This document provides an introduction to the early history of England, summarizing the various groups that inhabited the island over time. It notes that the earliest inhabitants were the Picts, followed by the Celtic Brythones. The Romans invaded in 55 BC and ruled for over 300 years. In the 5th century, Germanic tribes including the Jutes, Saxons, and Angles invaded and established kingdoms. Christianity was introduced by St. Augustine in the 6th century. The Normans led by William the Conqueror invaded in 1066 and introduced feudalism. Key events included the signing of the Magna Carta and the beginnings of the English parliament.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
EARLY ENGLAND
Dr.B.Kanagalakshmi,
Assistant Professor of English,
V.V.Vanniaperumal College for Women,
Virudhunagar.

2.  The first inhabitants of England were a set of aborigines called Picts,
who were of a low intellectual level.
 The old name for England was Britain, a name given by Brythones, the
Celtic race, which came to the country some centuries before the birth of
Christ.
 As early as 55 B.C., the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar
invaded England. The real occupation of Britain by the Romans started
only in 43 A.D., and lasted for more than three hundred years.

3.  By the middle of the fifth century, Britain was invaded by the
Germanic tribes, the most important of them being the Jutes, the
Saxons and lastly the Angles, the race which gave England its present
name. These invaders established seven kingdoms known in history as
the heptarchy. They were Kent, Essex, Sussex, Wessex, Northumbria,
East Anglia and Mercia.

4.  The Angles stamped Christianity out of England. Towards the end of the sixth
century the faith was once again preached in the country. The conversion of
England to Christianity started with the advent of St.Augustine.
 In the middle of the ninth century, England was once again the victim of
invasion by the Danes. Alfred the Great (849-899), the Anglo-Saxon King defeated
the Danes. Danes invaded the country and ruled it for sometime. Alfred’s grandson
Edward was brought back to England in 1042.Noted for his piety, he was called
Edward the Confessor. He built the famous Westminster Abbey.

5.  In 1066, after the death of Edward the Confessor, William of
Normandy, known as William the Conqueror landed in England. He
introduced some useful reforms. In the Battle of Hastings, he defeated
the English army led by Harold, and was crowned King in the
Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1066. He introduced the Feudal
system for the distribution of land. The King granted lands to barons, and
the barons divided their lands among their followers. William of
Normandy died in 1087.

6.  William II (1087-1100) also known as William Rufus was a cruel man
and he died under tragic circumstances. His younger v brother Henry I
ruled from 1100 to 1135. Next king was Stephen of Anjou (1135-1154).
 Henry II (1154-1189) was the brother of King Stephen. During his
reign there was a quarrel between the King and Thomas Becket, the
Archbishop of Canterbury. On 29th December, four knights got into the
Cathedral and killed Becket. Within three years the Archbishop was
declared a Saint.

7.  Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” is supposed to have been
narrated by pilgrims going to the shrine. George Darley, the Irish
dramatist and Alfred Tennyson have written dramas about Thomas
Becket. T.S.Eliot’s “Murder in the Cathedral” is based on the tragic
end of Becket.

8.  Richard I (1189-1199): Son of Henry II, known as Richard the “Lion Heart” had the
distinction of taking part in the third crusade.
 Crusades were military expeditions undertaken by European powers between the 11th
century and the 14th century to recover the holy places where Jesus Christ had lived His earthly
life.
 The first crusade was undertaken at the end in 1099, Jerusalem was taken.
 The second crusade was in 1144. In 1187, Sultan Saladin of Syria took away Jerusalem from
the Christians. To recover Jerusalem, the third crusade was undertaken by Richard I of England,
Philip II of France and Emperor Fredrick I of Prussia. Though the war was not a complete
success, a truce was made in 1191, by which the Christians were allowed to go on a pilgrimage to
the Holy Sepulchre.

9.  King John (1199-1216) was the brother of Richard I. His was
period of misrule. The chief barons decided to place the grievances
of the country before the King. They were joined by the Archbishop
Stephen Langton on behalf of the clergy and by the Mayor of
London on behalf of the towns. On 15th June 1215, signed the
document called Magna Carta or the Great Charter.

10.  The reign of Henry III (1216-1272), the eldest son of King John, was famous
for three things. Built many churches, most important of them being the
Westminster Abbey which now stands in the place of the one built by Edward the
Confessor.
 In the early part of the 13th century, St.Dominic of Spain and St. Francis of
Assissi founded their religious orders in Italy. Their main objective was preaching, in
order to prevent the spread of heresy. Henry III favoured the Dominicans but the
Franciscans were more popular among the people. Dominicans wore black cloaks
and were called Black Friars, Franciscans wore grey cloaks and were called Grey
Friars.

11.  The third great event was summoning the fist Parliament in 1265
by the King’s brother-in-law, Simon De Montfort. He called upon
every shire, city and borough in England to elect two representatives
who were to join the barons and the bishops in their deliberations.
The Parliament of 1265 is called the first “House of Commons” and
Montfort has been named the creator of the first “House of
Commons”.

12.  Edward I (1272-1307), son of Henry III, conquered Wales and in 1283
made his son Prince of Wales. Edward made three attempts to become
the King of Scotland but he failed and Robert Bruce was chosen as the
King.
 He summoned the Model Parliament in 1295, consisting of the House
of Lords and the House of Commons. The members of House of Lords,
i.e., the earls, barons, abbots and bishops were nominated by the King.
The members of House of Commons were elected by the people.

13.  Edward II (1307-1327), son of Edward I, made one more attempt
to become King of Scotland. The English and the Scots met at
Bannockburn, Scots got success.
 Edward III (1327-1377). The chief event of his reign is the
beginning of Hundred Years’ War between England and France.