The document summarizes the early invasions and settlements of Britain. It discusses the Iberians as the first settlers, followed by the Celts who arrived around 700 BC. The Celts were farmers, metalworkers and builders who worshipped natural elements. Several early English kings are also mentioned, including Alfred the Great who encouraged education. The Vikings then invaded and defeated Saxon England, with Alfred standing against them. Finally, the document outlines William the Conqueror's claim to the English throne and his subsequent Norman invasion, culminating in the pivotal Battle of Hastings in 1066.

1. !
THE FIRST INVASIONS

2. !
" The Iberians were the first to settle in Britain. We
found out about them from archaeological remains
like the megalith of Stonehenge in the South West of
England.
THE IBERIANS

3. !" The Celts arrived in Britain
around 700 B.C.
" They were tall and
muscular, had fair skin, blue
eyes and blond hair
" They were farmers,
fishermen, hunters and
metal workers and they
constructed earthworks on
top of hills and used them
like refuges and tribal
centres
THE CELTS

4. !
" They worshipped the natural
elements like sun, moon, trees
and the water, which was
considered a holy element
because it generates life.
" They believed in immortality
and transmigration of soul.
" Their priests were the Druids.
They were important not only
in religion, but also in justice,
education and medicine.
" They held ceremonies in the
heart of the forest and not in
temples.
CELTS’ RELIGION

5. !
THE FIRST ENGLISH
KINGS

6. !• The Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex
was ruled by Alfred the Great from AD
871 to 899. He encouraged scholars and
was the first English king to learn to read
and write .
• After Alfred there was King Offa, who
ruled from AD 757 to 796. He is
remembered for minting the first silver
penny.
• The first king to rule all England was
King Athelstan, who reigned from AD
924 to 939.

7. !
THE VIKINGS

8. !
" The Vikings are Scandinavian invaders. They
defeated Saxon England. King Alfred of Wessex was
the only Saxon to stand against the Vikings. He
encouraged education and scholarship, both as a
way of placating God for the punishment of the
Viking attacks and also as a way of promoting
strength and unity.

9. !
THE NORMAN
INVASION

10. !
" Edward the Confessor ruled
Britain until 1042, when he
died without heirs. His
brother-in-law, Harold
Godwineson, asserted his
right to the throne and had
himself crowned on the day of
Edward’s burial.
" William, duke of Normandy,
asserted that he had earlier
been promised the throne by
Edward, so he prepared to
invade with his supporters.

11. !
" On 14th October, in Hastings the two armies met and
that is one of the most important and famous
moments in British history.
THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS

12. !
THE END
A power point
by
Sara Elisabetta Visconti