I hope you could also make videos of the ancient Korean States (Koguryo & Ballhae) that ruled North Korea, Manchuria, and southern regions of Russian Far East
@Kingsandgenerals you made pacific war members only? After we been watching this for months/years? What the fuck is wrong with your channel?! What about people who can't afford it?
After your what if series about the mongols on your wizard and warriors channel have you thought about doing a what if series on if the anglo saxons/norwegians won in 1066? just wondering.
The idea of an Anglo-Saxon colony in Crimea is fascinating. I was always amazed that the Greeks had made it out that far - such a mysterious place in all the history books.
@@mordapl1641 Yes, but the Crimean colony was hundreds of years before Alexander. This was Phoenician-style maritime colonization. Alexander’s conquests were contiguous over land. Impressively quick, but military and political.
It’s because some of the men were killed in the dual battles of 1066 or left to find employment elsewhere, the women would intermarry with the incoming lords (similar to what happened in Normandy funnily enough). But it is true there was far more intermarriage with the lower nobility than at the top.
@quantjonna293 is that in Wales? Abergaveny? I went with a friend to visit his family in Byrnmawr. We went to an outdoor shopping mall in a town that sounded like that. I say it that way because I don't remember seeing the town name spelled out from back then, so this would be my first time reading it.
I've long been interested in history, but to hear that the Anglo-Saxons joined the Varangian Guard in Constantinople was incredible to me! Thank you for this video! EDIT: Whoa this really blew up! I didn't expect to get that much attention. Thanks guys.
In some bar in Constantinople: Viking varangian: and so, we were fighting over a bridge, but I lost my favourite spear when I threw it and it buried into the shield of this Anglo Eorl, who had a green Dragon in a red and black swirling background. Anglo Varangian: wait, a green Dragon in a red and black swirl? That's MY shield! That was a good throw, I had to replace the paint and wood from the splintering. Viking varangian:... So, you got the spearhead or....?
Fun Fact: While Edgar Æthling was the last male heir of the House of Wessex, he had a niece, Edith, later renamed Matilda, who married William the Conqueror's youngest son, Henry I, whose grandson was Henry II, the first of the Plantagenet kings. Thus, the blood of Wessex was joined with that of Normandy and Anjou, and is part of the Royal House to this day. (This has been edited, I originally thought Edith/Matilda was the Æthling's daughter, not his niece. Mea culpa)
William the Conqueror was also married to Matilda of Flanders who was the daughter of Ælthfrith King Alfred's youngest daughter. So all William's descendants were also King Alfred's.
Also King Alfred the Great was descended from Cerdic the first King of Wessex and Cerdic was a Briton. So all his Alfred's descendants were also from the original Brythonic Britons.
@@mbd501 That's interesting, because the people of Brittany came from Briton, it was originally called Little Briton. I looked up Judith, and her brother Geoffrey I Duke of Brittany also married Hawisse of Normandy the daughter of Richard I Duke of Normany. Therefore, its possible to say that both kings and their dynasties can be traced back to the ancient Britons.
I have heard that the North of England never truly recovered from the harrying, I'm not sure that they would agree that their culture was 'enriched' by the Normans.
We wouldn't agree, mate. You're right. Takes a dope to think the Normans enriched anybody given they slaughtered men, women and children in that region. That is what the harrying of the north was. Basically, a genocide. It wasn't 100% successful, but several hundred villages were raised to the ground & burned all over the North of England. York and other affected regions hate William to this day because we were turned into a city of penury that is still in effect. We are controlled by Switzerland, which is why the English and Swiss flags are the same colour. Conquered and kept as a vassal state city. Edited to fix typo's.
The kingdom of Elmet is an unknown kingdom based in the North of the UK. I say based because it's people and it's Kingston are still in full life today although no one would know it. The kingdom of Elmet is primarily based within the people's of West Yorkshire and it has been proven by genetic testing that native West Yorkshire people have the most unique DNA among all of them British isles.
You didn't mention it -- as it is not the subject of this video -- but everytime I watch a video such as this, I am compelled to bring it up: Everyone seems to forget the Witenagemot, or else, they ignore it completely. The English King -- in this case Edward the Confessor -- COULD NOT "name" his successor. The King could only NOMINATE a successor. The Witenagemot ELECTED the next King, though they would take into consideration the prior King's nomination, BUT THAT'S ALL. Harold KNEW this, and therefore could not -- AND WOULD NOT -- "promise" the throne to William. He could ONLY put William up as a "candidate" for the throne -- and Edward could only nominate him for the position. Like all "Conquerors," William had his "minions" do a little "rewriting" of events to justify his conquest. William -- the Norman -- had no regard for "English law."
The true rulers of BRITAIN are descended from Ambrosius and Arthwys ap Mar, not from tribal Germanic invaders. Funny to complain about legitimacy when there was never any in the first place.
@Carlton-B Actually, that wasn't quite the relationship they enjoyed and Harold had shown no desire for the crown. And the record shows that he acted in good faith, nominating William. But the Witenagemot made it clear that they did not want ANOTHER FOREIGNER ON THE THRONE, so they rejected William. They resented the fact that Edwaerd, having been raised in Normandy, flooded the English Court with Frenchmen. ALL the Earls AND high clergy were tired of "foreign invaders" lording it over them. Edward screwed up. And though they recognized another heir -- Edgar, the six year old son of Edward "the Exile" -- they also decided that they did not want a child on the throne, given that they knew that Hardrada and Tostig had already made plans to invade and they did not wish to trust the kingdom to a child. So they elected Harold, the strongest of the Earls to lead them. William's invasion was unforeseen. Hardrada's and Tostig's invasion was not. They knew it would happen. So what "strike back" are you talking about?
@Carlton-B Edward the Exile was already dead. Did you miss that part? You think that Edwar the Confessor was going to nominate a dead man for the office? Both "the Exile," and his son Edgar, were blodd relations of "the Confessor," and were thus considered "legitimate heirs." Harold was just his brother-in-law. HOWEVER . . . ENGLISH LAW says that the Witenagemot CALLED THE SHOTS, not "the Confessr," or any other man. Thus HAROLD was the LEGAL "King." Not William, and not Edgar. Your OPINION does not trump LAW. English LAW made Harold the legitimate King. Choke on it.
Listening to this and other videos in the series makes me love my country, it's history, culture and traditions so much more. We need to not let it be taken away without a fight.
Fun Fact: Harold Godwinson was the last English monarch of a dynasty originating in England. Every monarch since has been of a foreign dynasty or a cadet house of a foreign dynasty.
The norman conquest is the root of the modern british class system. Even today, those with norman surnames have an average wealth 10% larger than those with an anglo-saxon or artisanal surname.
Wasn’t it actually closer to most of the wealth ❓ I remember reading somewhere that all the privately owned land in England still belongs to the Normans almost exclusively
Norman bloodline died out in England common fact we Anglo Saxon aka English still remains when it come to are history people don't have a fucking clue that a fact
@@sarmatiancougar7556the norman bloodline died out England William lost England when we English took back are land seriously people don't have a fucking clue when it come to are history think they no it better then us seriously it's hilarious 🤣🤣🤣
I love this! The Anglo-Saxons are my favorite part in history, and seeing them get more love (especially in regards to post conquest) is wonderful! Another excellent video, keep it up! :D
@Girl17FalkPI’m English, my best friend is also English but from Anglo-Norman roots and he loves England and Saxons as much as me, he even owns a Seax. We are one people now.
