A-S period až war of roses

THE ANGLO-SAXONS AND THE VIKINGS (410 AD - 1066 AD)

410 AD - Anglo-Saxon Settlement

  • The Anglo-Saxons migrated across the North Sea from regions that are modern-day Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

  • They primarily settled in the South of England, particularly in Wessex.

  • The early Anglo-Saxons were predominantly farmers.

  • They lived in wooden huts characterized by

    their craftsmanship in wood and metalwork.

  • The Anglo-Saxons are credited as the people with the greatest influence on Britain's development, with their language and values permeating British culture.

  • They emphasized qualities such as physical strength and loyalty to their clan.

  • The heroic warrior ideal was celebrated in the epic poem Beowulf.

  • The Anglo-Saxons created a political structure known as the Heptarchy, which consisted of the following seven kingdoms:
      - Northumbria
      - Mercia
      - East Anglia
      - Essex
      - Wessex
      - Kent
      - Sussex

597 AD - Arrival of Augustine in Kent

  • Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory I the Great, arrived in Kent to spread Christianity among the pagan Celts and Anglo-Saxons.

  • He was granted land by the king to establish a church, leading to the founding of the Canterbury Cathedral in 602 AD.

  • Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, a position that is still regarded as the most important in the Church of England.

  • Monasteries that developed during this time became vital cultural centers.

635 AD - Foundation of Lindisfarne Monastery

  • The monastery at Lindisfarne was established off the northeast coast of England.

  • Monks at Lindisfarne created illuminated Gospels that are now displayed at the British Library in London.

793 AD - Viking Attacks on England

  • The Vikings, referred to as 'Danes' by the English, were seafaring people from Scandinavia.

  • They attacked regions such as the Northeast of England in search of treasure, livestock, and slaves.

  • In 793 AD, they attacked the Lindisfarne monastery, leading to the destruction of numerous manuscripts and the enslavement of monks.

  • The Vikings established Danelaw, a code of Danish laws that governed the areas administered by the Danes.

  • Their language influenced local dialects, evident in place names ending with -thorpe, -by, and -kirk.

871-899 - Reign of Alfred the Great

  • King Alfred the Great of Wessex became the notable resistance leader against the Viking invasions.

  • He was renowned as the most famous Anglo-Saxon king and engaged in battles against the Vikings in Wessex.

  • Ultimately, Alfred negotiated peace, allowing the English and Vikings to coexist, with the English in the Southwest and the Vikings in the Northeast.

The Origins of Halloween

  • Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has its roots in Celtic traditions.

  • In the 5th century BC, the Celts believed that summer concluded on October 31st, marking a night when ghosts and witches returned, allowing evil spirits to enter living beings.

  • People donned frightening costumes and lit large fires to ward off these spirits.

  • Over time, Christian practices supplanted pagan ones, with the church calling November 1st All Hollows Day (or All Saints Day), transforming October 31st into All Hollows Eve, and subsequently Halloween.

  • The term hollow derives from Old English, meaning holy.

Key Tribes and Character of the Anglo-Saxon Period

  • The Anglo-Saxon period saw three main tribes:
      - The Angles
        - Contributed significantly to the development of the Old English language.
        - The term England itself originates from their name.
      - The Saxons
      - The Jutes

  • The native population included groups from regions such as Cornwall and Scotland, many of whom were enslaved.

THE PERIOD OF FEUDALISM, MIDDLE AGES (1066 - 15th Century)

The Norman Conquest

  • The period was characterized by the tyrannical rule of the Normans, establishing a strong feudal state in England.

  • The Norman Conquest was completed in 1069 AD, resulting in a feudal structure similar to that in Europe and exposing French cultural influences in English law and governance.

Social Structure After the Norman Conquest

  • A tripartite division of society emerged:
      - King
      - Barons/Bishops/Lords
      - Knights
      - Peasants/Serfs

  • Feudalism was defined such that land was granted in exchange for service to a king, with the hierarchy as follows:
      - King → Greater Nobles → Lesser Nobles → Knights → Freemen → Serfs

  • Each individual at a level was expected to pledge loyalty and service to their lord, formalized through an act of homage.

