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The Danish King Canute conquered England, molding Anglo-Saxons and Vikings into one people.
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King Edward, a descendant of Alfred the Great, took the throne of England.
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King Edward dies in the year 1066. The issue is he has no heir. As a result, there is a power struggle and one last invasion at an attempt to gain control.
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As King Edward's cousin, William the Conqueror was one of the Vikings who came from northern France. He invaded England and claimed the crown.
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The rival of William. He was the Anglo-Saxon who as well claimed the throne after King Edward's death.
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This battle changed the course of English history. Harold Godwinson was killed by an arrow that shot his eye. This made William the Conqueror, or the Normans, victorious.
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William's descendants owned land both in Normandy and England. King Henry II (1122-1204) added to these holdings by marrying Elanor of Aquitaine from France. Their marriage produced eight children, two of which became English kings. During his ruling, Henry strenghtened the royal courts of justice and introduced the use of the jury in English courts.
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The son and immediate successor of Harry II, He died within a short period of time.
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RIchard's younger brother who took the throne after both he and his father passed. He failed as a military leader and lost Normandy and all lands in northern France to the French under Phillip Augustus. John's problems as ruler stemmed from his own cruel personailty. The nobles revolted.
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Drawn up by English nobles, King John was forced to agree to sign the most celebrated document in English history. Tha Magna Carta guarantees certain political rights. Essetially, it safeguards the people's own feudal rights while limiting the king's power. Some of the safeties include no taxation without representation, jury trial, and protection of the law. These policies are still practiced in England and the US today.
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Edward I, the next English king, needed to raise taxes for a war against the French, the Welsh, and the Scots. In 1295, he summoned two burgesses (citizens of wealth and property) from every borough and two knights from every county to serve as a Parliament, or a legislative group.
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At a meeting held at Westminster in London, what was known as the "Model Parliament" was formed. It was known as this because its new makeup served as a model for later kings.
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Throughout this century, kings in England continued to call the knights and burgesses whenever a tax was needed. Together the knights and burgesses united under the name House of Commons. Rather, the nobles and bishops met separately as the House of Lords. As time went by, Parliament became strong and provided a check on royal power as it continues to do so today.
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The emergence is a result of invaders on English shores in the early 800s.
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During the 800s, Britain was battered by fierece raids of Danish Vikings. These comprised England's earliest invasions.
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By the early 800s, small Anglo-Saxon kingdoms covered the former Roman province of Britain. Gradually, the development of nations took place.
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The great Anglo-Saxon king managed to eventually turn back the Danish invaders. He and his successors united the kingdom under one rule, calling it England, or "land of the angels."