@@CHRB-nn6qp we’re so blended I bet it’s pretty much impossible to have an exclusively Saxon or Norman ancestry. We’re like a Norman and Saxon cultural alloy, and the combination of metals makes strong steel out of two weaker parts
@@polishherowitoldpilecki5521 you mean they fought fiercely and bravely, resisting absolute conquest for 300 years of constant war, in the end totally defeating their Viking foes, only to fall in exhaustion at Senlac after the very last of their strength was spent, going down swinging until the end-even thereafter managing to keep their language and identity after total and absolute conquest.
People tend to forget the long history of conflicts between France and England was actually started by nobles that all considered themselves part of the same group, speaking the same language, and often living on the continent while their territories were overseas. The anglos defend their interests in France because from their point of view, they were French themselves and had just come to colonize the island.
This guy is just a french nationalist (look at comment history but I’ll respond- Kind of- at this point they were essentially independent, wrote their own histories and talked about the Franks as different people, despite being extremely similar. The reality is when 19th century people in frnace didn’t refer to themselves as such- put it into a wider context of lack of centralisation, and you get an independent people with a strong dislike of France and it’s king despite being culturally extremely similar. By the Hundred Years’ War- the nobility at all levels was settled in England, and to be honest it doesn’t fit the “colonised” label in the modern context- unless all conquest is colonisation. Especially as the Anglo Saxon and Normans intermingled and assmimlated culture. Also the Normans became English within less than 200 years, the Franks didn’t become Gauls so technically speaking France was actually colonised, especially as the Frankish elite gradually destroyed every non-Parisian identity ( more than 50% of France didn’t even speak french by the 1800s).
The Franks didn't become "English" (or German). A hybrid "identity" of different tribes was formed between the Germanic peoples and Franco Norman rulers. Inter-marriage, children born in wedlock and outside wedlock. The normal pattern of behaviour when multiple cultures consolidate under a new dominant and common identity with a shared language.
@@gerardodwyer5908 What you are saying is anachronistic, the Franks couldn't become English because the concept of nationality didn't exist at the time, they were Franks, Frankish people of Frankish origins and culture speaking the language of the Franks. They did not differentiate between themselves and their cousins back on the continent, they just came on the island to colonize and rule it's Saxon population, that weren't English either. It is only after the 100 years war that their descendants would start seeing themselves as a separate group from the Franks and only centuries later that they would have become English but at that point there wasn't a real difference between the ruling elite and the common people.
Video idea : -History of the avars -their disputed origin -their migration into Europe -how they defeated the gepids and pushed the lombards out of Pannonia -the attempted invasion of Constantinople -the following centuries -the wars with Charlemagne as the end
Slight correction; Henry IV in 1399 became the first monarch since Harold to have a coronation in English. Edward I was probably the first post-Conquest monarch whose first language was English
There's a good book on this, The Bastard King by Jean Plaidy, it's essentially a fictionalized biography of William the Conqueror starting with the story of his parents then covering his birth, conquest and entire reign, the complex history easier to follow because you're seeing it unfold gradually from his perspective and there's even two sequels so you can explore the whole history of Norman monarchy and their struggle ruling England. Great stuff.
You might also like Essex Dogs, a novel by Dan Jones, the late medieval historian, about a group of eight men in Edward III’s attack in France in 1346, leading to the battle of Crecy. A lot of swearing and blood, but the Iliad was pretty much like that.
I recommend all Plaidy’s royal historical fiction books. They are amazing. Read all the European royal family ones. They have been re- printed /published as a set of 10-20 books! Terrific investment if you don’t want to hunt for them in used book stores and libraries…although the hint might of propelled my thirst for the next and the next! However I would also own the re-printed set as they are beautiful to look at too!
Awesome video. My earliest anscestor ive traced back to was Sir Osbern Pentecost who was one of the first Norman nobility to have a castle in england before 1066. Its just a mound of dirt now, Eywas Harold castle built in 1048. Osbern followed Edward the Confessor back to england after his exile and served him until 1052. Later on he joined the court of Macbeth and died at the battle of Dunsinane in 1054.
If you haven’t made one already, I’d love to see a video like this about what happened to the Roman people after the Fall of the Western Roman Empire! Especially those in the Roman provinces like Gaul and Hispania, and how they interacted with their new Germanic “Barbarian” overlords and influenced the development of Feudalism.
No the Barbarians were the ancient Britons who were called this by the Romans because of their language of Brettonic, which sounded to Roman ears like they were saying ' Barh Barh'
I first became aware of the difference between the Saxon word for the animal and the Norman word for the meat when reading the novel Ivanhoe as a teenager. It's an interesting observation.
Foreshadowing Monty Python & the Holy Grail by almost 900 years, the defenders of Exeter pulled down their breeches, exposed themselves and passed gas in the direction of William's besieging forces. Now, that's how you mount a defense!!
thomasglyn9651 At least there are no noun genders in English. German as just one example, is complex because of genders. E.g. Der. Mann Die Frau. Das madchen.
The Normans never forced any change on English language, the Normans had no interest in imposing Old-French on the English, rather the English language adapted naturally as English people and Normans lived side by side, eventually beginning to intermarry, fall in love, and become indistinguishable from each other. We have French in our language because the English used those words, not because it was systematically imposed on us, as say, English was imposed on the Irish
During high school we had a fantastic history teacher who made this history jump off the pages. However, having it in video format just cements everything together. 💜
You guys started the Alfred the great series almost 5 years ago. Are you ever going to finish it? We got to get the battle of Brunanbrah of course Ashdown with Edmund Ironside and Cnut the great.
I hope we get to see the little known history of Anglo-Saxon England. From the semi-legendary founders of the Heptarchy, to Alfred the Great, Æthelstan the first King of the English, Canute the Great and the all the Kings and events in-between.
@JackSonEFla2 sorry buddy but no matter how much you whine like a child you’re not an Anglo-Saxon and you never will be. They disappeared as an ethnic and cultural group ages ago unlike you I actually study this stuff
@flopbrain7980 to the French Normandy was just a vassal. After the Normans conquered Britain, the French king annexed Normandy citing that no foreign king could serve as the ruling vassal of Normandy, thus starting the 100 years war.
This is a subject not covered enough. Glad it had been. And on a side note. The way the Saxon's were described as adapting to the culture of their conquerors reminded me a lot of how the Chinese adapted to the culture of many of their conquerors. How very interesting.
This is a truly excellent presentation that fills in some very important gaps with connections that are often glossed over. Accidents, alliances, tactics, strategies, and dynamics of this transitional era are critically essential to the people we are today.
The historic conflicts between England, Scotland and Ireland have their roots largely in feudal disputes between a common population of rulers of foreign descent.
As always I enjoy watching your videos. 4/5 of my ancestry is British. On one hand the Norman conquest of England makes me sad. I on the other hand admire the Anglo-Saxons for their brave & determined resistance against the Normans.
I think you missed the point. The Normans were only the aristocracy and were assimilated by Anglo-Saxons, actually Anglo-Saxon-Danes, to form the modern English. Normans themselves were Danish-French, distinct from the Franks, although they adopted the French language. See my earlier post re the North Sea Empire of King Cnut. Anglo-Saxons and Jutes were conqueror/settlers and it is uncertain whether they assimilated and merged with the Romano-Britons or completely displaced them. The Romano-Britons were, of course, Celts who had assimilated aspects of Roman culture during the 400 years of Roman occupation.
