This is just the sort of elite military kit that comprises the Staffordshire Hoard , discovered in Although a definite connection is elusive, the hoard typifies the warlike atmosphere of the mid-seventh century, and the unique importance in Anglo-Saxon society of male warrior elites. It was a tall order for his tiny mission, but gradually the seven kingdoms did convert, and became exemplary Christians — so much so that they converted their old tribal homelands in Germany.
One reason why they converted was because the church said that the Christian God would deliver them victory in battles. When this failed to materialise, some Anglo-Saxon kings became apostate, and a different approach was required.
The truth was that people in the civilised south of Europe dreaded the idea of going to England, which was considered barbaric and had a terrible reputation. The pope decided to send both men, to keep each other company on the long journey. After more than a year and many adventures they arrived, and set to work to reform the English church.
Theodore lived to be 88, a grand old age for those days, and Hadrian, the young man who had fled from his home in north Africa, outlived him, and continued to devote himself to his task until his death in AD Alfred never expected to be king — he had three older brothers — but when he was four years old on a visit to Rome the pope seemed to have granted him special favour when his father presented him to the pontiff.
As he grew up, Alfred was constantly troubled by illness, including irritating and painful piles — a real problem in an age where a prince was constantly in the saddle. Asser, the Welshman who became his biographer, relates that Alfred suffered from another painful, draining malady that is not specified. In July the eldest son of King Edgar, Edward, was crowned king.
Edward, however, was only 15 and was hot-tempered and ungovernable. She wanted her own son to be king — at any cost. One day in , Edward decided to pay Elfrida and Aethelred a visit in their residence at Corfe in Dorset. As Edward stooped to accept this, the grooms grabbed his bridle and stabbed him repeatedly in the stomach. Edward managed to ride away but bled to death, and was hastily buried by the conspirators. It was foul regicide, the gravest of crimes, and Aethelred, even though he may not have been involved in the plot, was implicated in the minds of the common people, who attributed his subsequent disastrous reign to this, in their eyes, monstrous deed.
During the dissolution of the monasteries the grave was lost, but in it was rediscovered. He was constantly vacillating, frequently cowardly, and always seemed to pick the worst men possible to advise him. It is a recurring theme in history that powerful men in trouble look for others to take the blame. Aethelred was convinced that the woes of the English kingdom were all the fault of the Danes, who had settled in the country for many generations and who were by now respectable Christian citizens.
On 13 November , secret orders went out from the king to slaughter all Danes, and massacres occurred all over southern England. The north of England was so heavily settled by the Danes that it is probable that it escaped the brutal plot.
The Anglo-Saxons had become a Christian people. This burial of an East Anglian king provides a rich case study from which we can draw inferences about kingship, religion, warfare, trade, craftsmanship. After , when the Vikings raided Lindisfarne Monastery, the history of the Anglo-Saxons becomes entangled with that of the Vikings.
In many ways they were similar: in language, religion and Northern European origins, yet they are not the same.
The very fact that they invaded Britain at different times makes them two very distinct peoples in our history. Membership Contact us Support us About us. Historical Periods A-level topic guides Transition to university Choosing history Careers with history Competitions. Working with schools Guide to history in schools Public outreach Transition to university Publish with us About us. More Close. Add to My HA Add to folder. For access to hundreds of other high-quality resources by primary history experts along with free or discounted CPD and membership of a thriving community of teachers and subject leaders, join the Historical Association today The Anglo-Saxon period in Britain spans approximately the six centuries from AD.
A short history of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain Anglo-Saxon mercenaries had for many years fought in the Roman army in Britain, so they were not total strangers to the island. By AD there were seven separate kingdoms, as follows: Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, c.
Sussex : the South Saxons settled here. Areas worth examining Poetry Three poems give excellent insights into the Anglo-Saxons: The Ruin , an anonymous poem written about the ruin and decay of a Roman town see lesson plan and resources on The end of Roman Britain - the poem text is available via the 'resources' attachment Beowulf , about the great hero who fought and killed the monster Grendel and his mother, became a great king and met his death fighting an enraged dragon.
Who was the last Anglo Saxon King and where did he die? Last Saxon King. Follow me on Twitter mbarrow. I teach computers at The Granville School and St. John's Primary School in Sevenoaks Kent. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the author Mandy Barrow. Anglo-Saxons in Britain.
Search our website. Anglo Saxon Timeline Where did they come from? Why did Anglo-Saxons invade Britain?
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