3.2: The Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and the Norman Conquest

The Anglo-Saxons

The Invasions After Rome

When the Roman army left Britain in AD 410 to defend other parts of the Roman Empire, they never returned. As a result, Britain faced invasions from tribes coming from northern Europe. These invaders included the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons. The languages they spoke formed the basis of what would later become modern-day English. Although battles were fought against these tribes, by around AD 600, several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were established, primarily in what is now England. One notable Anglo-Saxon burial site is at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, where a king was buried with treasure and armour, placed in a ship and covered by a mound of earth.

Areas Beyond Anglo-Saxon Rule

Parts of western Britain, such as what is now Wales, and regions of Scotland remained free from Anglo-Saxon control during this period.

The Spread of Christianity

Initially, the Anglo-Saxons practiced paganism, but during this period, Christian missionaries began arriving in Britain. Missionaries from Ireland, such as St Patrick, who later became the patron saint of Ireland, spread Christianity in the north. Another significant figure was St Columba, who founded a monastery on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Meanwhile, missionaries from Rome, led by St Augustine, brought Christianity to the south of Britain. St Augustine would later become the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Vikings

Viking Invasions Begin

The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway. They first arrived in Britain in AD 789, raiding coastal towns and taking away goods and slaves. Over time, however, they began to settle in Britain, especially in the east of England and parts of Scotland.

King Alfred the Great and the Danelaw

In response to the Viking invasions, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms united under King Alfred the Great, who successfully defeated the Vikings. Despite this, many Viking invaders stayed in Britain, particularly in the east and north of England, in an area known as the Danelaw. Several place names in this region, such as Grimsby and Scunthorpe, have Viking origins. Over time, the Viking settlers integrated with local communities, with some converting to Christianity.

Danish Kings in England

Anglo-Saxon kings continued to rule England, except for a brief period when Danish kings took control. The first Danish king to rule England was Cnut, also known as Canute.

The Unification of Scotland

In the north, the threat of Viking attacks led to the unification of the local people under one king, Kenneth MacAlpin. It was during this time that the term Scotland began to be used to describe the country.

The Norman Conquest

The Invasion of 1066

In 1066, William, the Duke of Normandy (a region in what is now northern France), launched an invasion of England. His forces defeated King Harold, the last Saxon king of England, at the Battle of Hastings, where Harold was killed. Following this victory, William became the king of England and earned the title William the Conqueror. This decisive battle is famously commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry, a significant piece of embroidery that remains on display in France today.

The Impact of the Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest was the last successful foreign invasion of England and brought significant changes to the country’s governance and social structures. Norman French, the language spoken by the new ruling elite, had a lasting influence on the development of the English language, shaping it into what we recognize today.

Norman Expansion and Conflicts

Although the Normans initially expanded their control into Wales, the Welsh eventually reclaimed much of their land. In Scotland, conflict arose between the Normans and the Scots along the border with England. While the Normans seized some territory near the border, they did not invade Scotland.

The Domesday Book

Under William’s reign, he ordered a detailed survey of England, known as the Domesday Book. This survey recorded information about every town and village, including details of the people living there, the ownership of land, and the number of animals. The Domesday Book still exists today and provides a valuable glimpse into English society shortly after the Norman Conquest.