@@RS__7Biologically speaking Almost yes. The Normans did have some Frankish & Saxon blood in their veins. With the Dukedom of Normandy they broke ties with their Danish & Norwegian kinfolk. They also developed somewhat of a different culture. While the Normans & Anglo-Saxons were close relatives there was a lot of bad blood between them.
Great video! I especially liked the part about the adventures of the Anglo-Saxon exiles in the East and the possibility of some of them settling in Crimea. Did you know that there is a theory that Magnus Haraldson ended up in Poland? It's mostly speculation based on scattered circumstantial evidence, but I think it would make for an interesting topic to examine, similar to your video about the possible inspiration for the character of Lancelot.
There is a mad book which tries to link Lancelot to the river Lot in southern France and to the Romans. But anciently the river was not then called the Lot, and the river has the t pronounced while in French Lancelot has a mute t.
Another awesome video! I especially appreciated the more in-depth look into the history of the Varangian Guard, it's ethnic and cultural makeup, as well as how the Anglo-Saxon people essentially assimilated Norman cultural customs and languages into their own. All in all, a very well-made and informative video!
He also keeps referring to the English as "Saxons" which is incorrect as the majority of the land and the majority of the people of England were in fact Angles not saxons hence why it's England and English not saxonland and saxonish
Frisians didn’t have their own kingdom (at least none that lasted) and they closely related to Saxons anyway. Most likely being those “Proto” Saxons that moved into Frisia after it became habitable again. The area had experienced extensive flooding, most likely driving out the original Frisii
@@SorceressWitch Iv read that before that the Huns came to Britain(or Britannia as it was then). Also I think "Anglo-saxon" is an umbrella term that donates anyone in the Germanic speaking realm of Britain as the past people that we refer to as Anglo-saxons would indeed have had the blood of the Brithonic peoples in their veins because the native Britons interbred with the germanic newcomers (particularly the Brithonic women) and within one or two generations their offspring would have been culturally and linguistically "Anglicised" despite genetically still being descendents of the Celtic Britons
@Stokie_Lad22 Anglo Saxon does refer to the English but "English" or "Anglish" could also refer to someone who was an Angle rather than a Saxon or jute. Before the kingdom of England was formed people in the kingdoms of Wessex or Kent wouldn't have strictly been "English" they would have been "Saxon" and "jutish" whereas people in east Anglia,Mercia and Northumbria would have been "English" as they were Angles. It would be strange if it had gone the other way an we were living in "saxonland" rather than England lol
On the subject of rebellions to Norman rule, mention should be made of the famous Hereward (the Wake), the Lincolnshire thegn, who caused serious disruption to the conquerors in the Fens, until his cause was betrayed. William was so concerned about Hereward's effectiveness that he was personally present at attempts to quash the uprisings. On long-term survivals among the clergy, which became almost wholly Norman-dominated, we should not forget Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, who remained in post until his death in 1095. He was respected by all for his piety, but never forgot his roots and culture.
12:30 that is super interesting and nothing that had ever crossed my mind until now. I speak French, and I knew the words for various meats in English were close to the French words while the animal names were wildly different, but I never stopped to think why.
People underestimate the amount of change and organization that came from the Anglo-Saxon/Viking invasions. Hadrada losing to Godwinson demonstrated that the viking way was no longer effective: the English had risen and learned from their past with a better equipped and better trained army system. The Normans, too, while Viking descendants, were also changed, having been latinized and reorganized as the Duchy of Normandy. By using stronger arms and better cavalry tactics learned from the continent, their victory over the Angles meant their way, too, was over. 1066 was the closing on one era, and the opening of the next.
Plus they were way more Frank. William himself was what 95% frank with mostly frank soldiers. Anglo Saxons still likely win if they only fought them, but they fought Norway and the last vikings first. 2 countries.
True but the Anglo Saxons emphasis on infantry remained quite an important part of the Anglo-Norman and later English armies. But I fully agree that the emphasis on Calvary was highly important.
@@mijanhoque1740 Viking is more a profession, instead of an ethnicity. Rollo was Norse, and after earning his Duchy it was the mixing of Norse and Frankish families which created what would be called the Norman people. This was one of many products of viking conflicts across western europe. William the Conqueror ended up being Last King Standing after all of these viking nations grew into their own and europe as a whole began to stabilize, making the viking lifestyle no longer viable.
This channel is just tremendous in all aspects and I love it when I hear the narrator utter words of wisdom such as at 17:27 with the sound effect of seagulls producing droppings on the departing Normans in the background.
Anglo Saxons one of my fav . Anglo Saxons first devastated by great heathern army and secondly the Normans . Normans stamp their authority into the Anglo Saxons and ruled the country give their identity to british isles . brilliant documentary yet again. we alwys appreciate your hard work and dedication your hard fan from sri lanka.
The quality of the videos and the detailed narrative just keeps me watching for hours learning things that may not be part of my own culture but man , this is interesting!
Interesting video, though find it interesting that there is no mention of the Anglo-norse culture that already existed in large parts of England particularly the uplands, and how the harrying of the North and Harold Hadradas attempt at the crown both relate to those links.
I have often wondered what if Harold Godwinson lost at Stamford bridge. Would there have been an eventual battle between Normans and Norwegians? Also, would the surviving Anglo-Saxons have stood on the sidelines cheering both armies on to slaughter each other, or would they have picked sides?
A couple of weeks earlier if the wind had changed may have had this very scenario being played out, had either one played it smart history may have been a lot different, that said if the Normans and Norwegians fought in the North the Local Saxons in all likelihood would have sided with the Norse. In the South of England they may have seen them as both as invaders and stayed on the sidelines. interesting to think about.
If they knew what was good for them they would have supported William. "Hardraade" literally means "hard ruler" and it was not without reason King Harald was givent that nickname.
One of the most ill-fated events of history. The Saxons were peaceful and artistic, and the division of ruling class and common person after the conquest still exists in England to this day. It also started the culture of conquest that gave rise to the empire. Given how much of modern technology comes from Britain, I think this one event held back human development for centuries. The worst thing is that the English nearly won the war and the Normans won by spreading a rumor that Harold was dead, forcing him to remove his helmet. Is also doesn't help that the English army had just marched across the country twice and fought a battle.
I'm Welsh and I know that Welsh people in the 11th century disliked Harold Godwinson intensely because he'd had considerable success campaigning against them. When he met his end in 1066 the Welsh found it hilarious. Subsequently, they were less happy when they realised they were being attacked by a more formidable enemy than the House of Wessex.
Imagine what it must have taken for Harald to march his English army 185 miles in four days with all their armour, weapons, food and everything nneded for an army, then to fight a major battle against Hardrada and win. Then, force march that army south to Hastings when learning of the Norman invasion, to fight another battle and almost win it, except for the clever ruse by the Normans which broke the English shield wall. By any stretch of the imagination, the efforts of the English were stupendous and truly heroic to force march hundreds of miles, fight two battles, win one and lose the other.
The process continues in our time. What happened to the English after the massive waves of immigration to Britain in the 20th and 21st century? They endured and evolved, incorporating African and Asian customs and languages into their own. A new culture, less insular, less patriarchal, mixed, will emerge. And the real winners will be all those who come to settle in Britain and benefit from it. 😀
As a fan of Anglo-Saxon history and culture 👑🏴 (the 9-11th century is probably my favourite time period of English history) thank You for the video! ♥ It's very interesting topic. I've learned that the evolution of English language after the Norman conquest and later through the Plantagenet rule led to modern English having more words of French origin than native.
