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Canute (the Danish king) conquered England in 1016. This significant event merged the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings into one people.
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In 1042, King Edward the Confessor, a descendent of Alfred the Great, took the throne in Britian.
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William the Conqueror was the duke of Normandy. Normandy is a region in France that has been conquered by the Vikings. As King, William claimed the English crown and invaded England on January 1, 1066 with a Norman army.
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King Edward the Confessor died in January of 1066 without an heir. A great conflict errupted in the Kingdom, leading to one last invasion.
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The Battle of Hastings was a brutal fight between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons. The Battle took place on October 14, 1066 and forever changed the course of English history. As a result of these clashes, the Normans won their victory.
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King Henry II ruled from 1154 to 1189. Throughout his reign, King Henry II strengthened the royal courts of justice by sending royal judges to every part of England at least once a year. These courts collectred taxes, settled lawsuits, and punished crimes. This was the beginning of the formation of Britian's government.
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King Henry II married Eleanor of Aquaitaine from France. The marriage brought Henry to make many changes in the government. It brought Henry a large territory in France called Aquitaine, which helped expand his political power. In additon, he added Aquitaine to the lands in Normandy. Because of his lands in France, he was a vassal to the French king.
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Henry II was suceeded first by his son Richard the Lionhearted who became the eminent hero of the Third Crusade.
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When Richard the Lion-hearted died, his younger brother John took the throne. His reign was not so successful. He failed as a military leader and gained the nickname "John Softsword". As King, he lost Normandy and all his lands in Northern France to the French.
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The Magna Carta ("The Great Charter") is the most celebrated document in English history. It was formed by English nobles who guarenteed certain basic political rights. They also confirmed that the basic legal rights in England and the United States will be complelted in the text.
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In November of 1295, King Edward I called two burgesses (citizens of wealth and property) from every borough and two knights frome very county to serve as a parliament. Besides knights and burgesses, bishops and lords met in Westminister in London for this assembly of high-ranking poltiicans. This group became a parliament, the legislative group of Britian. It was called the Model Parliament because its new makeup served as a model for later kings.
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In Parliament between 1300 and 1400, the knights and burgesses of England formed an assembly called the House of Commons as a meeting location and poltical building. Therfore the nobles and bishopes met seperately at the House of Lords.
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In the 800s, Britian was attacked by the fierce raids of Danish Vikings. These invaders were so violent that the people were afraid and often were found reciting a special prayer in the churches.
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With his strong forces, the Anglo-Saxon king (Alfred the Great) managed to turn back the Viking invaders from 871 to 899. With this success, he and his successors united their kingdom under one rule. They were extremely strong, brave, and powerful toward defending their kingdom.
