Anglo-Saxon England emerged after Roman withdrawal in 410 CE. Germanic tribes settled, forming kingdoms and a stratified society with kings, thanes, and ceorls. The wergild system maintained order, while women had limited rights but significant household roles.

Christianity's arrival in 597 CE transformed Anglo-Saxon culture. It introduced the Latin alphabet, reshaped literature and art, and altered burial practices. Viking invasions later challenged Anglo-Saxon rule, leading to the Danelaw and influencing language and place names.

Historical Background of Anglo-Saxon England

Roman withdrawal to Germanic invasions

• Roman withdrawal from Britain around 410 CE prompted by barbarian invasions in other parts of empire and economic strain maintaining distant provinces
• Germanic invasions began shortly after Roman exit with Angles, Saxons, and Jutes gradually settling and establishing Anglo-Saxon kingdoms
• Heptarchy formed seven main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (Kent, Essex, Sussex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria) displacing and assimilating native Britons

Social structure in Anglo-Saxon society

• Social hierarchy stratified society into distinct classes
• Kings (cynings) ruled individual kingdoms maintaining power through military strength and gift-giving to loyal followers
• Thanes (þegns) formed warrior aristocracy serving as advisors and military leaders for kings
• Ceorls comprised free peasants forming majority of population engaged in agriculture
• Wergild system settled disputes by assigning monetary value to individuals based on social status
• Women held limited legal rights compared to men but wielded importance in household management and some political influence

Christianity's influence on Anglo-Saxon culture

• Conversion to Christianity began 597 CE with St. Augustine's mission gradually replacing paganism
• Latin alphabet and written culture introduced spurring literary development
• Christian themes permeated Anglo-Saxon poetry (Dream of the Rood, Caedmon's Hymn)
• Monastic scribes preserved Anglo-Saxon literature for future generations
• Monasteries and churches established reshaping landscape and social structure
• Christian art and architecture developed incorporating Anglo-Saxon elements
• Burial practices shifted from cremation to inhumation reflecting new religious beliefs

Viking invasions in Anglo-Saxon England

• Viking invasions began late 8th century intensifying in 9th and 10th centuries
• Anglo-Saxon kingdoms destroyed leading to establishment of Danelaw in eastern England
• Alfred the Great unified Anglo-Saxon resistance against Viking threat
• Norse vocabulary introduced into Old English influencing language development
• Place names in northern and eastern England reflect Norse influence (Whitby, Grimsby)
• English identity strengthened in response to Viking threat
• Fortified towns (burhs) developed improving defensive capabilities
• Military organization and governance reformed to counter Viking invasions