Most of the words in the English language as spoken every day are of Old English origin, a lot of Norman words are in our dictionaries but are rarely used. English has not changed as much as many would believe.
I was literally reading up on the Anglo-Saxons who left for the Roman Empire. Does anyone know of any lords or mentioned leaders who were in that exodus and if they also joined the Varangian Guard? I found mentions that many were from the displaced Anglo-Saxon nobility, but no mention of names.
Many who made the journey where survivors of the rebellion centred around Ely, and Hereward the Wake, to say that all the Anglo Saxon Nobility left for Byzantium is a big claim. Many Anglo Saxon Nobility died in the North and at Hastings, along with the Housecarls.
The reality is that the Normans couldn’t replace the Saxon population- just like in northern France and Italy there had to be some level of assimilation- the Saxon identity gradually intermingled wjth the Norman- french culture that William brought with him. As discussed in this video Saxon families intermarried with Norman ones and helped create a gradual bilingual and bi-cultural nobles that became Anglo-Norman and later English. This was further developed under Henry I, who for reasons of legitimacy rather than respect, tried to enforce and promote peace between his Saxon and Norman subjects. And while English culture had been gradually intermingling since the time of the conquest the real catalyst was the fall of Normandy to the french during the beginning of Johns reign. This forced the lords to pick between their English and Norman lands; it also caused resentment against the french particularly in the aftermath of Louis’a invasion in the barons war. It’s interesting that English/Anglo Saxon identity survived, especially when compared to what happened in France and Spain in a similar time frame. Also some genetic studies have shown the continental European dna that much of the English population share is most closely similar to the Low Countries and northern France- implying the whole “no one can tell who is saxon and who is Norman anymore” in the 1100s, takes a whole new meaning
All of Europe is complete mixed dna. And Anglo Saxans were basically vikings who went there 300 years before. Germantic tribes from north Germany and Denmark. "Danes" so they had the same dna even while fighting the vikings. What's new was the French component.
@@mrhumble2937 True but the “Viking” dna is relatively small- around 5% at most probably. Whilst the Western European dna is usually around 20-30% depending on where you are in Britain- it’s very fascinating.
@@TheMrcassina They were Norman and every king after William (except Richard and maybe John) spoke some level of English- with Edward I being the first to use it as propaganda against the french.
This was very interesting. My interest in history has usually been post-renaissance/ heavy Victorian era, but lately I’m exploring events preceding then. Thanks!
AWESOMELY INTERESTING VIDEO. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS BEING "MOSTLY FOUGHT AT NIGHT" WAS FLAT OUT FASCINATING TO ME. HAD NEVER HEARD THAT DETAIL. THANK YOU.
It always amazed me how Edward the Confessor didn't try harder for a peaceful transition of power, seems like he promised the throne to 2 men and then checked out.
The Anglo-Saxons had a system where the nobles basically elected the next king. The current king could nominate a successor but it was not a guarantee that they would be elected.
And I want reparations from the Anglo-Saxons for burying Norman culture. Do you realize that we turned Briton into the most powerful nation on earth at the time? Yeah, Normans built the institutions and systems of government that made England so powerful and it still uses them today. So does the American government. But it was US who faded into obscurity. So who's culture was persecuted? You're welcome btw.
My last name, Bradshaw, is derived from old English. However my family’s motto is actually medieval French. It goes something to the effect of “qui vit content, tient assez” meaning “he who lives contentedly, has enough.” It’s interesting to think that a family with Anglo Saxon roots would have a motto in the French language but possibly they interacted with the Normans to a great extent and knew both languages.
I've got a Scottish line that turned out to have been Norman, the title was given by William during his Scotland conquests. Meanwhile, another line was from Normandy, France who ended up leaving for Canada becoming part of the Metis.
@@Alex-zs7gwif you are English you certainly have at least some Norman blood mate, the Normans aren’t any enemy to us today, they are just our forefathers-just like the Saxons who came before
I'm Danish. One of my friends is a distant relative to King Aethelstan 2:50. He once told me that his great aunt has a mansion in England and that she has granted him and his children land. All the relatives have that. Once his daughter was 10 they sailed to England because she was going to be granted land. In the customs the officer looked at his surname in his passport and said: "Is that your real name?" He said yes of course. She hurried over to her superior and brought him with her. The chief officer brought my friend and his daughter out of the cue and said "My lord." He said that he should not wait for long and quickly brought a car forward that took my friend and his daughter to London. The chief officer said to my friend's daughter: "My lady." His daughter was blown away by this.🤯
I wish you would do a series on South Asia in particular Sri Lanka and its Anuradhapura civilisation which held for 1500 years and how SL fought off multiple regional and foreign invasions including 2 european powers till 1815!
The hybrid language myth strikes again. Not a single linguist on earth would say that English is a hybrid language. Most of the changes from Old English to Middle English came from the Danelaw and East Anglia. English grammar is more similar to Norwegian , its sound system remains Germanic and its most common used words are all of Anglo-Saxon or Old Norse origin. German (or Hochdeutch) borrowed grammar from French and underwent the consonant shift, but no one calls German a hybrid.
@@eadweardwoden7309 actually, English word origins are about 30% French, 30% German, and 30% Latin. (although as thegoon33 points out, there is other stuff from Norse mixed in with German part, it wasn't just the Saxons, it was the Aengles / Jutes as well). The cover of a UK passport is written in French, not German. I would have thought that the modern form of English qualifies as a hybrid language, although not old or middle English. Especially when you start to look at English slang and colloquial or regional words, and place names, which tend to have a non Germanic origin, and be closer in pronunciation to their non English equivalents than 21st Century formal English.
@@andrewsharpley4984 i never said anything about how much of what language makes up english, i;m talking about the main words we use. the most words used in our daily vocabulary is old english. "about half of the words used today have their roots in Old English."
@@eadweardwoden7309 sure but ''old english'' was a mangle of romance language ( Latin/ French ) and Danish and Saxon already, The north of France ( Brittany) was seen as more or less the same country as Britain for about 400 years after that, and generally i would argue that French marginally edges it in our current English vocabulary over German ( ''the beautiful game'', eh? all words French origin) despite what Wikipedia or Google might tell you as a one sentence misleading quote. We even call 'tea' after the French! And that came from the Chinese and Indians!'
@@andrewsharpley4984 yeah but I'm just saying the majority use Saxon/Germanic words for everyday life talking. you could literally could use only old english words to communicate, you couldn't with the latin, french or any other part of the english langauge today. its called anglish, search it on youtube.
You've missed out the final Saxon hold out on the Isle of Ely lead by Hereward. William lost hundreds of troups when his wooden causway collapsed in 1071
17:18 So this is yet another example of “Rome conquered Greece but Greece conquered Rome”. The demographically and structurally dominant culture still somehow ends up with a W although vanquished on the battle field.
Some video ideas 1) The Daco-Thracian world from Early Iron Age to Late Antiquity (origin, language, religion, society and political organisation, relations with Greeks, Scythians, Persians, Celts, Romans and Goths) 2) The Arabic conquest of Sicily 3) Ancient history of Cyprus: From the Hittite Empire and the Greek colonisations to Ptolemaic rule and the Romans 4) Sclaveni and Antes in southern Greece and the Byzantine Reconquista
Amazing video! I've heard about the Norman's burning a byzantine church with Varangians in there, never knew those were majorly saxons. I would love to learn about the mainland saxons that stayed behind too during this time period
At 8:00 minutes in I realized that this is where Monty Python In Search Of The Holy Grail Got the idea for one of the scenes in the movie. "English pig dogs I fart in your general direction". I nearly fell off my chair. Way too funny. Thanks for reviving the memory of a great movie.
