Реферат: Summary British History Essay Research Paper ESWHChapter

?The Angles Settled in the East

?The JutesSettled in mainly Kent and along the south coast

They gave the England of modern times her name. It was the part they had settled in Britain.

The Anglo-Saxon left little of Celtic culture in England. There are only two cities: London and Leeds and some rivers: Thames.

Government and society

The Saxons created institutions which made the English state strong for the next 5oo years.

One of them was the King?s council, the Witan. It issued laws and orders. Nowadays the king still has a privy council, based on the Witan.

The Saxons divided the land into counties (Shire is the Saxon word for county). They also changed the agriculture in Britain. They introduced a new plough which was far more better than the Celtic one.

The farmers had to work together, because they had to share land and instruments with each other. This made a new form of settlements. To make this work they had several laws and regulations.

?Each district had a ?manor?, The villagers paid their taxes here and men met here to join the ?fyrd?, The Anglo-Saxon army.

?The Aldermen were the local officials, but they changed to warlords. The name was changed to Earl. A Danish name. They are both still used in the army.

Christianity

In the Celtic areas, Christianity began to spread, because it was forbidden in the Anglo-Saxon part.

Not Augustine, but the Celtic church brought Christianity to the normal people. Bishops went from village to village to tell about their religion. They were also accepted in Anglo-Saxon villages, in spite of the difference.

Saxon kings helped the church become big, but the church also increased the power of kings. They gave their king support and made it harder for Royal power to be questioned. It was different from now, an eldest son did not become king automatically.

The power of the church was also increased by the monasteries. They trained the men who could read and write.

The Vikings

The Vikings invaded in 865 AD. They accepted Christianity quickly and did not disturb the local population. King Alfred won a battle against the Vikings in 878, and eight years later he captured London. He was smart enough to make a treaty with the Vikings.

Alfred was recognised as a king.

Who should be king?

The Saxon king, Ethelred decided to pay the Vikings to stay away. He asked money from his people (taxes) It was the beginning of the tax system.

Edward ( the confessor), who was the son of Ethelred, was more interested in the church, than in being king.

Edward died in 1066 without an heir. The question who should be king is important in British History.

Harold was chosen to be king, He had no Royal blood. His right to the throne was challenged by the Duke of Normandy. Harold was faced by two dangers:

?The French in the North

?The Danish in the South

He defeated the Danish, but got killed in the battle of Hastings by the French . Duke William became king.

Chapter 3 The Celtic kingdoms.

Wales