England: The Saxon Period

In 410 AD, the Roman emperor, Honorius, sent word to the citizens of the province of Britain to make their own arrangements for their safety. The exit of the Roman legions led to the arrival of Germanic tribes, the Angles, Saxons and the Jutes. Roman civilization in Britain was submerged, although not entirely lost. Celtic inhabitants were displaced to Wales, Scotland and Cornwall. By about 600, several minor kingdoms had emerged, such as Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria. The first coins started to be issued about this time. In 598, St. Augustine re-introduced Christianity to the islands. Contacts with continental Europe were strong although the power of individual kingdoms in Britain waxed and waned. Mercia was particularly strong under Offa (757 - 796) who was considered an equal to the great Charlemagne (768 - 814). In 793 came the first of the Viking raids in Northumbria. However, in 865 came a major attack by the "Great Army". Not until 878 was Alfred, king of Wessex, after much troubles and cake-burning, able to turn the tables. Even then, the problems with the Vikings (AKA Danes) were not over. Whether in common cause against the invaders or not, the individual kingdoms came together so that Eadgar (959 - 975) became REX ANGLORUM, king of England. In 1066, the last Viking invasion, that of Harold Hardrada, was defeated by Harold II at Stamford Bridge. King Harold then marched south to meet another threat, that of William of Normandy. On 14th October, 1066, on Senlac Hill near Hastings, Harold lost his life and the Saxons, England.

England Bibliography

List of Rulers of England

Click on image for more details and history

Saxon England 710 - 720 AR Sceat	For a list of the Rulers of the component kingdoms of Britain see here	Saxon Northumbria; Aethelred II First Reign 841 - 844 AE Sceat	Viking Kingdom of York c. 895-902 AR Penny
Saxon Mercia; Burgred 852 - 874 AR Penny	Saxon Wessex; Alfred the Great 871 - 899 AR Penny	Edward the Elder	Saxon England: Aethelstan 924 - 939 AR Penny
Edmund I Eadred Eadwig	Saxon England: Eadgar 959 - 975 AR Penny	Edmund the Martyr	Aethelred II the Unready 978 - 1016 AR Longcross Penny
Sweyn Edmund II Ironside	Cnut (Canute) 1017 - 1023 AR Quatrefoil Penny	Harold I -Harefoot 1017 - 1023 AR Jewel Cross Penny	Harthacnut
Edward the Confessor 1042 - 1066 AR Helmet type of Penny	Harold II

England: The Saxon Period
England: Medieval Period
England: The Stuarts
Great Britain from George I