Tag Archives: Medieval

The Norse raid on Lindisfarne in 793: the beginning of the ‘Viking’ age in Britain?
Norse raiders attacked the holy island of Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast in an event that is generally accepted as the start of the ‘Viking’ period of British history.

How did Æthelstan become the first Anglo-Saxon ‘king of all Britain’?
July 12th 927 is the closest we have to a foundation date for England, when all the kings of Britain met at Eamont Bridge, near Penrith in Cumbria, to swear an oath of peace under the overlordship of Æthelstan.

Why did Æthelred the Unready order the St Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002?
On the 13th November 1002, the St Brice’s Day Massacre took place when king Æthelred the Unready “ordered slain all the Danish men who were in England”.

Why did the death of Edward the Confessor spark a succession crisis?
A succession crisis was sparked following the death of Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

Coronation of Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England
On the 6th January 1066, Harold Godwinson was crowned king of England.

Harald Hardrada and the Battle of Fulford: the start of the end of Anglo-Saxon England?
On the 20th September 1066, Harald Hardrada – the Viking king – defeated his northern English enemies at the Battle of Fulford.

The Norman Conquest – video extract from History File
From the BBC’s History File series on Medieval Realms.

A brief audio overview of the Battle of Hastings
On the 14th October 1066, the Battle of Hastings was fought between Duke William II of Normandy and the Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinson.