Anglo Saxons Research Paper

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The island known today as Great Britain has always been in some way conquered by others, and there was always a complete debate over who would be in control. The indigenous people were first pushed by the Romans, then secondly by the Anglo-Saxons, who were the first to have the great power to push Great Britain into what we know it as today. The Anglo-Saxons, beginning with brothers Henigst and Horsa, held the most power over the islands and were the most successful. It is true Romans held some sort of power over the province they called “Britannia” (History 320 Lecture, 8/26). Julius Caesar was the first to arrive, but failed to conquer the lands completely. He does, however, defeat the native tribes who fight against him. Turning the land …show more content…

For nearly 500 years, the Romans had governed the island, and when they left, the economy, lifestyle and even protection of Britain was gone quite quickly. By 430, Germanic peoples had began to settle on the island, and by 450, a concentrated immigration was present in all aspects. Vortigern, a Briton king, invited the Angles and Saxons to come to the island to help fight against the Picts. In return for their services, gave them the island of Thanet (Nennius, History of the Britons, 31). The Saxon leaders, Hengist and Horsa, quickly began receiving more and more Saxon people and demanded to be given larger pieces of land as promised.. Vortigern, powerless, gave in and issued them the kingdom of Kent, which previously had had its own king (Nennius, History of the Britons, 38). By dethroning the king of Kent, the two Saxon brothers flexed their power over the isle. This is one way Anglo-Saxons had the most power; they continually forced their way in and gained what they asked for. Compared to the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons were far more powerful. They were not interested in installing client-kings or using the island as a province; they were interested in using the island for their own good and as a new home. After being granted the land of Kent, Hengist and Horsa continually pushed their way further