Anglo-Saxon and Viking Invasions of Britain

The people who lived in Britain before the Anglo-Saxons arrived.

The period of British history from the end of the Roman occupation in 410 AD to the Norman conquest in 1066 AD.

The language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, which is the ancestor of modern English.

The Germanic tribes who migrated to Britain in the 5th century AD.

The rulers of Britain who invited the Anglo-Saxons to help fight off the Picts and Scotti.

Saxon warrior brothers who were invited to Britain by Vortigern to fight the Picts and Scotti.

A group of people who lived in present-day Scotland and threatened Vortigern's rule.

The Anglo-Saxon language was very similar to other Germanic languages.

Anglo-Saxon law enforced order and justice within communities. It was based on a hierarchical system, starting with local courts (Tithings and Hundreds) and culminating in the king's authority.

A group of ten families in Anglo-Saxon England responsible for maintaining order and enforcing laws against crimes like murder and theft.

A collection of ten Tithings, forming a larger unit in Anglo-Saxon society. They elected a constable to oversee and maintain order.

The head of a shire, or county, in Anglo-Saxon England who was responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order within the shire.

Anglo-Saxon law used fines as primary punishment for crimes. The severity of the fine depended on the severity of the crime.

A system in Anglo-Saxon law where a person who injured or killed another had to pay compensation to the victim or their family to prevent blood feuds and maintain peace.

Compensation paid by a person who injured another in Anglo-Saxon law.

Compensation paid by a person who killed another in Anglo-Saxon law to the deceased's family, aimed at preventing blood feuds.

Anglo-Saxon houses were generally built with timber, leather, and textiles, but most houses were short-lived. Only major churches were made of stone.

The largest house in an Anglo-Saxon village, where the king and his warriors resided. It was characterized by its length and a central fire.

Fortified towns built by Alfred the Great to protect Anglo-Saxon England from Viking raids. They were constructed with deep trenches and strong walls, offering strategic protection and a place for defenders.

Vikings targeted monasteries for their wealth, raiding Lindisfarne in 793, where they plundered treasures and enslaved monks.

Viking laws were passed orally and not written down. Offenders were punished and could be declared outlaws.

A type of duel among Vikings where the winner was seen as favored by the gods.

Viking society believed in the creation of the first humans, Ask and Embla, from a tree by deities Odin and his brothers.

The Vikings were Norsemen, people who originated primarily from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They were known for their skills as explorers, traders, and warriors.

The term 'vik' in Old Norse refers to a bay or creek, often associated with 'vikinger,' meaning pirates.

Viking ships were long, constructed from planks, and capable of traveling long distances with up to 200 men. Their advanced design allowed them to withstand rough seas.

The Vikings were known for their raiding activities, primarily targeting Christian monasteries in Britain. These monasteries were vulnerable due to their lack of protection and wealth in gold, jewels, and supplies.

The Vikings' main settlement in England was known as Danelaw, located in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

The Vikings were skilled traders who traveled throughout Europe, the far east, and central Asia. They sold items like furs, amber, timber, and iron, trading for silver, spices, wine, and other goods.

Slaves were a significant commodity traded by the Vikings. They were acquired from eastern Europe, the British Isles, and even within their own society.

The Vikings, driven by overpopulation and a desire for riches, embarked on voyages of exploration and raiding. Their voyages led them to discover North America, becoming the first Europeans to reach the continent.

The Anglo-Saxons were successful in settling in Britain, as evidenced by the spread of the English language.

Anglo-Saxons were a literate people, as demonstrated by the many books written and read in England before 1100.

England, during the Anglo-Saxon period, was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in Europe due to successful trade and the efficient use of land in towns and villages.

The Wessex royal family held a hereditary right to rule in England, though succession to the throne was not guaranteed. The Witan, a council of leaders, had the right to choose the best successor from the royal house.

In Anglo-Saxon society, the earls were the king's top advisors, each ruling a shire. The position was not hereditary, but it became customary to select earls from a few influential families.

Thegn, a position below an earl in Anglo-Saxon society, formed the backbone of the Anglo-Saxon army. Through distinguished service, they could receive land from the king and rise to become earls.

Freemen were commoners in Anglo-Saxon society who held land freely without paying rent to a lord. Some were expected to participate in local courts to resolve disputes.

The Viking alphabet which is carved into objects, called runes, used to create early records in runic language.

A Norse warrior, sometimes called a 'Northman', known for their raiding and pilfering practices across European waters in the Viking Age. They often arrived from the North.

A ship with a pointed prow, used by the Vikings for raiding, exploration, and commerce. They are traditionally characterized by their long, sweeping hull.

The Anglo-Saxon prince, Edgar the Aetheling, was considered the natural heir to the English throne in 1066. But he was young and lacked the power and experience to become king.

