Mercia’s fortunes changed considerably under King Æthelbald in the 8th century, who began to introduce tolls in London. With no sea borders or coastline to facilitate trade, Mercia lagged behind compared to the initial prosperity of her neighbouring kingdoms. Its fortunes fluctuated as it was bordered on all sides by potentially hostile rivals. Mercia was a large kingdom that covered most of middle England. The Great Heathen Army captured York ( Jórvík ) in 866 and it was largely under Scandinavian control for the next 100 years. Both consistently raided each others lands and sometimes launched full scale invasions in an attempt to subdue one another.ĭuring the 9th century, Northumbria came under Viking rule. This was not a smooth process however, and marriage alliances between respective royal families helped keep the peace. The kingdom was traditionally at odds with Mercia. ![]() It was formed in the 7th century under Æthelfrith upon the unification of Bernicia and Deira, the northern and southern parts of the kingdom respectively. Modern York was at its southernmost border and Edinburgh at its north. ![]() Northumbria was a region that stretched across the neck of northern England and covered much of the east coast and parts of southern Scotland. Map showing the Anglo Saxon heptarchy, including the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex and East Anglia.
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