1. The Anglo-Norman Invasions
England
Ruled by the Romans 56BC – AD410
Called Britannia
Two Germanic tribes invade in AD476
Angles
Saxons
French invade in 1066
William the Conqueror
Battle of Hastings

5. Anglo-Saxon invasion Several Germanic tribes
From Germany
From Denmark
From Norway
This helped to change the culture of Britannia from Roman to Germanic, but England had never become quite as Roman as had France, so it was an easier process.
The book Beowulf comes from this time, and is about Danish kings.

6. Christianity in England
Had been semi-Christian under the Romans
Lost Christianity when the Germans invaded
Were re-converted in the 500s by Augustine of Canterbury
Became leaders in monasticism
Christian men and women who vow to separate themselves from the world for the sake of prayer, purity
Venerable Bede ( )
Monk
Author of An Ecclesiastical History of the English People

8. Unity in England Semi-unified under Roman rule
Not unified under Anglo-Saxon rule
Each little region had its own ruler, its own culture
Mostly unified under the first man to be able to call himself King of England
Alfred the Great (r )
Was able to lead much of England against the Vikings
Still didn’t control all of the island

10. Alfred the Great 849 – 26 October 899
In Old English, name means “elf counsel”
King of Wessex (West Saxons) at first
Defended Wessex against Vikings
Led other regions to victory as well
Became the most powerful king on the island
First King of the West Saxons to style himself “King of the Anglo-Saxons”
Only English monarch to be called “the Great”
Devout Christian
Learned and merciful man
Encouraged education, improved legal system, military structure and quality of life

11. Norman conquest of England
January 1066 childless Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor died
William of Normandy was related to him, and thought he was going to become king when he died
Brother-in-law Harold Godwinson came to the throne
September 1066 Norwegian King Harald Hardrada invaded Northern England
September 25 Harold defeated and killed Harald
Days later, William landed in Southern England
Harold marched south, leaving over half his army in the north
October 14 Battle of Hastings
William defeated and killed Harold

12. Norman conquest of England
William faced rebellions
Not secure on his throne until after 1072
Lands of resisting English elite were confiscated
Some fled into exile
Gave lands to followers – new elite class
Built castles commanding military strongpoints throughout the land
Norman French became the language of the elites
Enfeoffed lands to be held directly from the king
Little alteration in the structure of government