From the Heptarchy to Norman Conquest: 600-1066

The period from 600 to 1066 CE in Britain was characterized by significant political and cultural transformations, beginning with the Anglo-Saxon conquest and ending with the Norman invasion. This era saw the formation of the Heptarchy, Viking invasions, and the eventual unification of England under a single monarchy.

Definition: The Heptarchy refers to the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that dominated England during the Early Middle Ages.

The Heptarchy consisted of:

1. East Angles (East Anglia)
2. East Saxons (Essex)
3. Kent
4. Mercia
5. Northumbria
6. South Saxons (Sussex)
7. West Saxons (Wessex)

Highlight: The Vichinghi (Vikings) from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark began their raids on Britain in the 8th and 9th centuries, with a notable attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne in 793.

King Alfred the Great of Wessex (871-899) played a crucial role in uniting the Anglo-Saxons against the Viking invaders. He successfully reclaimed territories and reorganized the kingdom, laying the foundation for a unified English state. Alfred also encouraged the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, an important historical record of the time.

Example: The Battaglia di Hastings in 1066 marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman dominance in England.

The battle of Hastings saw William, Duke of Normandy, defeat Harold II of Wessex, who had claimed the throne based on an alleged promise from Edward the Confessor. William's victory led to his coronation as William I in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066, establishing a new era in English history.

Vocabulary: Giogo normanno refers to the Norman rule or yoke imposed on England following the conquest.

Quote: "From now on, most of the English monarchs will be crowned here, and several are buried here," referring to Westminster Abbey's significance in royal ceremonies.

This period also saw the construction and consecration of Westminster Abbey in 1065, which would become a central location for royal coronations and burials in the centuries to come.