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Anglo-Saxon Notes
Mrs. Kinney’s Senior English
Conquering “Heroes”

Britons and Celts were the first to settle Britain


Celts were farmers and hunters
Their disputes were settled by the social class of priests
called the Druids.
 The Druids more than likely used Stonehenge for
religious ceremonies.
Romans

In 55 BC, Roman armies,
led by Julius Caesar
conquer England.



This led to Romans
ruling for 300 years
By 407 AD, the last of
the Roman armies left
England to go defend
Rome.
This led the way for the
Anglo-Saxons to take
over.
Here come the Christians
• By the 4th century, Romans had
introduced Christianity to Britain.
• Late in the 6th century, the Church acted
as a mediator for warring tribes.
– The Church helped to bring peace to the
country.
Yet another invasion
• In the 9th century, the
Norse of Norway
(Vikings) invaded the
Northern British Isles.
• The Danes
(Denmark) invaded
England in the east
and south.
Alfred the Great
• In 871 AD, King
Alfred, the Great,
achieved a truce
among the Saxons,
the Danes, and the
Vikings.
Battle of Hastings, 1066
 Why?
 Fight over who the
true king is
 Who?
 Saxons and
Normans
 Winner?
 Normans, who
name William,
Duke of Normandy,
king
 1066 marks the
end of the AngloSaxon era