The King of Norway, Harald Hardrada, was a formidable Viking warrior who also had a claim to the English throne in 1066. His claim was based on a promise made to his father, Magnus, by Harthacnut.

Harold Godwinson was the Earl of Wessex and one of the most powerful men in England. He was the most likely candidate to succeed King Edward the Confessor, claiming he had been promised the throne.

William, Duke of Normandy, was a distant cousin of Edward the Confessor. He also claimed the English throne in 1066 based on a promise made to him. He sought support from the Pope and his Norman forces.

The 'Battle of Stamford Bridge' was a pivotal battle in 1066 where Harald Hardrada was defeated by Harold Godwinson. This victory allowed Harold to quickly gather his army for the Battle of Hastings, as William was also invading.

The Battle of Hastings was a decisive battle in 1066 where William, Duke of Normandy, defeated Harold Godwinson. This battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England and the beginning of Norman rule.

This story of intrigue and political conflict describes how the Anglo-Saxon rule in England was ended by William, Duke of Normandy, through the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William then became known as William the Conqueror.

After the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Saxon nobility lost their power and influence. They were either exiled or demoted to peasantry. This drastic shift in power and land control was a significant consequence of the conquest.

The 'Witan' was an assembly of powerful nobles in Anglo-Saxon England who advised the king and had a role in choosing the next ruler.

This refers to the story of Edward the Confessor, who died without an heir, leading to a power struggle for the throne of England in 1066. This paved the way for the Norman Conquest.

A method used by William the Conqueror to suppress rebellion in the north of England after the Norman Conquest. It involved burning villages, slaughtering livestock, and destroying crops.

Concentric castles have two or more rings of defensive walls, offering multiple lines of defense.

These were replaced by round towers because they provided a wider field of vision and were harder to undermine, making them a stronger defense.

After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror faced significant opposition, leading to several rebellions. The most serious uprising occurred in York in 1069, led by Edgar the Atheling.

In 1069, after suppressing a rebellion in York led by Edgar the Atheling, William the Conqueror employed a ruthless strategy to deter further resistance. He ordered villages to be burned, animals slaughtered, and crops destroyed, leading to widespread devastation and death.

After the Norman Conquest, Anglo-Saxons who were commoners learned Norman French to communicate with the new rulers.

Anglo-Saxon English, the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest, was considered "Middle English" by scholars around 1200.

After the Norman Conquest, many Anglo-Saxon churches and religious buildings were replaced with Norman-inspired architecture.

The Battle of Hastings, a pivotal event in English history where King William of Normandy defeated King Harold of England, started at around 9 am on October 14th, 1066.

The Battle of Hastings took place on a small hill with streams flanking the English army and woods behind, making it difficult for them to retreat.

The English army at the Battle of Hastings formed a strong shield wall with King Harold at the center, while the Norman army was arranged in three lines below.

Both the English and the Normans at the Battle of Hastings wore similar armor, including helmet styles and mail coats.

One key difference between the English and the Normans was that the Normans had a large cavalry force and a line of archers, including some who used crossbows.

The Norman archers' first attack was ineffective due to long distances and their arrows mainly flying over the English heads.

During the Battle of Hastings, the Normans used a tactic called the 'feigned retreat', pretending to flee to lure the English into a chase, breaking their shield wall.

King William of Normandy was the king at the top of the feudal system, and he controlled all the land in England after the Norman Conquest.

King William gave land to nobles, clergy, lords, and barons in exchange for their loyalty, taxes, and military support in the feudal system.

The feudal system in England consisted of nobles, clergy, lords, ladies, and knights, and peasants who worked the land in exchange for protection and support.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and wealth in England, was used to assess taxes and raise funds for the army, especially to counter potential Viking invasions.

A detailed survey of land and resources in England conducted in 1086 by William the Conqueror.

The system used by William the Conqueror to divide England into different regions based on existing county borders.

The act of requiring landowners to provide detailed information about their land holdings.

The officials appointed by William the Conqueror to question landowners and check details about their land.

The region of England that covered Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, known for its detailed records in the Domesday Book.

The larger volume of the Domesday Book covering the rest of England, likely completed by a single scribe.

A fortified structure built by the Normans to protect themselves and assert their dominance over England.

The main hill of a motte-and-bailey castle, often topped with a wooden tower.

A tall wooden fence used to protect motte-and-bailey castles.

A type of castle built from stone, characterized by a strong central tower.

The initial building blocks of a motte-and-bailey castle, often made of wood.

A common feature of motte-and-bailey castles, used for defense.

The most common type of castle built in England during the Norman period.

The reason why motte-and-bailey castles were built in prominent positions.