England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest

Step back to Anglo-Saxon England to see what makes this period of history so captivating. After a brief survey of the traditional scholarship across the ages, Professor Paxton outlines how we will be forming our picture of the Anglo-Saxons, including written evidence, literary sources, archaeological artifacts, “paleopathology,” and more.

When the Romans arrived in the British Isles, the empire was already on the decline, and it was in the crucible of this decline that England would be forged. Explore the impact of the Romans on Britain, from Hadrian’s Wall to the city of London. Consider the role of Christianity, the state of language, and the collapsing economy during this time.

Generations of school children have learned about three primary invasions of Germanic people: the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. Reflect on the accuracy of this narrative, and then see how varying sources as well as DNA and archaeological evidence paints a much more complex picture of Germanic migrations.

A survey of medieval Britain might make it seem as though the myriad Germanic migrations were all peaceful, but was there any resistance among the locals? Here, the answer can be viewed through the legendary King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Was he a real person? Who was he based on? And what impact did he have on the history of Britain?

Pause in this fascinating period between the decline of Roman Britain and the rise of a new Anglo-Saxon order. What was everyday life like for average citizens? Meet some of the ethnic groups that made up 6th century Britain, explore their settlements, and examine some of the era’s hardships that can be seen today in the bones of the people who lived through it.

Thus far we have seen that thanks to migration and the fusion of Germanic and native British cultures, a coherent population—the Anglo-Saxons—was emerging. The political vacuum left by Rome was filled by a series of smaller kingdoms across England. In this episode, tour several of these kingdoms and how they came into being.

At the same time that Anglo-Saxon kingdoms took over the political landscape, Christianity was spreading through the population. As you will see, this story of conversion is the story of Christianity coming from Ireland and from continental Europe. Meet Pope Gregory the Great and learn from the Venerable Bede about the spread of Christianity in England.

Archaeology is one of the most important ways to study the past, and here you will delve into one of the most iconic sites in the world. On a small hill in Suffolk, the graves at Sutton Hoo can tell us about the people and economy of the early Anglo-Saxons. Professor Paxton offers a fount of information about Sutton Hoo’s discovery and excavation.

In a previous lecture, we saw how the Romans successfully converted Southeast England to Christianity, but the Northumbrians relapsed. Here, Professor Paxton picks up the story and shows how Irish missionaries played a decisive role in converting the whole of England, solidifying Christianity across the island. Learn about King Edwin, Penda, and others.

Delve into the Northumbria region in the 7th century. Here, you will start by considering the ebb and flow of Anglo-Saxon hegemony in the north and northwest. Find out about some of Northumbria’s great leaders, the economy around livestock and herding, and the importance of the city of York.

Continue your study of northern England with an exploration of the so-called Northumbrian Renaissance. Review some of the major literary manuscripts from the period, including early translations of the Gospels into Old English. Then shift your attention to the Venerable Bede, one of English history’s most important scholars.

In this lecture, you will transition from Northumbria to the kingdom of Mercia in the midlands. The Mercian hegemony is important to English history because during an era of political expansion and consolidation, Mercia connected England to the European continent. Dig into the reign of two major kings and their role in Mercia’s success.

You have seen how a series of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms filled the vacuum left by the Romans. In this lecture, you will dive into the role of law and warfare in forging these kingdoms. Find out how war was waged in this period and explore a few military tactics and weapons. Then turn to the rise of legal codes and charters.

The Vikings—seafaring raiders, settlers, and traders from Scandinavia—burst onto the British scene in the 8th century with terrifying power, and they posed an existential threat to the newly minted Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Witness this invasion and examine how the Vikings helped shape and define the country we know as England.

Professor Paxton discusses arguably the most important ruler in the history of Anglo-Saxon England. In addition to saving the island from being overrun by Vikings, Alfred the Great kicked off an intellectual and religious renaissance. Here, you will focus on Alfred as a military leader and defender of England.

Continue your study of Alfred the Great, who in addition to being a great military leader also tended to the spiritual and intellectual well-being of his people. Review Alfred’s efforts at educating the populace, and then watch as he tries to extend the power of Wessex and position himself as the English Charlemagne.

Literature is one of the true glories of Anglo-Saxon culture, and perhaps nowhere is this more apparent today than the great poem Beowulf. After giving an overview of Old English poetry, Professor Paxton revels in the adventures of the warrior Beowulf and his story of mayhem and plunder.

After the death of Alfred the Great, the major question was whether his successors would be able to build on his legacy. Go back to 10th century England to meet the rulers of this new kingdom, which was beginning to coalesce into a united “England.” Explore the uniformity of law and administration that was emerging.

As you have seen, political change often paralleled religious upheaval. In the middle of the 10th century, while the kings of Wessex were forging a united England, a trio of monks took over leadership of the church and instituted a number of reforms. Meet the bishops and archbishops who led these monastic changes.

England in the 10th century enjoyed both peace and prosperity, which created a golden age of art. From lavishly illustrated manuscripts and precious metal engravings to paintings and lavish textiles, this period saw visual triumphs in every medium. See some of the masterpieces that have survived and learn about the story behind them.

As is the case in all of history, peace and prosperity only last so long. In the 10th century, trouble began in England around who would succeed Edgar the Peaceable. In the wake of this succession crisis, the Vikings returned and struck with great force. Delve into this bloody invasion and gain a sense of an England besieged.

After years of strife, 1016 was a momentous year in English history. Witness the events that led to the Danish invasion, and see how these new conquerors successfully ruled for several decades. Find out how King Cnut reshaped the English aristocracy, and then explore the fallout of the succession crisis after his death.

By the 1060s, England had faced nearly a century of political tumult. A series of succession crises eventually led to William, Duke of Normandy, invading England at Hastings. King Harold rushed to defend the city, but the Battle of Hastings changed the course of English history. Go inside this world-shaping moment.

Conclude with the last gasps of English resistance against Normans in the 11th century. Meet the rebels and witness the battles that led to a new synthesis of Norman and English cultures, resulting in what would become one of the most stable and enduring kingdoms in Europe.