1. Anglo-Saxon England
Period from the end of Roman occupation in the 5th century until the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror.
The term “Anglo-Saxon” refers to people from Northern Germany and Denmark who raided Britain and set up new kingdoms.
Talk about the Celts at the end of this slide!

2. Anglo-Saxon also refers to the language spoken, now called Old English
Modern English is the descendent of this language
Agricultural people
Pagan people until the end of the 6th century
Converted to Christianity when St. Augustine from Rome became to Archbishop of Canterbury

3. The growth of Christianity brought about important changes:
Estates were formed
Brought books and formed libraries
Schools for clergy
The Venerable Bede ( AD)
“Ecclesiastical History of the English People”
“Beowulf” (~700 AD)

4. By the 9th century, Wessex was the strongest kingdom
Under King Egbert of Wessex, all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were united to form “England”
King Egbert became the first king of England

5. From the end of the 8th century, Vikings began to raid England.
Many that invaded settled
Northern Scotland
Eastern England
Formed Dublin
Lived in tribes and were pagans
Tried to invade Wessex in 871 AD, but faced great resistance from King Alfred

6. King Alfred, “Alfred the Great”, created an army and navy.
Won several victories over the Vikings, also called the “Danes”
The Danes were allowed to settle in “Danelaw”, a part of England on the North border of Wessex, where they made York their capital.
Had books translated into Anglo-Saxon from Latin
Ordered “The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” to be written

7. In 1016, England was conquered by the Danish King Canute
Divided England into territorial lordships
Provided a unified system of government
After Canute’s death, the throne was passed to his sons
Their reign was short
Throne passed to King Edward, called “Edward the Confessor”
Restored the Saxon line of kings