Domesday Book

  • The Domesday Book was a comprehensive record detailing the population, possessions, and taxes, illustrating the vast control William had over two territories:
      - Normandy (inherited from his father)
      - England (conquered through war)

  • After William's death, power struggles erupted among his sons:
      - Robert - Duke of Normandy
      - William II (known as Rufus) - King of England (whose reign ended in his death)
      - Henry - acted swiftly to become king and later invaded Normandy in 1106, uniting England and Normandy under one ruler.

The Late Middle Ages

  • This era was marred by continuous wars, plague, and general disorder, leading society to transition from feudalism towards a pre-industrial era.

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

  • This long conflict stemmed from King Edward III's claim to the French throne.

  • The war unfolded in three distinct stages:
      - 1st Stage (1337-1360) - Known as the Eduardian War, characterized by significant victories:
        - The Black Prince, Edward of Woodstock, was celebrated for his military prowess.
        - Major battles included: Crécy and Poitiers, leading to English control over the English Channel.
        - Treaty of Bretigny solidified English gains.
      - 2nd Stage (1369-1375) - Marked by the impact of the Black Death pandemic (1348-1351), led to a labor shortage, subsequently increasing worker demands.
        - New social classes emerged, including the Yeomen, indicating a shift in pre-war social structures.
        - France recaptured territory during this stage, with England only retaining Calais.

Edward the Confessor (Rule: 1042 - 1066)

  • Described as a weak king preoccupied with ecclesiastical matters, Edward had no heir, which facilitated the conditions for the Norman conquest.

  • He relied on a council called the Witan, composed of wise men, and was integral in choosing Harold as successor.

Harold Godwinson (Harold II)

  • Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king, who faced invasions from both King Harald Hardrada of Norway and Duke William of Normandy in 1066.

  • Two significant battles:
      - Battle of Stamford Bridge - Harold defeated Hardrada.
      - Battle of Hastings - Harold was ultimately defeated by William; he was killed and crowned on Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey, built by Edward the Confessor.

The Wars of the Roses (1455-1485)

  • A civil conflict rooted in the discontent following the loss of the Hundred Years' War, along with political strife within the English monarchy.

  • Henry VI faced mental instability and a lack of conviction, leading to uprisings, including Jack Cade's revolt in 1450 advocating against corruption and calling for the reinstatement of Richard, Duke of York.

  • The conflict was between two factions:
      - Lancastrians (red rose) supporting King Henry VI.
      - Yorkists (white rose) supporting Richard, Duke of York.

  • Various notable figures emerged during this tumultuous period, including Edward IV and Richard III, culminating in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, a decisive victory for Henry Tudor, heralding the end of the Middle Ages and the establishment of the Tudor dynasty through Henry's marriage to Elizabeth of York.

Transition to a New Era

  • The late Middle Ages saw the decline of feudalism alongside significant societal changes due to the devastating impact of the Black Death and societal upheaval reflective of broader economic transformations.

  • The Magna Carta (1215) laid the groundwork for political freedom and limited the powers of the king, representing a crucial development in the evolution of governance in England.

  • Augustine: The first Archbishop of Canterbury, sent by Pope Gregory I to spread Christianity in England. He founded Canterbury Cathedral.

  • Alfred the Great: King of Wessex known for his defense against Viking invasions and for negotiating peace, allowing coexistence between the English and Vikings.

  • Edward the Confessor: A weak king (r. 1042-1066) known for ecclesiastical concerns and having no heir, which set the stage for the Norman Conquest.

  • Harold Godwinson (Harold II): The last Anglo-Saxon king who faced invasions from both King Harald Hardrada and Duke William of Normandy. He was defeated at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

  • William the Conqueror: Duke of Normandy who successfully invaded and conquered England in 1066, establishing Norman rule.

  • Henry VI: King who faced mental instability during the Wars of the Roses, leading to political instability and conflict.

  • Richard, Duke of York: A key figure in the Wars of the Roses, leading the Yorkist faction against the Lancastrians.