CIRCA 410 to 520:Angles, Saxons and Jutes settle in England
Tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes (later called the Anglo-Saxons), coming from Denmark and northern Germany, crossed the English Channel to invade Brittany of old (England or Great Britain current). The Anglo-Saxons call the territories they conquer “The Land of the Angles ” and this is where the word “England was born “.
CIRCA 600:England is divided into 7 independent kingdoms
The Anglo-Saxons founded 7 kingdoms in England :Northumbria , the Thank you , East Anglia , Essex , Kent , the Sussex and Wessex . Each is ruled by a warrior-king who rules over populations of nobles, peasants and slaves. Unlike slaves, nobles and peasants are free, but have an obligation to fight for their king. At their death, the Anglo-Saxon kings are sometimes buried in a ship, surrounded by fabulous treasures:Helmets, weapons, jewelry. The majority of Anglo-Saxons live in villages and some in larger towns. The men work in the fields, hunt or fish, or are still potters, blacksmiths or carpenters. The women cook, make clothes, take care of the chickens and pigs.
CIRCA 800:Danish invasion
Armies of Danes (Vickings from Denmark) invade England and conquer all the kingdoms except Wessex.
EN 871:Alfred is crowned King of Wessex
Vikings settle in London and force the young king of Wessex, Alfred, to buy peace. Alfred will thereafter be known as Alfred the Great for his promising career and the anecdotes of his childhood that have remained in the annals. He reigns over the kingdom of Wessex until his death in 899.
EN 874/878:King Alfred repels the Danish armies from Wessex
He takes back also control of Sussex , from Kent and Thank you . He allows the Danes to settle in the eastern part of England and continues to govern the rest of the country. He builds fortified towns and maintains a very efficient fleet. He establishes just laws and encourages art, religion and education.
BETWEEN 924 AND 939:Reign of Athelstan
Athelstan , grandson of Alfred the Great, is king of England.
BETWEEN 1013 AND 1042:England was ruled by Danish kings
The Danes invade England again and ruled it for 30 years.
BETWEEN 1042 AND 1066:Reign of King Edward I
The Anglo-Saxons regain control of England and Edward I, known as the Confessor, is crowned king. He is very religious and builds Westminster Abbey. On his death in 1066, Harold , Earl of Wessex, is crowned King of England .
IN 1066:End of the reign of the Anglo-Saxons:
Harold bat a viking army at Stamford Bridge, then was defeated by the Normans who conquered England.
