Submitted by Nick Gilbert on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 12:37
Fellow residents of our Early-Medieval Britannia! Many of you will have become aware of strange men coming from oversees to our green and pleasant island home.
You may be wondering who these people are, what they have come for and how long they plan to stay. To we Britons, their barbarian and guttural languages all sound very much the same... but let me inform you that in fact these visitors actually come from different places and each have different cultures- though they share many traits, they will be offended if you should accidentally confuse them for one another. So how do you tell your Jute from your Angle, for example?
This ye olde Heritage-key guide should clarify all for you.
Submitted by E P Wohlfart on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 11:58
The streets of London are the stage of a daily war. It is the worst it has ever been, newspapers frequently report. The actors are young men with guns and knives. No two commentators seem in agreement as to the object; it might be about drugs, it may be about territory, or it may be about repute. One thing is for certain: it is part of the city now. Gang warfare has created an informal geography of the city. Hackney streets are known colloquially as Murder Mile.
What the newspapers fail to mention is that London has never been a safe place to live. The city has since its earliest history seen violent clashes between opposing groups.
Last week’s inaugural Ancient World in London Blogger’s Challenge called for opinions to be cast on the subject of which invaders had the most historical impact on Britain’s venerable capital, sparking shouts for all from rats to Roman traders, Scandinavian raiders and even a band of (admittedly made-up) Roman warrior-pigeons. I’ll today kick off round two – which again gives entrants the chance to win prizes both real and virtual – by posing a brand new question:
At its peak during the 2nd century AD, Roman London (Londinium) had a population of up to 60,000 people and represented a thriving urban centre. But as the Roman Empire declined over the next 300 years, so too did the city. In 410, Britain was cut loose from the Empire altogether, and with it London. Troops and officials departed, and the city was left to fend for itself.
Exactly what happened during the immediately ensuing phase in London’s history – which is referred to as the Sub-Roman period, and lasted from approximately 450 until 600 AD – is mysterious. A small enclave of wealthy families is believed to have continued to inhabit villas to the southeast of the Roman city into the 5th century. But by the end of the 5th century, they – along with almost everyone else – had left. London was abandoned.
Highlighted Quote:
“They were able to get close enough to London Bridge to attach lines to its piers, then row so powerfully away from the fragile structure that it came crashing down into the river. The nursery rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down is said to originate from this incident.”
Did the ancestors of todays Inuit race across the arctic 750 years ago in search of meteorites? Canwest News Services has just published an intriguing story that suggests just that. According to the news service, Dr. Robert McGhee, curator emeritus at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, recently published this theory in a new book, The Northern World: AD 900 to 1400.
Basically the idea works like this. 10,000 years ago a meteorite crashed into west Greenland, it’s known today as the Cape York meteorite. Mining in the arctic was quite difficult (even today) so an iron meteorite was very handy for anyone wanting to make metal tools.
Submitted by E P Wohlfart on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 16:31
History enthusiasts, this is your moment to shine! Heritage Key is offering both corporal and virtual prizes for the best entries in this Ancient World in London blog contest.
London has a long and remarkable history of invaders – foreign and native, ficticious and real. Medieval historians thought that its first invader was King Brutus, a Roman descendent of the Biblical Noah who came and settled the island with his following of emancipated Trojan slaves. The city’s more credible, but none the less colourful, invaders range from Roman soldiers to Essex farmers.
Of course, not all invaders are created equal; hence this contest. We want to know:
Which invaders have had the biggest impact on London?
King Cnut was a Viking king of England, Denmark, Norway and parts of Sweden. Cnut was one of the greatest figures of Medieval Europe being successful in politics, military and as a statesman. Firstly as prince of Denmark, the Viking king won the throne of England in 1016, bringing the crowns of England and Denmark together in 1018. Afterwards he claimed the crown of Norway in Trondhiem in 1028, and Sweden's capital at Sigtuna. Coins minted with his name were produced in each of these areas which acts as evidence to solidify his vast rule.
Alfred the Great, the youngest son of King Ethelwulf, became King of Wessex from 871 to 899 AD. He was the only king to be given the epithet 'The Great' as he was famous for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings. Wessex was under constant attack from the Vikings, who were lead by Dane Guthorm. Alfred was able to defeat the Danes at the famous Battle of Eddington. He was also the first King of the West Saxons to call himself, King of the Anglo-Saxons.
Did the ancestors of todays Inuit race across the arctic 750 years ago in search of meteorites? Canwest News Services has just published an 
History enthusiasts, this is your moment to shine! Heritage Key is offering both corporal and virtual prizes for the best entries in this Ancient World in London blog contest. 
