From Scandinavia (Modern Denmark, Norway and Sweden) Name 'Viking' means “pirate raid“ in Old Norse Dominated Northern Europe from about 700 to 1100 CE. Raided European towns and settled in other areas

Map showing Viking conquests, raids, and settlements.

Picture of a Viking ship from an early Anglo-Saxon history book showing the ship’s wooden planks and 'dragon-head'.

Actual Viking ship discovered in a burial mound in Norway

Under Roman control until 410 CE Germanic tribes the Angles, Saxons, & Jutes come over from continental Europe King Alfred the Great unites Anglo- Saxon kingdoms in the 870s Later defended the kingdom against Viking conquest

Alfred’s grandson Æthelstan became the first King of England in 927 Defeated an invasion by the King of Scotland Later King Edward the Confessor died without an heir in 1066

William the Duke of Normandy wanted the throne Normandy was a former Viking settlement in France He leads Norman Conquest of England in 1066 C.E. Wins the Battle of Hastings to control England

The Battle of Hastings

Henry II – King of England from 1154 – 1189 Helped establish the Common Law system - the same laws throughout England His son King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 This limited royal power for the first time

King John signing the Magna Carta in 1215

Not a nation but a collection of small feudal lands Hugh Capet elected to throne by nobles in 987 CE – began the Capetian family rule. The “Capetians” expand control Enlarged territory & appointed officials across France Picture shows Cluny Abbey in Saône-et-Loire, France - founded in 910.

England vs. France Fought from 1337 – 1453 due to conflicts over French lands and crown English were winning at first due to superior weapons

Teenage Joan of Arc said heavenly voices told her to save France Led a French army to victory at Orleans Captured by English & burned for witchcraft Inspired French to rally, drive English out of France

Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans

Key Effects of the war: Each country feels unity Helps lead to the decline of feudalism More people in towns New middle class willing to pay taxes for armies

Visigoths on the Iberian peninsula convert to Christianity in 587 Muslim Umayyad dynasty invades from North Africa in late 700’s The Reconquista (Christian reconquering) began later and would last 700 years

Mongols invaded Russia in the 1200’s and ruled until 1480 Ivan III (Ivan the Great) threw off Mongol rule Centralized power expanded Russian nation Adopted Eastern Orthodox Church from the Byzantine Empire