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The Anglo-Saxon Period Part II “Anglo-Saxon England was born of warfare, remained forever a military society, and came to its end in battle.” - J. R. Lander
Vikings destroyed monasteries and sacred object Slaughtered everyone in settlements that couldn’t pay enough to them King Alfred of Wessex (871-899) forced Vikings to northern England Danelaw – dividing line between Viking Britain and Anglo-Saxon Britain Viking Invasions 8th-12th Centuries
Britain Britain was referred to as the "Tin lslands" by Herodotus, 450 B.C., and as "Albion" by Aristotle 350 B.C. The Celts were the ancestors of the ancient Britons and modern Welsh and were the first inhabitants of Britain. The Britons first appear in history by the invasion of Julius Caesar, with 12,000 infantry in 55 B.C.
Julius Caesar • He makes a second invasion with 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry, in 54, and defeats the confederated British forces, led by their king; accepts the submission of several tribes and departs the same year. Dissensions and wars prevail between the tribes till the next invasion under Claudius, in 43 A.D. (anno domini) Sanguinary war prevails, and in 50, Caractacus is defeated, and in 51, carried in chains to Rome.
Boadicea (Paul visits Britain in 61 A.D. and introduces Christianity) The Romans were soon after defeated and 70,000 slain by the furious Britons, led by Queen Boadicea. In 62 A.D., 10,000 Roman reinforcements arrive, when Boadicea is defeated, and 30,000 Britons massacred. She, in despair, poisons herself. In the year 76-8, Britain is subjugated, and Agricola appointed governor. He reforms the government, when Roman civilization begins to spread. In 85, Agricola Is recalled by Domitian. In 90, Britain being in a state of peace, steadily advances in the cultivation of the arts, and in social comforts.
120-304 In 120, Adrian visits Britain, and in 121 builds a wall of turf from the Tyne to the Solway Frith, as a defense against the outbreaks of the Caledonians In 140 the second wall of turf is completed. 178 Christian missionaries preach with success. 179, Lucius, first Christian king, reigns in Britain (?) and founds the Archbishopric of York, 180, (Bede). In 207 the Caledonians enter and ravage South Britain, 211, Caracella makes peace with them which lasts seventy years. In 296, the British coasts are ravaged by Scandinavian or Saxon pirates. In 296, the Caledonians again invade South Britain but are expelled, In 304, St. Alban, the proto-martyr in England, and I7,000 other Christians are martyred at Verulam (Bede).
In 365-8, the Picts and Scots ravage the country as far as London but are expelled by Theodosius. In 383, harassing attacks of Picts and Scots in the north, and of Saxons on the southern and eastern coasts. Total withdrawal of the Roman soldiers from Britain in 426. In 427 civil war begins, and the Picts, Scots, and Saxons greatly distress the country. In 446 an appeal to Rome is made for help, entitled "The groans of the Britons. In 448, Vortigern again applies in vain for aid of Rome. In 449, the Saxons and Angles (a fierce and warlike people from North Germany) are invited over by Vortigern to aid the Britons against the terrible invasion and ravages of the Picts and Scots. A few hundred came over and repelled the Caledonians with success. But tor permanent defense more forces were requisite.
Hengist is permitted to send for more, when in 451, he is reinforced by 5,000 fiery warriors. Having expelled the northern invaders and finding the country far better than their own; the Britons were in turn expelled, and sufficient territory obtained to found the Saxon Kingdom or Kent which was done by Hengist in 454, when he became the first Saxon King in England.
In 476 Saxon freebooters under their chieftain Ella, and his three sons, landed in Britain and penetrating the country drive the Britons farther inland, and in 490 found the kingdom of Sussex under Ella, Ruler or King, who reigned twenty-tour years, to 514 Cerdic, another chieftain arrives, and begins a Campaign of slaughter, when a complete victory over King Arthur (King Alfred the Great), the kingdom of Wessex is founded by Cerdic in 519. Still driving the Britons back, in 530 Essex was founded by Erchwin.
Essex embraced the County of Middlesex. including London, then "a town of some trade." In 547 Northumbria was founded by Ida. In 570 Uffa founds Angles, and in 586 Mercia was founded by Crida, when the Britons have little left save Wales.