Year 5 - History
The rise of Mercia
Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons: what changed after the Romans left?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils focus on what changed in Britain after the Romans left. They learn about the coming of the Anglo-Saxons and the rise of Mercia. Pupils end the unit by analysing what had changed after the Romans left Britain.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Mercia came to be the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom by 796 CE.
Key Notes
- By 750 CE the kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex, Northumberland and East Anglia were the most powerful.
- By the second half of the 8th century, Mercia was ruled by King Offa and his Frankish queen, Cynethryth.
- Sometimes the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kings would claim to be the 'bretwalda', the ruler of all of Britain.
- Having won many battles against other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Offa called himself 'bretwalda'.
- Offa was unable to defeat the Welsh; he built a barrier on his western borders to protect his kingdom against them.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Northumbria: Northumbria was a former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in north-east England in modern-day Northumberland
- Mercia: Mercia was a major Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the central part of England
- supremacy: having supremacy is having more power than anyone else
- barrier: a barrier is a fence or obstacle that prevents movement or access
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- King Offa was solely responsible for Mercian supremacy.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
By 750 CE the kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex, Northumberland and East Anglia were the most powerful. By the second half of the 8th century, Mercia was ruled by King Offa and his Frankish queen, Cynethryth.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Northumbria'
Northumbria was a former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in north-east England in modern-day Northumberland.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: King Offa was solely responsible for Mercian supremacy. Correction: Although it was mostly King Offa, the supremacy of Mercia was already beginning before his reign and continued for a short while afterwards.
More Lessons In This Unit
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