3. The Anglo-Saxon Conquest

In the middle of the 5th century Britain was invaded by the Germanic tribes of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes who migrated to the British Isles from the Continent . The Saxons came from the territory lying between the Rhine and the Elbe rivers which was later on called Saxony. The Angles and Jutes came from the Jutland Peninsula.

By the end of the 6th and the beginning of the 7th century they had formed several kingdoms on the territory of Britain. Kent was set up by the Jutes in the south-east of the country. In the southern and the south-eastern parts the Saxons formed a number of kingdoms – Sussex (the land of the South Saxons), Wessex (the land of the West Saxons) and Essex (the land of the East Saxons). Farther north were settlements of the Angles who conquered the greater part of the country. Their kingdoms constantly fought for supreme power in the country.

The Jutes, the Saxons and the Angles were closely akin in speech and customs, and they gradual1y merged into one people. The name "Jutes" soon died out and the conquerors were called Anglo-Saxons. The old English language is also called Anglo-Saxon.

As a result of the contest the Anglo-Saxons made up the majority of the population in Britain, and their customs, religion and language became predominant.

Gradually, the Celts who lived in most parts of Britain merged with the Anglo-Saxon conquerors, adopted their customs and learned to speak their language. Only the Celts who remained independent in the West (in Wales), Scotland and Ireland spoke their native language. Some of the Celts crossed the sea to the north-west of France and settled in Brittany named so after the Celtic tribes of Britons.

In the course of time all the people of Britain came to be referred to as English after the Angles and the new name of England was given to the whole country. The Anglo-Saxon language, or English, has been the principal language of the country since that time, although it has undergone great changes.

4.The Vikings, or the Danes, on the British Isles

The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms waged a constant struggle against the dangerous attacks of some barbarian tribes. The barbarians came from the North of Europe – from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – and were called the Northern. In different countries the Northmen were known by other names, as the Vikings, the Normans, the Danes. To Britain they came from Norway and Denmark, but more often from Denmark. Therefore the invaders came to be known in English history as the Danes (or the Vikings).

The Vikings were bold and skilful seamen and warriors. They were well-armed: with swords, spears, daggers, battle axes and bows.

In 793 the Danes carried out their first raids on Britain for plunder only. They came in 3 or 4 ships, each with as a hundred men on board, in spring and in summer. When their ships were loaded with plunder they returned home for winter.

In later years large Danish fleets brought large armies to conquer the new land and settle there. They conquered the North of England , but were defeated in the south-west by the Anglo-Saxons from the Kingdom of Wessex. In 886 the country was divided into 2 parts: the Danish (the North of England) and the English (the south-western part).

But at the beginning of the 11^th century England was conquered by the Danish king (1017-1035) who became the king of Denmark, Norway and England. He made England the centre of his power. After his death his kingdom split up, as a result an Anglo-Saxon king came to the throne (1042), and the line of Danish kings came to an end in Britain.

The Danes who settled in England gradually mixed with the Anglo-Saxons. They spoke the Anglo-Saxon language, but retained many of their customs that were very much like those of the Anglo-Saxons.

Many Scandinavian words came into the English language that are still used today. Such words as “happy”, “low”, “ill”, “weak”, “to take”, “to die”, “sister”, “husband”, “sky”, “law”, “window”, “leg” are the words of Scandinavian origin. The Danes gave their own names to many of the towns they built.