History: Advanced History : Before 1066

This course will provide a detailed look at the life & times of Anglo-Saxon England and the British Isles generally as the later reign of King Cnut, and his immediate heirs. As part of such an analysis, we will inevitably begin with a thorough and detailed insight into the character and extent of King Cnut’s rule across mainland England and how this authority then developed over the years of the early 11th century AD. We will go on to consider the main difficulties posed by canoe to death, and the major factions who struggled to maintain power in the light of the new circumstances. As a result, we will go on to examine the reigns of Harthacnut Anne Harold, and their apparent instability, leading to their ultimate failure to retain power within England. Thereafter, we will go on to look in the circumstances by which Edward was able to reestablish the House of Wessex and the challenges posed by that recovery, including the challenges to his authority and the discriminatory nature of his government which very likely led to some of the early difficulties he faced, including the importance of Earl Godwin and his status at the court.