From the Heptarchy to the Norman Conquest
The history of early medieval England is marked by the transition from the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy to the Norman Conquest. This period saw significant changes in the political landscape, including the rise and fall of various kingdoms, Viking invasions, and ultimately, the Norman takeover.
Vocabulary: Heptarchy - A system of seven kingdoms that dominated Anglo-Saxon England from the 7th to the 9th centuries.
The Heptarchy consisted of seven main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Mercia, Northumbria, Sussex, and Wessex. By the mid-7th century, Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex had emerged as the most powerful among these.
Highlight: The three largest kingdoms - Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex - became the most influential by the middle of the 7th century.
The Viking era began in the late 8th century, with their first recorded attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne in 793. These Norse warriors from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark gradually settled in England, significantly impacting its political and cultural landscape.
King Alfred the Great of Wessex played a crucial role in uniting the Anglo-Saxons against the Vikings. His achievements included:
- Reclaiming occupied territories
- Reorganizing the army
- Building a fleet
- Establishing fortified towns
- Promoting religion and learning
- Encouraging the writing of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle"
Example: Alfred's efforts led to the creation of the "Kingdom of Anglo-Saxons" around 878 when Mercia accepted his lordship.
Alfred's successors continued to expand and consolidate Anglo-Saxon power. His son Edward extended control into the Midlands and East Anglia, while his grandson Athelstan conquered Northumbria in 927, further establishing royal authority, law, and coinage.
However, the Vikings returned with renewed violence in the 990s, leading to the practice of Danegeld - protection money paid to avoid Viking attacks. In 1013, the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard took the throne, followed by his son Canute, who ruled a North Sea empire including Denmark, Norway, and England.
Definition: Danegeld - A tax levied by the Anglo-Saxon kings to buy off Viking attackers or to finance defense against them.
The last Anglo-Saxon king was Edward the Confessor, known for his religious devotion and the construction of Westminster Abbey. Upon his death, Harold II of Wessex crowned himself king, but his reign was short-lived.
The Norman Conquest of 1066 marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era. Led by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, the Normans invaded Britain and defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings.
Quote: "Normans fought using archers and mounted warriors, whereas Harold's men were mainly foot soldiers."
This pivotal battle changed the course of English history, introducing Norman rule and profoundly impacting England's social, political, and cultural landscape for centuries to come.
