AD 410-1066 Early medieval

South-west England was divided into a number of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Over a period of 200 years the kingdom of Wessex, founded in modern-day Hampshire, expanded until, by around AD 850, it covered the whole of the South West from modern-day Cornwall to Kent. Wessex now succeeded Mercia as the leading English kingdom. Wessex was wealthy, partly through the annexing of Cornwall and its valuable minerals, and peaceful under a series of strong rulers.

The first Viking attack on Britain happened in south-west England in 787. Unlike elsewhere in Britain, the raids made little lasting impact. However, by 871 the ‘Great Army’ of the Danish Vikings had pushed its way into Wessex. Despite an early victory, King Aethelred and his brother Alfred (871-99) fought a series of unsuccessful battles against the Danes. Finally, in 878 Alfred, now king of Wessex, defeated the Danes and saved the kingdom.

Alfred’s subsequent fortifications of towns and ports, and his encouragement of trade, ensured that the South West flourished. Alfred’s descendents won back much of the Danelaw, and in the 10th century, the area experienced a ‘renaissance’ of art and culture. By 1000, two of the six most prosperous cities in Britain were Exeter and Winchester. All went well until the 10th century when the Vikings returned.