The last 80 years of the Anglo-Saxon period saw turmoil with rival dynasties trying to take control. Canute’s reign was a high point in this period. His queen, Emma, was also a pivotal figure in our history. We will examine the decline of England’s security under Ethelred II and despite rich resources to call upon… Read more »
Athelstan called himself “Rex Totius Britanniae” and should be better known as the first king to truly be king of the whole of England and was also recognised as overlord in Wales and Scotland. We will examine how Athelstan’s father and aunt went a long way to expelling the Danes from England and how he… Read more »
After the Mercian supremacy Wessex became the dominant kingdom in the C9th. One reason was the kings managed to have capable sons to follow them thus avoiding the succession struggles of the Mercians. Another was the remoteness from the Viking attacks which concentrated on the North Sea coast targeting Northumbria and East Anglia and pushing… Read more »