of the spirit
Challenges
- Remaining calm
- Seeking responsibility
- Maintaining reliability and consistency
Least likely to say
‘Rugby is only a game’
Most likely to say
‘Cariad.’
Where they hang out
- Welsh/Scottish/Irish universities
- Cardiff Arms Park
- St David’s Day/St Patrick’s Day/St Andrew’s Day celebrations
- Open Mic nights at pubs
- Busking in the street
The Roman
Background
The Romans came, they saw, they conquered a lot of Britain with a lot of efficiency.
His essence
- Shrewd
- Controlled
- Calculating
- Aspirational
Examples
- Sir Keir Starmer
- Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’ Diary
- Neil Armstrong
- Andy Murray
- Björn Ulvaeus of Abba
Good at
- Assessing situations
- Stoicism
- Strategy
- Handling a crisis
Challenges
- Showing a soft and caring side
- Aesthetic sensibility
- Admitting when he’s wrong
- Being flexible
Least likely to say
‘Let’s go with the flow.’
Most likely to say
‘I re-organised your dishwasher for you.’
Where they hang out
- Museums especially Roman ones
- Legal firms
- Accountancy firms
- The Apple Ecosystem
- Online generally
The Anglo-Saxon
Background
When the Romans retreated, the Saxons saw their chance and migrated to Britain bringing superior land skills and craftsmanship.
His essence
- Stalwart
- Earthy
- Practical
- Home-loving
Examples
- Gabriel Oak in Far From the Madding Crowd
- Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings
- Tim in The Office (UK)
- Woody in Toy Story
Good at
- Loyalty
- Life-hacks
- Practicalities
- Perseverance
Challenges
- Seeing beyond the obvious
- Taking leadership
- Risk-taking ο»Ώ
Least likely to say
‘Charrrrgggggge!!!!!!’
Most likely to say
‘I’d like a nice quiet evening in.’
Where they hang out
- B & Q (browsing, not working)
- Agricultural colleges
- Down the pub (quiet ones)
- Watching Clarkson’s Farm
The Viking
Background
Formidable explorers coming from northern Scandinavia, raiding, trading, and eventually settling.
His essence
- Extrovert
- Explorer
- Active
- Untrammelled
Examples
- The late Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth II
- Jeremy Clarkson
- Boris Johnson
- Richard Branson
Good at
- Taking action
- Feats of derring-do
- Leaping over the ticket barriers at railway stations
- Being brave and/or foolhardy
Challenges
- Following rules
- Sensitivity
- Anger management
- Basic table manners
Least likely to say
‘I’m a vegan.'
Most likely to say ‘Charrrrgggggge!!!!!!’
Where modern-day Vikings hang out
- Sports venues
- Down the pub (noisy ones)
- The great outdoors
- Courtrooms (he’s the Defendant in a Breach of the Peace case)
The Norman
Background
In 1066 they came across the Channel from Northern France to impose their rule and have been doing so on the quiet ever since.
His essence
- Nature’s patrician
- Quietly superior
- Expansionist
- Smoothly successful
Examples
- Emmanuel Macron
- Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders
- Don Draper in Mad Men
- James Bond in his Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore iterations
Good at
- Getting other people to do things
- Running multinationals
- Steely charm
- Bigger-picture vision
Challenges
- Learning not to see other people as pawns
- Learning to show his human side
- Letting go
- Switching off
- Downsizing
Least likely to
Swear in public.
Most likely to say
'Oh I don't know...I’ve just been very lucky.’
Where Normans hang out
- First Class Airport Lounges
- The Ryder Cup
- Sotheby’s
- Upper-class ski resorts
- Courtrooms (he’s the Judge)
Which one's for me?
I’m sixty this year and have had a fair amount of experience of ‘courting’ both before my first marriage in my twenties, and then during the ten years between going through a miserable divorce and meeting my lovely husband.
I’d say there are no right or wrong answers to which type you prefer. The deciding factors are bound up in asking yourself: 'Does he...?'
- π€ Demonstrate grown-up love and respect towards me?
- π Have integrity and an active moral compass?
- π€ Have a temperament I can enjoy in the good times and cope with in the bad times?
Whatever the epoch you live in, be a Wise Woman.
πΏπΏπΏ
