Chapter II

FORMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND. 449–975.

§ 1. _The Heathen Period of English Conquest._ 449–597.
The languages, races, and local names of Britain
essentially the same now as at the time of the
Norman Conquest 8
The Norman element absorbed in the existing English
nation 9
The English Conquest; credibility of the narrative 9
Question of earlier Teutonic settlements 10–12
Analogy of the Danish invasions 12
Course of the English Conquest to the end of the
sixth century 13–15
Difference between the English Conquest and other
Teutonic conquests 15–18
Extermination of the Celtic inhabitants 18
Causes and results of the difference 19–21
Britain at the end of the sixth century; occupation
of the country by various Low-Dutch tribes 21–23
No regular Heptarchy, but seven Kingdoms prominent
among others 23–24
Growth of Wessex 24–25
Peculiar character of Mercia 26–27
Supremacy of the Bretwaldas 28

§ 2. _Conversion of the English to Christianity._ 597–681.
Peaceful progress of Christianity in England 29
Effects of the conversion; increased intercourse with
the Continent 30–31
England the first national Church in the West 31–32
Cessation of wars of extermination 33
Advance of Wessex; Celtic element in the Western
shires 33–35

§ 3. _Fluctuations of Dominion between Northumberland, Mercia, and
Wessex._ 577–823.
617–633 Rivalry of Mercia and Northumberland; reign of
Eadwine 35–36
627–655 Reign of Penda of Mercia 36–37
635–685 Greatness of Northumberland under Oswald and his
successors 37
716–819 Renewed greatness of Mercia; reign of Offa 37–38
Influence of Charles the Great in English affairs 38–39
802 Accession of Ecgberht of Wessex 39

§ 4. _Permanent supremacy of Wessex._ 823–924.
802–837 Gradual submission of the other English Kingdoms to
Ecgberht 40–41
815–837 His successes over the Welsh; independence of the
Northern Celts 41–42
789–1070 Danish Invasions 43
Three Periods of the Danish Invasions 43–45
837–901 Reigns of Æthelwulf and his sons 45–46
867–877 Danish Conquest of Northumberland, East-Anglia, and
part of Mercia 46
871–880 Election of Ælfred; Danish Invasions of Wessex 46–47
878–890 Peace of Wedmore and establishment of Guthrum in
East-Anglia 47–48
Character and extent of the Danish occupation; its
effect on local nomenclature 48
Character of Ælfred 49–53
Consolidation of England promoted by the Danish Wars 53–55
893–901 Later wars and death of Ælfred 55–56
901–925 Reign of Eadward the Elder; his Kingdom reaches the
Humber 56–58
924 Commendation of Northumberland, Scotland, and
Strathclyde 58–60

§ 5. _Imperial Supremacy of the West-Saxon Kings of the English._
924–975.
925–940 Reign of Æthelstan; Northumberland first incorporated 60
937 Battle of Brunanburh 61
940–955 Reigns of Eadmund and Eadred; final incorporation of
Northumberland 62
945 Grant of Cumberland to Malcolm of Scotland 63
955 Reign of Eadwig in Wessex and Eadgar in Mercia 63
Character of Dunstan 63–64
958–975 Sole reign of Eadgar; his supremacy over all Britain 64–66
975–1016 Reigns of Eadward and Æthelred 66–67
Recapitulation 67–68