Early Medieval England

The era between the end of Roman rule in Britain in about AD 410 and the Norman Conquest in 1066 is one of the most momentous in English history. It was a period that saw Britons, Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings struggle for dominance, and the eventual emergence of a unified kingdom of England.

Follow the links below to explore the complex history of this period and its legacy in our buildings, culture and landscape. You can also use the links to discover the early medieval sites that English Heritage cares for.

Introduction to early medieval England

Early medieval people

St Augustine

Learn about the monk from Rome who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and kick-started the Anglo-Saxons’ conversion to Christianity.
Queen Bertha of Kent

In 597, St Augustine arrived in England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. How important was Queen Bertha of Kent, who was already a Christian, in his mission’s success?
St Hadrian of Canterbury

St Hadrian of Canterbury played a pivotal role in the early history of the English Church. Read about his journey to England from Africa and about his enduring legacy.
St Hild

As abbess of Whitby in the 7th century – a ‘double monastery’ for both nuns and monks – Hild led one of the most important religious centres in the Anglo-Saxon world.
Caedmon, Whitby and Early English Poetry

How Cædmon’s poetic awakening, at the monastery that lies beneath Whitby Abbey, produced one of the first fragments of English verse.
St Milburga

Find out what we know about St Milburga, Anglo-Saxon princess, abbess and miracle worker, who ruled over a community of both monks and nuns at Wenlock in Shropshire.

Early medieval life and culture

Celtic culture in England

People have very different ideas of what ‘Celtic’ means. We explore the complex history behind Celtic culture and its legacy in the present day.
The Vikings in England

The Vikings had a profound impact on the history of England. Who were they, and how and why did they come to these shores in the first place?
Early Medieval Power and Politics

This period saw the evolution of a nation of warlords into a country organised into distinct kingdoms, eventually unified into the kingdom of England.
Early Medieval Religion

Although Christianity in Britain tends to be associated with the arrival of St Augustine in 597, it had in fact already taken root in Roman Britain.
Early Medieval Arts

The early medieval period produced many examples of highly distinctive art of world-class significance.
Early Medieval Architecture

Most early medieval buildings were constructed mainly using wood, a tradition which left its mark on later stone-built churches.

Stories of early medieval England

Easter: A Moveable Feast

Discover how a decision was made at Whitby Abbey in AD 664 that became a landmark in the history of Christianity in England.
The Viking Raid on Lindisfarne

A devastating Viking attack on the church of St Cuthbert in 793 sent a shockwave through Europe. How did a Christian community at Lindisfarne survive?
Two Happy Accidents Reveal Odda’s Chapel, Deerhurst

Read the story of how the chance discovery of a chapel in Gloucestershire has proved crucial to our understanding of Anglo-Saxon architecture.
Stamford Bridge: the other battle of 1066

Discover why the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 was in many ways as much a turning point as the Battle of Hastings, which took place 19 days later.