The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period

449 A.D. — 1066 A.D.449 A.D. — 1066 A.D.

55 B.C. – 409 A.D.55 B.C. – 409 A.D.

Roman OccupationRoman Occupation (55 B.C. – 409 (55 B.C. – 409 A.D.)A.D.)

The Roman Empire ruled the island of The Roman Empire ruled the island of Britain for 400 years and built roads Britain for 400 years and built roads and and Hadrian’s WallHadrian’s Wall, which kept out , which kept out invaders for centuries.invaders for centuries.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the After the fall of the Roman Empire, the island was left vulnerable to invasion.island was left vulnerable to invasion.

449 A.D.449 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon Invasion (449 A.D.) (449 A.D.)

The warrior tribes of The warrior tribes of Angles Angles and and SaxonsSaxons from Germany and the from Germany and the JutesJutes from Denmark took over. from Denmark took over.

They gave birth to the English They gave birth to the English language by meshing their language by meshing their language and warrior culture.language and warrior culture.

The Angles and Saxons highly The Angles and Saxons highly valued story-tellers, called valued story-tellers, called scops,scops, who preserved their values and who preserved their values and celebrated their heroes.celebrated their heroes.

The Angles and Saxons were The Angles and Saxons were united in the 9united in the 9thth century by King century by King Alfred the Great.Alfred the Great.

400—699 A.D. 400—699 A.D.

The Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of Christianity

(400 A.D.—699 A.D.)(400 A.D.—699 A.D.)

Christianity was introduced by the Christianity was introduced by the Roman Empire. In the fifth Roman Empire. In the fifth century, Christian monks began century, Christian monks began spreading the faith throughout the spreading the faith throughout the island.island.

Christianity co-existed with the Christianity co-existed with the pagan religions until the late 7pagan religions until the late 7thth century, when it became the century, when it became the dominant religion of Britain.dominant religion of Britain.

1066 A.D. 1066 A.D.

The Norman InvasionThe Norman Invasion (1066) (1066) William the Conqueror crossed the William the Conqueror crossed the

English Channel and defeated the English Channel and defeated the Anglo-Saxons.Anglo-Saxons.

This imposed French culture on This imposed French culture on the British that imposed a the British that imposed a hierarchal society on the British.hierarchal society on the British.

It also gave rise to the rivalry It also gave rise to the rivalry between England and France.between England and France.