The Anglo-Saxon period

Anglo-Saxons invade England

449

Groups: the Angles,the Saxons and the Jutes (who are not very powerful, as the name of the period is only "Anglo-Saxon"). They are Germanic tribes.

Anglo-Saxon Literature

Period: 449 to 1066

The works include genres such as epic poetry, hagiography, sermons, Bible translations, legal works, chronicles, riddles, and others. About 400 surviving manuscripts from the period. The most important works: the poem Beowulf, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Development of society

560

Small tribial areas become larger kingdoms. Most of the population farmed land in order to get food. Slaves, peasant farmers (work for the Lord), the ceorl (free peasant farmers).

Roman Cleric Saint Augustine's arrival in Kent

597

As the Anglo-Saxons had their own religious believes (paganisim), Saint Augustine is sent from Rome to convert most them to Christianity. He becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Larger kingdoms in the South and East coasts

600

By the end of the 6th century, the provinces of the Jutes of Hampshire and Wight, the South Saxons, Kent, the East Saxons, East Angles, Lindsey and Deira and Bernicia.The leaders of these regions name themselves as kings.

The Monastery of Lindisfarne is established

633

After the King of Northumbria dies, the Christian mission collapsed. The new King sent Aiden (Irish missionary) to be the new bishop. Then, he founds this monastery.

Theodore of Tarsus becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury

669

He is a Greek-speaking monk. He is later joined by his collague Hadrian (Latin-speaking African). They make Canterbury a major centre of learning.

Vikings invasions start

793

They feel attracted by the wealth of monasteries and the success of Anglo-Saxon society. In 793, Lindisfarne is attacked, then Iona in 795.The raids continue until 850, then they start to establish settlements.

The Vikings conquer Norhumbria and East Anglia

870

They try to settle in Reading but an army, under the command of Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire, defeated them.

Battle of Reading

871

Second battle between the Vikings and the Kingdom of Wessex (leads by King Athelred and his brother Alfred. Athelred dies and Alfred takes the throne.

The Vikings take Wessex

878

King Alfred of Wessex hides, but then, he calls up an army and defeats the Vikings, resulting in a division of the English territory by 886. He, then, become the King of the Anglo-Saxons.

King Alfred the Great dies

899

Before hi dies, he wanted to translate texts into Old English by students who could read Latin.
After his death, his son, Edwerd the Elder, takes his place. Under his regin, the armies of Wessex begin to conquer the rest of England from the Vikings' rule.

English territory expansion

900

During the 10th century, the West Saxons kings extended their power over Mercia, northern Danelaw and Northumbria, under Edward the Elder's guidance.

Athelstan, the new King of all England

927

Hi is Edward the Elder's son. Before taking the throne, he annexed the Viking kingdom of York. In 937, Constantine of Scots, Owain of Strathclyde, and Olaf Guthfrithson joined forces and invaded England, but they were defeated (Battle of Brunanburh). He dies in 939, and his half-brother, Edmund, takes his place.

The last Viking King of York is expelled

954

The Vikings have returned

978

Under the reign of Athelred the Unready. In 1002, the King proclaims that Danes linving in England will be executed. By 1009, the raids become more agressive. The King of Denmark conqueres England in 1013.

Athelred returns to England

1016

In 1014, Sweyn Forkbeard dies (King of Denmark), therefore, Athelred comes back to England, but he is attacked by Sweyn's son (Cnut). Athelred dies in 1016, and his successor is Edmund Ironside.

Battle of Assandun

Nov 11, 1016

The English are defeated. Edmund and Cnut agree to divide the territory: Edmund gets Wessex and Cnut gets Mercia. As Edmund dies the same year, Cnut takes all the power.

King Edward, the Confessor

1042

Athelred the Unready's son. He lived in Normandy until 1014. In 1042, King Edward becomes the King of England, succeding his half-brother Hardecanute. Hi is married to the daughter of Godwin of Wessex (most important nobleman in England).

Earl Godwin is exiled

1051

During the visit of Edward's brother-in-law, Dover suffers riots from his men. Therefore, the King orders Godwin (earl of Kent) to punish them, but he refuses, being exiled to Flanders.

Earl Godwin returns to England

1052

He comes back with an army, commanded by his sons, Harold and Tostig. No nobleman is willing to support the King, therefore he is foreced to send his Normans advisors back to Normandy; and he has to accept Godwin into the kingdom again.

Godwin dies

1053

He is succeded by his son Harold

Siward, the King of Northumbria dies

1055

As his son is considered too young for the throne, it is given to Godwin's son, Tostig.

The earls of Mercia (Leofric) and East Anglia die

1057

Leofric's son Aelfgar succeeded as Earl of Mercia, and Harold's brother, Gyrth succeeded Aelfgar as Earl of East Anglia.

The Earl of Northumbria kills his followers

1065

They turn against his rule and named Morcar (Edwin of Mercia's brother) to be earl. They march to south, meeting with Harold. Tostig accusses Harold of plotting against the king, who demandes that the revolt be over, but no one supports Tostig.

King Edward dies

1066

Before his death, he named Harold his successor. He dies and is buried in the abby he constructed in Westminster. The Normans overpower the Anglo-Saxons, ending with this period.