I seen your videos covering bits of Anglo-Saxon England; including Hastings and the Viking Invasions. I hope you'll cover their history as you've done with the Celts and Welsh. As English history before 1066 is not well known or covered as the Medieval era.
@dansouthlondon9873 All Northern Europeans are basically the same...the only distinction genetically is between the Celts and Germanic tribes but even then its small ...Both the Celts and Germanics come from the Japheth bloodline in the Bible...Celts come from Japheth's eldest son Gomer were the first to venture up into Europe
So many people and cultures fought and died for this sceptered isle. My mother's ancestors were Norman French. I have always found the development of England post Rome fascinating, especially the interplay of Normans, Saxons, Jutes, Frisians and Norsemen, not to mention Picts, Caledonian et al. What an amazing history.
So that's where the Pythons got the inspiration for the scene in The holy Grail, where John Cleese plays a Frenchman saying: "Your mother was a Hamster and your father smelled of elderberries. I fart in your general direction."
Try Imprint for free for 7 days at imprintapp.com/kingsandgenerals and the first 200 people will get 20% off an annual subscription!
I hope you could also make videos of the ancient Korean States (Koguryo & Ballhae) that ruled North Korea, Manchuria, and southern regions of Russian Far East
Do the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American next!
Does K&G have a hard rule about when to use miles and when to use kilometers?
Not a complaint, just curious.
@Kingsandgenerals you made pacific war members only? After we been watching this for months/years? What the fuck is wrong with your channel?! What about people who can't afford it?
After your what if series about the mongols on your wizard and warriors channel have you thought about doing a what if series on if the anglo saxons/norwegians won in 1066? just wondering.
The idea of an Anglo-Saxon colony in Crimea is fascinating. I was always amazed that the Greeks had made it out that far - such a mysterious place in all the history books.
Greeks had kingdoms as far away as India so not that far in comparison😂
@@KoroushRP yes, but Iran is closer - just a hop across the Black Sea.
@@mordapl1641 Yes, but the Crimean colony was hundreds of years before Alexander. This was Phoenician-style maritime colonization. Alexander’s conquests were contiguous over land. Impressively quick, but military and political.
Greeks settled in western China
I think a lot of people were mercenaries in those times to make money
Only five Anglo-Saxon landholder families can trace their male linage to before the conquest: Arden, Berkeley, Grindlay, Wentworth, and Swinton.
Neville, current Marques of Abergavenny
I've actually been to Berkeley castle years ago. Where Edward II was murdered there.
It’s because some of the men were killed in the dual battles of 1066 or left to find employment elsewhere, the women would intermarry with the incoming lords (similar to what happened in Normandy funnily enough). But it is true there was far more intermarriage with the lower nobility than at the top.
@quantjonna293 is that in Wales? Abergaveny? I went with a friend to visit his family in Byrnmawr. We went to an outdoor shopping mall in a town that sounded like that. I say it that way because I don't remember seeing the town name spelled out from back then, so this would be my first time reading it.
@Girl17FalkP the term English is a broad one. Anglo-saxon is a less broad one. They have a lot of overlap, but are not one and the same.
I've long been interested in history, but to hear that the Anglo-Saxons joined the Varangian Guard in Constantinople was incredible to me! Thank you for this video!
EDIT: Whoa this really blew up! I didn't expect to get that much attention. Thanks guys.
In some bar in Constantinople:
Viking varangian: and so, we were fighting over a bridge, but I lost my favourite spear when I threw it and it buried into the shield of this Anglo Eorl, who had a green Dragon in a red and black swirling background.
Anglo Varangian: wait, a green Dragon in a red and black swirl? That's MY shield! That was a good throw, I had to replace the paint and wood from the splintering.
Viking varangian:... So, you got the spearhead or....?
Imagine bumping into a Norman there.
@@jonbaxter2254they did in Sicily
@@jonbaxter2254time for round 2 m8 😂
And thus a great friendship and possible anime was born. @@utubrGaming
Am loving the history of Britain videos you guys are doing.
Celts, Saxons, Civil Wars. Terrific channel.
If you like the Saxons you should research the Angles and jutes aswell
Fun Fact: While Edgar Æthling was the last male heir of the House of Wessex, he had a niece, Edith, later renamed Matilda, who married William the Conqueror's youngest son, Henry I, whose grandson was Henry II, the first of the Plantagenet kings. Thus, the blood of Wessex was joined with that of Normandy and Anjou, and is part of the Royal House to this day.
(This has been edited, I originally thought Edith/Matilda was the Æthling's daughter, not his niece. Mea culpa)
William the Conqueror was also married to Matilda of Flanders who was the daughter of Ælthfrith King Alfred's youngest daughter. So all William's descendants were also King Alfred's.
Also King Alfred the Great was descended from Cerdic the first King of Wessex and Cerdic was a Briton. So all his Alfred's descendants were also from the original Brythonic Britons.
@@johnbrereton5229 And William's paternal grandmother was Judith of Brittany. So he also had Briton in him by way of Brittany.
@@mbd501
That's interesting, because the people of Brittany came from Briton, it was originally called Little Briton. I looked up Judith, and her brother Geoffrey I Duke of Brittany also married Hawisse of Normandy the daughter of Richard I Duke of Normany. Therefore, its possible to say that both kings and their dynasties can be traced back to the ancient Britons.
Henry II not III
I have heard that the North of England never truly recovered from the harrying, I'm not sure that they would agree that their culture was 'enriched' by the Normans.
We wouldn't agree, mate. You're right. Takes a dope to think the Normans enriched anybody given they slaughtered men, women and children in that region. That is what the harrying of the north was. Basically, a genocide. It wasn't 100% successful, but several hundred villages were raised to the ground & burned all over the North of England. York and other affected regions hate William to this day because we were turned into a city of penury that is still in effect. We are controlled by Switzerland, which is why the English and Swiss flags are the same colour. Conquered and kept as a vassal state city. Edited to fix typo's.
As a Northerner I can confirm that we're quite impoverished today but a large part of that is due to de-industrialisation I reckon.
@@fyrwyrd and most northerners being benefit scroungers
The kingdom of Elmet is an unknown kingdom based in the North of the UK.
I say based because it's people and it's Kingston are still in full life today although no one would know it.
The kingdom of Elmet is primarily based within the people's of West Yorkshire and it has been proven by genetic testing that native West Yorkshire people have the most unique DNA among all of them British isles.
The north traditionally votes left wing and it's only fair that they bear the brunt of those policies (being impoverished).
You didn't mention it -- as it is not the subject of this video -- but everytime I watch a video such as this, I am compelled to bring it up: Everyone seems to forget the Witenagemot, or else, they ignore it completely. The English King -- in this case Edward the Confessor -- COULD NOT "name" his successor. The King could only NOMINATE a successor. The Witenagemot ELECTED the next King, though they would take into consideration the prior King's nomination, BUT THAT'S ALL.
Harold KNEW this, and therefore could not -- AND WOULD NOT -- "promise" the throne to William. He could ONLY put William up as a "candidate" for the throne -- and Edward could only nominate him for the position. Like all "Conquerors," William had his "minions" do a little "rewriting" of events to justify his conquest. William -- the Norman -- had no regard for "English law."
The true rulers of BRITAIN are descended from Ambrosius and Arthwys ap Mar, not from tribal Germanic invaders. Funny to complain about legitimacy when there was never any in the first place.
