Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about a theme in British history over a period of roughly 1000 years. They examine this theme, analysing the impact it had in Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial and Modern Britain, with a particular focus on change and continuity.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to recall that the Vikings invaded England from the 790s CE and were given the Danelaw after the 878 CE Battle of Edington.

Key Notes

• Prior to the arrival of the Vikings the British Isles was populated by Germanic tribes - the Anglo-Saxons.
• The Vikings invaded Britain as it was a wealthy country and Scandinavia was overpopulated.
• From the 790s the Vikings took East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria and attempted to take Wessex.
• At the 878 Battle of Edington, King Alfred defeated the Vikings which led to the creation of the Danelaw.
• After the creation of the Danelaw many Vikings settled and the number of raids decreased.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Anglo-Saxon: relating to the Germanic inhabitants of England from their arrival in the 5th century to the Norman Conquest
• migration: the movement of people into a new area or country
• Viking: a member of the Scandinavian seafaring people who raided Britain from the late 8th century
• raid: a surprise attack
• Danelaw: the area of England in the north and east controlled by the Vikings

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The Vikings were nothing but brutal savages.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Angevin Empire Study Guide
• Cecil Rhodes and the Boer War Study Guide
• Experience of post-WW2 migrants in Britain Study Guide
• Factors causing westward migration Study Guide
• Huguenot migration Study Guide
• Impact of conquest and settlement on medieval Britain Study Guide
• Impact of empire on migration in and out of Britain Study Guide
• Irish migration to Britain in the 19th century Study Guide
• Jewish migration to Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries Study Guide
• Movement within the British Empire Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: Migration from East Africa Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: The Falklands Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: The Windrush generation Study Guide
• The colonisation of North America Study Guide
• The Danish conquest Study Guide
• The end of the British Empire in the 20th century Study Guide
• The Hundred Years' War Study Guide
• The impact of British rule in India Study Guide
• The impact of imperial propaganda in the 19th century Study Guide
• The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain Study Guide
• The impact of the World Wars on migration to and from Britain Study Guide
• The Indian Rebellion Study Guide
• The Norman conquest (1066) Study Guide
• The origins of British rule in India Study Guide
• The scramble for Africa Study Guide
• The Transatlantic Slave Trade Study Guide
• The War of Independence Study Guide
• Ulster Plantations and Highland Clearances Study Guide
• What sources can tell us about the expansion of Empire Study Guide