40 likes | 205 Views
Kings and Nobles Struggled for Power in England and France. Chapter 7 Supplement. Anglo-Saxon England. Around 450, Germanic tribes begin to invade Britain. The two most important tribes settled and became powerful: Angles and Saxons 3 independent kingdoms formed:
E N D
Kings and Nobles Struggled for Power in England and France Chapter 7 Supplement
Anglo-Saxon England • Around 450, Germanic tribes begin to invade Britain. • The two most important tribes settled and became powerful: Angles and Saxons • 3 independent kingdoms formed: • Northumberland: Northern England/Scotland • Mercia: Central England • Wessex: Southern England • Kingdoms were divided into districts called shires, and ran by shire-reeves (sheriffs).
Alfred the Great • Early 800s: Wessex Kings control almost all of England • Challenged by Vikings (Danes) • 871: Alfred becomes King of Wessex • Convinces Vikings to leave Wessex by bribing them • Starts building ships, training/organizing his military. • 876: Alfred attacks the Danes, and Danes finally surrender in 886. Danes only allowed in Northumberland and a little bit of NE Mercia. • Interested in learning; had books translated from Latin, commanded scholars to write a history of England (they kept updating it for 250 years after he died).
Danish Rule • Alfred had won back almost all of England during his rule. • Strengthened the country, spread Christianity. • By 1013, Danes control England. • 1019: King Canute: Danish King brought England into part of the Danish Scandinavian kingdom. • Spent most of his time in England, and was a good ruler. • His sons were not good rulers • 1042: Anglo-Saxon nobles kick Danes out again, and make Edward the Confessor the new King.