I'm so glad there are others who know and understand this.
@Carlton-B Actually, that wasn't quite the relationship they enjoyed and Harold had shown no desire for the crown. And the record shows that he acted in good faith, nominating William. But the Witenagemot made it clear that they did not want ANOTHER FOREIGNER ON THE THRONE, so they rejected William. They resented the fact that Edwaerd, having been raised in Normandy, flooded the English Court with Frenchmen. ALL the Earls AND high clergy were tired of "foreign invaders" lording it over them. Edward screwed up.
And though they recognized another heir -- Edgar, the six year old son of Edward "the Exile" -- they also decided that they did not want a child on the throne, given that they knew that Hardrada and Tostig had already made plans to invade and they did not wish to trust the kingdom to a child. So they elected Harold, the strongest of the Earls to lead them.
William's invasion was unforeseen. Hardrada's and Tostig's invasion was not. They knew it would happen.
So what "strike back" are you talking about?
@Carlton-B Edward the Exile was already dead. Did you miss that part? You think that Edwar the Confessor was going to nominate a dead man for the office? Both "the Exile," and his son Edgar, were blodd relations of "the Confessor," and were thus considered "legitimate heirs." Harold was just his brother-in-law.
HOWEVER . . . ENGLISH LAW says that the Witenagemot CALLED THE SHOTS, not "the Confessr," or any other man. Thus HAROLD was the LEGAL "King." Not William, and not Edgar. Your OPINION does not trump LAW. English LAW made Harold the legitimate King.
Choke on it.
That's why we call him The Conquer and not The Inheritor.
This ancient history documentary is a gem. It's rare to find such well-researched content presented so engagingly.
Listening to this and other videos in the series makes me love my country, it's history, culture and traditions so much more. We need to not let it be taken away without a fight.
Fun Fact: Harold Godwinson was the last English monarch of a dynasty originating in England. Every monarch since has been of a foreign dynasty or a cadet house of a foreign dynasty.
Wrong try the Anglo Saxons came from Germany and Denmark try again 😂.
Wrong. All English monarchs except four can trace descent to Alfred the Great! Sweyn Forkbeard, Canute, Harthacanute and Harold Godwinson.
@@WhenInDarknessSeekTheLight England literally means the land of the angles! If anyone should try again it's you!
@@DrivermanO Not even remotely true. Hell the current royal family is german not english and has been for centuries
@@JS-wp4gsthe current Royal family's real surname is saxe-coburg-gotha
The norman conquest is the root of the modern british class system. Even today, those with norman surnames have an average wealth 10% larger than those with an anglo-saxon or artisanal surname.
Wasn’t it actually closer to most of the wealth ❓
I remember reading somewhere that all the privately owned land in England still belongs to the Normans almost exclusively
Norman bloodline died out in England common fact we Anglo Saxon aka English still remains when it come to are history people don't have a fucking clue that a fact
@@sarmatiancougar7556the norman bloodline died out England William lost England when we English took back are land seriously people don't have a fucking clue when it come to are history think they no it better then us seriously it's hilarious 🤣🤣🤣
@@sarmatiancougar7556the nobility were norman, but English are Anglo saxon
Genetically Anglo celt
I love this! The Anglo-Saxons are my favorite part in history, and seeing them get more love (especially in regards to post conquest) is wonderful! Another excellent video, keep it up! :D
@Girl17FalkPI’m English, my best friend is also English but from Anglo-Norman roots and he loves England and Saxons as much as me, he even owns a Seax. We are one people now.
@@benfisher5531Very true! We may have differing origins, but we ultimately ended up as one, something that has happened with many cultures
@@CHRB-nn6qp we’re so blended I bet it’s pretty much impossible to have an exclusively Saxon or Norman ancestry. We’re like a Norman and Saxon cultural alloy, and the combination of metals makes strong steel out of two weaker parts
Didn’t they get steamrolled for much of their history.
@@polishherowitoldpilecki5521 you mean they fought fiercely and bravely, resisting absolute conquest for 300 years of constant war, in the end totally defeating their Viking foes, only to fall in exhaustion at Senlac after the very last of their strength was spent, going down swinging until the end-even thereafter managing to keep their language and identity after total and absolute conquest.
People tend to forget the long history of conflicts between France and England was actually started by nobles that all considered themselves part of the same group, speaking the same language, and often living on the continent while their territories were overseas. The anglos defend their interests in France because from their point of view, they were French themselves and had just come to colonize the island.
This guy is just a french nationalist (look at comment history but I’ll respond-
Kind of- at this point they were essentially independent, wrote their own histories and talked about the Franks as different people, despite being extremely similar. The reality is when 19th century people in frnace didn’t refer to themselves as such- put it into a wider context of lack of centralisation, and you get an independent people with a strong dislike of France and it’s king despite being culturally extremely similar.
By the Hundred Years’ War- the nobility at all levels was settled in England, and to be honest it doesn’t fit the “colonised” label in the modern context- unless all conquest is colonisation. Especially as the Anglo Saxon and Normans intermingled and assmimlated culture.
Also the Normans became English within less than 200 years, the Franks didn’t become Gauls so technically speaking France was actually colonised, especially as the Frankish elite gradually destroyed every non-Parisian identity ( more than 50% of France didn’t even speak french by the 1800s).
Most civil wars are the same peop[le fighting over ideology.
Just like WW1.
The Franks didn't become "English" (or German). A hybrid "identity" of different tribes was formed between the Germanic peoples and Franco Norman rulers. Inter-marriage, children born in wedlock and outside wedlock. The normal pattern of behaviour when multiple cultures consolidate under a new dominant and common identity with a shared language.
@@gerardodwyer5908 What you are saying is anachronistic, the Franks couldn't become English because the concept of nationality didn't exist at the time, they were Franks, Frankish people of Frankish origins and culture speaking the language of the Franks. They did not differentiate between themselves and their cousins back on the continent, they just came on the island to colonize and rule it's Saxon population, that weren't English either. It is only after the 100 years war that their descendants would start seeing themselves as a separate group from the Franks and only centuries later that they would have become English but at that point there wasn't a real difference between the ruling elite and the common people.
Video idea :
-History of the avars
-their disputed origin
-their migration into Europe
-how they defeated the gepids and pushed the lombards out of Pannonia
-the attempted invasion of Constantinople
-the following centuries
-the wars with Charlemagne as the end
Not a good idea. The video will literally be bombarded with Turkish nationalists.
@@-Blast shit you’re right ☹️
@@-Blast reason more to do it. Otherwise we surrender to their racist revisionism
@@-Blast I am a turkish and I agree with you
Slight correction; Henry IV in 1399 became the first monarch since Harold to have a coronation in English. Edward I was probably the first post-Conquest monarch whose first language was English
Merci beaucoup.
Great video as always, Keep up the great work ! This video definitely made me way more interested in Englands history .
There's a good book on this, The Bastard King by Jean Plaidy, it's essentially a fictionalized biography of William the Conqueror starting with the story of his parents then covering his birth, conquest and entire reign, the complex history easier to follow because you're seeing it unfold gradually from his perspective and there's even two sequels so you can explore the whole history of Norman monarchy and their struggle ruling England. Great stuff.
Cheers for the recommendation will give it a check
You might also like Essex Dogs, a novel by Dan Jones, the late medieval historian, about a group of eight men in Edward III’s attack in France in 1346, leading to the battle of Crecy. A lot of swearing and blood, but the Iliad was pretty much like that.
