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1.The Celtic areas of Britain regarded the Saxons as enemies and foreigners on their borders: their name became Sassenachs to the Scottish and Saesneg to the Welsh.However, the monk Gildas, writing in the mid-6th century, talks about a British Christian leader called Ambrosius who rallied (grouped or assembled) the Romano-British against the invaders and won twelve battles.The Anglo-Saxon period was a time of war, of the breaking up of Roman Britannia into several separate kingdoms, of religious conversion, and, after the 790s, of continual battles against new invaders: the Vikings.When the Roman legions left Britain, the Germanic-speaking Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians began to arrive - at first in small invading parties, but soon in increasing numbers.Introduction The Anglo-Saxon period in Britain spans approximately six centuries from 410-1066AD.By 850 AD the seven kingdoms had been consolidated into three large Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex.Anglo-Saxon Invasion Historical Facts Anglo-Saxon mercenaries had for many years fought in the Roman army in Britain, so they were not total strangers to the island.Initially, they met little firm resistance from the relatively defenseless inhabitants of Britannia.The various Anglo-Saxon groups settled in different areas of the country.This large kingdom stretched over the Midlands.2.2.3.5.6.7.

1. Introduction
   The Anglo-Saxon period in Britain spans approximately six centuries from 410-1066AD. The
   period used to be known as the Dark Ages, mainly because written sources for the early years of the
   Saxon invasion are scarce. However, most historians now prefer the terms 'early middle ages' or
   'early medieval period'. The Anglo-Saxon period was a time of war, of the breaking up of Roman
   Britannia into several separate kingdoms, of religious conversion, and, after the 790s, of continual
   battles against new invaders: the Vikings.


2. Anglo-Saxon Invasion Historical Facts
   Anglo-Saxon mercenaries had for many years fought in the Roman army in Britain, so they were
   not total strangers to the island. Their invasions were slow and began even before the Roman
   legions departed. When the Roman legions left Britain, the Germanic-speaking Angles, Saxons,
   Jutes, and Frisians began to arrive – at first in small invading parties, but soon in increasing
   numbers. Initially, they met little firm resistance from the relatively defenseless inhabitants of
   Britannia. Around 500 AD, however, the invaders were resisted fiercely by the Romano-British,
   who might have been led by King Arthur, if he existed – and there is no hard evidence that he did.
   However, the monk Gildas, writing in the mid-6th century, talks about a British Christian leader
   called Ambrosius who rallied (grouped or assembled) the Romano-British against the invaders and
   won twelve battles. Later accounts call this leader Arthur.
   The Celtic areas of Britain regarded the Saxons as enemies and foreigners on their borders: their
   name became Sassenachs to the Scottish and Saesneg to the Welsh. The various Anglo-Saxon
   groups settled in different areas of the country. They formed several kingdoms, often changing, and
   constantly at war with one another. These kingdoms sometimes acknowledged one of their rulers as
   a ‘High King'. By 650-850 AD, there were seven separate kingdoms called the Heptarchy
   1 which
   are:


3. Kent, settled by the Jutes.


4. Mercia, whose best-known ruler. This large kingdom stretched over the Midlands.


5. Northumbria, where the monk Bede (c. 670-735)


6. East Anglia, made up of Angles.


7. Essex (East Saxons). Here the famous Battle of Maldon was fought against the Vikings in 991.


8. Sussex: the South Saxons settled here.


9. Wessex (West Saxons), later the kingdom of King Alfred, the only English king ever to have been
   called ‘the Great', and his equally impressive grandson, Athelstan, the first who could truly call
   himself ‘King of the English'.
   By 850 AD the seven kingdoms had been consolidated into three large Anglo-Saxon kingdoms:
   Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex. The Anglo-Saxons had become a Christian people.