The Background: England before 1066

Before the year 1066, England was a land rich in history and culture. The early inhabitants of England were the Celts, who were later conquered by the Romans in 43 AD. The Roman occupation lasted for almost 400 years, leaving behind impressive structures such as Hadrian’s Wall and influencing the local culture.

After the Romans, came the invasion of various Germanic tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who collectively became known as the Anglo-Saxons. This period witnessed the formation of several powerful kingdoms, such as Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria. The Anglo-Saxons developed their own language, Old English, and their influence can still be seen in modern English vocabulary and grammar.

Key Points

• The Celts were the early inhabitants of England.
• The Romans invaded England in 43 AD, leaving a lasting impact on the culture.
• The Anglo-Saxon period followed the Roman occupation.
• The Anglo-Saxons formed powerful kingdoms and developed their own language.