William the bastard is what he's known as in the northeast
I recommend all Plaidy’s royal historical fiction books. They are amazing. Read all the European royal family ones. They have been re- printed /published as a set of 10-20 books! Terrific investment if you don’t want to hunt for them in used book stores and libraries…although the hint might of propelled my thirst for the next and the next! However I would also own the re-printed set as they are beautiful to look at too!
Awesome video. My earliest anscestor ive traced back to was Sir Osbern Pentecost who was one of the first Norman nobility to have a castle in england before 1066. Its just a mound of dirt now, Eywas Harold castle built in 1048. Osbern followed Edward the Confessor back to england after his exile and served him until 1052. Later on he joined the court of Macbeth and died at the battle of Dunsinane in 1054.
If you haven’t made one already, I’d love to see a video like this about what happened to the Roman people after the Fall of the Western Roman Empire! Especially those in the Roman provinces like Gaul and Hispania, and how they interacted with their new Germanic “Barbarian” overlords and influenced the development of Feudalism.
No the Barbarians were the ancient Britons who were called this by the Romans because of their language of Brettonic, which sounded to Roman ears like they were saying ' Barh Barh'
I first became aware of the difference between the Saxon word for the animal and the Norman word for the meat when reading the novel Ivanhoe as a teenager. It's an interesting observation.
Foreshadowing Monty Python & the Holy Grail by almost 900 years, the defenders of Exeter pulled down their breeches, exposed themselves and passed gas in the direction of William's besieging forces. Now, that's how you mount a defense!!
You mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries - now go away or I shall taunt you a second time
I fart in your general direction!
Thank you Normans for coming in and making the English language a complete nightmare of weird spellings and inconsistent rules of pronunciation
thomasglyn9651
At least there are no noun genders in English.
German as just one example, is complex because of genders. E.g.
Der. Mann
Die Frau.
Das madchen.
The Normans never forced any change on English language, the Normans had no interest in imposing Old-French on the English, rather the English language adapted naturally as English people and Normans lived side by side, eventually beginning to intermarry, fall in love, and become indistinguishable from each other. We have French in our language because the English used those words, not because it was systematically imposed on us, as say, English was imposed on the Irish
During high school we had a fantastic history teacher who made this history jump off the pages. However, having it in video format just cements everything together. 💜
Wow! unexpected video supplement 😱😱.
Good job dude 👏👏.
You guys started the Alfred the great series almost 5 years ago. Are you ever going to finish it? We got to get the battle of Brunanbrah of course Ashdown with Edmund Ironside and Cnut the great.
A remake is in the works.
@@KingsandGenerals Rebooting Alfred with these new visauals makes sense ^^
I hope we get to see the little known history of Anglo-Saxon England. From the semi-legendary founders of the Heptarchy, to Alfred the Great, Æthelstan the first King of the English, Canute the Great and the all the Kings and events in-between.
@JackSonEFla2 sorry buddy but no matter how much you whine like a child you’re not an Anglo-Saxon and you never will be. They disappeared as an ethnic and cultural group ages ago unlike you I actually study this stuff
Thank you very much for posting this! I’ve been interested recently in how the Anglo Saxons were affected by the Norman Conquest.
@Girl17FalkPNormandy was not a separate kingdom but a vassel duchy, a self-governing territory under the French monarchy.
@@TheMrcassina Normans were Norse (Swiss). They branched off into Normandy and interbred with the French.
@@TheMrcassinaAgain and again and again...No, we normans were not part of france...We had legal obligations towards france.
@@keng293The fuck you mean “we Normans” 😂. Mate they’re a people who died out thousand years ago.
@flopbrain7980 to the French Normandy was just a vassal. After the Normans conquered Britain, the French king annexed Normandy citing that no foreign king could serve as the ruling vassal of Normandy, thus starting the 100 years war.
This ancient history documentary is a treasure trove of knowledge! The storytelling and visuals are top-notch. 🌟
This is a subject not covered enough. Glad it had been. And on a side note. The way the Saxon's were described as adapting to the culture of their conquerors reminded me a lot of how the Chinese adapted to the culture of many of their conquerors. How very interesting.
It wasn't just the Saxons it was also the Angles and jutes. If you just say "Saxon" you are only refering to most people in southern England.
This is a truly excellent presentation that fills in some very important gaps with connections that are often glossed over.
Accidents, alliances, tactics, strategies, and dynamics of this transitional era are critically essential to the people we are today.
The historic conflicts between England, Scotland and Ireland have their roots largely in feudal disputes between a common population of rulers of foreign descent.
As always I enjoy watching your videos. 4/5 of my ancestry is British. On one hand the Norman conquest of England makes me sad. I on the other hand admire the Anglo-Saxons for their brave & determined resistance against the Normans.
Ok, murican. 🙄
I think you missed the point.
The Normans were only the aristocracy and were assimilated by Anglo-Saxons, actually Anglo-Saxon-Danes, to form the modern English. Normans themselves were Danish-French, distinct from the Franks, although they adopted the French language. See my earlier post re the North Sea Empire of King Cnut.
Anglo-Saxons and Jutes were conqueror/settlers and it is uncertain whether they assimilated and merged with the Romano-Britons or completely displaced them.
The Romano-Britons were, of course, Celts who had assimilated aspects of Roman culture during the 400 years of Roman occupation.
@@ianhigh4354 I did not miss any point. Practically any event in history has multiple aspects & angles
Normans basically the same people.. Northmen
@@RS__7Biologically speaking Almost yes. The Normans did have some Frankish & Saxon blood in their veins.
With the Dukedom of Normandy they broke ties with their Danish & Norwegian kinfolk. They also developed somewhat of a different culture.
While the Normans & Anglo-Saxons were close relatives there was a lot of bad blood between them.
Saxons in Crimea!? I learn something new everyday.
At some point Goths also lived in Crimea too. They even established their own state in the 15th century.
@@somerandomguywithinternet7979 Ah, but I already knew that a long time ago. But it's still fascinating.
@@vitorpereira9515 Germanic tribes really loved going the extra mile....
Literally lol
@@somerandomguywithinternet7979 Turks too.
Brazzeril 🇧🇷🏳️🌈
Great video! I especially liked the part about the adventures of the Anglo-Saxon exiles in the East and the possibility of some of them settling in Crimea. Did you know that there is a theory that Magnus Haraldson ended up in Poland? It's mostly speculation based on scattered circumstantial evidence, but I think it would make for an interesting topic to examine, similar to your video about the possible inspiration for the character of Lancelot.
The Crimean connection is documented.
There is a mad book which tries to link Lancelot to the river Lot in southern France and to the Romans. But anciently the river was not then called the Lot, and the river has the t pronounced while in French Lancelot has a mute t.
@@Joanna-il2ur...The Lancelyn green family here on the Wirral came over with William the Conqueror,
@@eamonnclabby7067 But nobody had surnames and the Lot is in southern France. I fear this is a family myth.
Another awesome video! I especially appreciated the more in-depth look into the history of the Varangian Guard, it's ethnic and cultural makeup, as well as how the Anglo-Saxon people essentially assimilated Norman cultural customs and languages into their own. All in all, a very well-made and informative video!
No we did not. Wish you revisionist idiots understood that Norman culture never went further than London/Monarchy.
Everyone keeps forgetting about the Frisians...
4 tribes migrated to the British Isles, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians.
