The Saxons & Vikings
The descendants of the Danish conquerors became peaceful peasants & traders. They were
skilful shipbuilders. They were not very different from the Anglo-Saxons. They had adopted
their town.
Many Scandinavian words came into the English language (happy, ugly, ill, weak etc.)
The Saxons' Golden Age started when Athelstan (Alfred's grandson, Edward's son), won a
great victory in 937 against an army of Irish Vikings, Scots & Stathclyde Britons.
Athelstan was interested in good government. He ordered on coinage to be used throughout
the land.
The king was a collector of art & holy relics.
After his death his successors, Edmund & Eadred, had to fight new Viking raiders. England
was not at peace again until Edgar became king of Wessex in 959. With his death in 975 the
golden age ended.
At the end of the 10th cent. the Danish invasions were resumed.
annaabi.ee 
