7. f2012 rise of wessex
DESCRIPTION
The rise of the house of Wessex following Northumbria and Mercia. The vikings threaten to take all of what will ebcome England.TRANSCRIPT
The Vikings Plunder then Settle
Wessex Before Alfred
Summary: Video – Viking Invasions
• Changing fortunes of English kingdoms– Northumbria predominates in 7th century– Mercia expands power in 8th century,
particularly under Offa – Mercia declines after death of Offa in 799;
Wessex which was previously disorganized consolidated by Ecgbehrt (Egbert), his son, Aethelwulf and grandson, Alfred
Summary: Video – Viking Invasions
790s: Scattershot raids on monasteries and churches
840s: Larger invading fleets
850s: Fleets no longer return to homelands but overwinter and resume raids the following spring
865: Great Army raids London and YorkCaptures territory in all kingdoms but Wessex
Danelaw – territory of Danes
Heptarchy
• Expansion by moving against British• Consolidation by subjugation of less
powerful members• Some notes on religion and children
Battle for Chester 613
• Æthelfrith, unites Northumbria• Britons (kingdom of Powys) supported by
monks of Bangor• Victory for Northumbria
– “1,200 monks won the crown of martyrdom”
Mercia – Northern and western borders
Casualties, Mass grave at Heronbridge
• Warrior 1– Age 36-45– Spinal damage from heavy
lifting– Four healed depression
fractures– Hand injury– Three sword blows to the
head
• Warrior 2– 18-25– Five head wounds
Laws of Ine – Keeping the Sabbath
• If a slave works on Sunday by his lord's command, he shall become free, and the lord shall pay a fine of 30 shillings.
• If, however, the slave works without the cognisance of his master, he shall undergo the lash or pay the fine in lieu thereof.
• If, however, a freeman works on that day, except by his lord's command, he shall be reduced to slavery, or [pay a fine of] 60 shillings. A priest shall pay a double fine.
Laws of Ine (~690) - Children
• Child of 10 may be accessory to theft (later raised to age 12)
• Money given for maintenance of foundlings• No compensation given a man for an
illegitimate child he has not acknowledged
Heptarchy
• Three major powers: Northumbria, Mercia and later Wessex
• New mark of prestige – coinage• New instrument for trade - coinage
Gold tremissis (shilling) of Eadbald of Kent, ~630
Thrymsa, 650-670
Sceatta (or pening)
Offa and the World Beyond
Cynethryth, Queen of Mercia
Mercia vs. Wessex
Wessex DynastyEcgberht
(802-839)
Æthelwulf
(839-858)
Æthelbald(858-860)
Æthelberht(858-865)
Æthelred(865-871)
Alfred(871-899)
Wessex Rises
• Before Ecgberht, weak and disputed kingship
• Ecgberht from Kent• 805-7 Kent and Sussex under Wessex
control• 825 Battle of Ellendun (Wroughton)• 839 Anoints his son, Æthelwulf
Beginning of Rise of Wessex
Ecgbehrt
Æthelwulf
• 838 Overlord of Kent• 853 In charge of
Mercia• Base at Winchester• 856 marries Judith,
daughter of Charles the Bold
Æthelwulf (839-856)
• 840 Battle with Vikings at Carhampton• 848 Alfred born• 850 Æthelstan drives off Vikings at
Sandwich, Kent• 854 Daughter marries Burgred, King of
Mercia
Æthelwulf Royal Rings Æthelswith
Aethelwulf’s sons
• 856 Aethelwulf goes to Rome– Æthelbald West Saxons– Æthelberht Kent
• 858 Aethelwulf dies• ~858 Æthelbald m. Judith• 871 Æthelred I killed in battle
w. Vikings
Saxon Winchester