He also keeps referring to the English as "Saxons" which is incorrect as the majority of the land and the majority of the people of England were in fact Angles not saxons hence why it's England and English not saxonland and saxonish
Very good point @@lightfootpathfinder8218
Frisians didn’t have their own kingdom (at least none that lasted) and they closely related to Saxons anyway. Most likely being those “Proto” Saxons that moved into Frisia after it became habitable again. The area had experienced extensive flooding, most likely driving out the original Frisii
@@SorceressWitch Iv read that before that the Huns came to Britain(or Britannia as it was then). Also I think "Anglo-saxon" is an umbrella term that donates anyone in the Germanic speaking realm of Britain as the past people that we refer to as Anglo-saxons would indeed have had the blood of the Brithonic peoples in their veins because the native Britons interbred with the germanic newcomers (particularly the Brithonic women) and within one or two generations their offspring would have been culturally and linguistically "Anglicised" despite genetically still being descendents of the Celtic Britons
@Stokie_Lad22 Anglo Saxon does refer to the English but "English" or "Anglish" could also refer to someone who was an Angle rather than a Saxon or jute. Before the kingdom of England was formed people in the kingdoms of Wessex or Kent wouldn't have strictly been "English" they would have been "Saxon" and "jutish" whereas people in east Anglia,Mercia and Northumbria would have been "English" as they were Angles. It would be strange if it had gone the other way an we were living in "saxonland" rather than England lol
I‘m on a trip through England and Wales, and will visit Hastings in a couple of days. Thanks for the context!
On the subject of rebellions to Norman rule, mention should be made of the famous Hereward (the Wake), the Lincolnshire thegn, who caused serious disruption to the conquerors in the Fens, until his cause was betrayed. William was so concerned about Hereward's effectiveness that he was personally present at attempts to quash the uprisings. On long-term survivals among the clergy, which became almost wholly Norman-dominated, we should not forget Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, who remained in post until his death in 1095. He was respected by all for his piety, but never forgot his roots and culture.
One of the chroniclers of the time wrote,if England had ten Herewards we'd have driven the Normans back in to the sea.
12:30 that is super interesting and nothing that had ever crossed my mind until now. I speak French, and I knew the words for various meats in English were close to the French words while the animal names were wildly different, but I never stopped to think why.
People underestimate the amount of change and organization that came from the Anglo-Saxon/Viking invasions. Hadrada losing to Godwinson demonstrated that the viking way was no longer effective: the English had risen and learned from their past with a better equipped and better trained army system. The Normans, too, while Viking descendants, were also changed, having been latinized and reorganized as the Duchy of Normandy. By using stronger arms and better cavalry tactics learned from the continent, their victory over the Angles meant their way, too, was over.
1066 was the closing on one era, and the opening of the next.
Plus they were way more Frank. William himself was what 95% frank with mostly frank soldiers.
Anglo Saxons still likely win if they only fought them, but they fought Norway and the last vikings first. 2 countries.
True but the Anglo Saxons emphasis on infantry remained quite an important part of the Anglo-Norman and later English armies. But I fully agree that the emphasis on Calvary was highly important.
@TheMrcassina obviously, and half the army was straight franks not even from normandy.
Normans were essentially Frenchmen and hardly can be recognised as Vikings
@@mijanhoque1740 Viking is more a profession, instead of an ethnicity. Rollo was Norse, and after earning his Duchy it was the mixing of Norse and Frankish families which created what would be called the Norman people. This was one of many products of viking conflicts across western europe. William the Conqueror ended up being Last King Standing after all of these viking nations grew into their own and europe as a whole began to stabilize, making the viking lifestyle no longer viable.
incredible work. Please keep it up!
This channel is just tremendous in all aspects and I love it when I hear the narrator utter words of wisdom such as at 17:27 with the sound effect of seagulls producing droppings on the departing Normans in the background.
Also elephant sounds in the video about battle between early Roman's and Greeks, in which they won and later be known as "Pyrrhic victory"
@@yavitvexe9997 The team behind Kings and Generals certainly know their stuff. Top notch and always improving.
Anglo Saxons one of my fav . Anglo Saxons first devastated by great heathern army and secondly the Normans . Normans stamp their authority into the Anglo Saxons and ruled the country give their identity to british isles . brilliant documentary yet again. we alwys appreciate your hard work and dedication your hard fan from sri lanka.
The quality of the videos and the detailed narrative just keeps me watching for hours learning things that may not be part of my own culture but man , this is interesting!
We're still here mate 🏴
Yes you are🇩🇪🤗
7:52 who knew that old Monty Python line "I fart in your general direction" was based on a true event!? 😂
Interesting video, though find it interesting that there is no mention of the Anglo-norse culture that already existed in large parts of England particularly the uplands, and how the harrying of the North and Harold Hadradas attempt at the crown both relate to those links.
Intriguing information about the Anglo-Saxons leaving for the Varangian Guard. Amazing video. Thanks
I have often wondered what if Harold Godwinson lost at Stamford bridge. Would there have been an eventual battle between Normans and Norwegians? Also, would the surviving Anglo-Saxons have stood on the sidelines cheering both armies on to slaughter each other, or would they have picked sides?
Interesting thoughts.. Make a good alternative history
A couple of weeks earlier if the wind had changed may have had this very scenario being played out, had either one played it smart history may have been a lot different, that said if the Normans and Norwegians fought in the North the Local Saxons in all likelihood would have sided with the Norse.
In the South of England they may have seen them as both as invaders and stayed on the sidelines.
interesting to think about.
If they knew what was good for them they would have supported William. "Hardraade" literally means "hard ruler" and it was not without reason King Harald was givent that nickname.
lol yeah because William was so benevolent right?
Duke William in all likelihood killed more innocent people then Hardraade ever did.@@tessjuel
I love your guy’s job with the illuminated manuscripts and Saxon style knot work patterns
God damn i love these "people-group" or cultural vids. Honestly, stellar work y'all, you guys are keeping my passion for history burning bright
Love that medieval/fantasy chant music used in the background, really transports you to this era
One of the most ill-fated events of history. The Saxons were peaceful and artistic, and the division of ruling class and common person after the conquest still exists in England to this day. It also started the culture of conquest that gave rise to the empire. Given how much of modern technology comes from Britain, I think this one event held back human development for centuries. The worst thing is that the English nearly won the war and the Normans won by spreading a rumor that Harold was dead, forcing him to remove his helmet. Is also doesn't help that the English army had just marched across the country twice and fought a battle.
Amazing work, big fan of this channel !!! one of the best if not the best historical channel. congrats
I'm Welsh and I know that Welsh people in the 11th century disliked Harold Godwinson intensely because he'd had considerable success campaigning against them. When he met his end in 1066 the Welsh found it hilarious. Subsequently, they were less happy when they realised they were being attacked by a more formidable enemy than the House of Wessex.
Such an awesome video guys! You guys are the best in the business
Imagine what it must have taken for Harald to march his English army 185 miles in four days with all their armour, weapons, food and everything nneded for an army, then to fight a major battle against Hardrada and win.
Then, force march that army south to Hastings when learning of the Norman invasion, to fight another battle and almost win it, except for the clever ruse by the Normans which broke the English shield wall.
By any stretch of the imagination, the efforts of the English were stupendous and truly heroic to force march hundreds of miles, fight two battles, win one and lose the other.
The process continues in our time. What happened to the English after the massive waves of immigration to Britain in the 20th and 21st century?
They endured and evolved, incorporating African and Asian customs and languages into their own.
A new culture, less insular, less patriarchal, mixed, will emerge. And the real winners will be all those who come to settle in Britain and benefit from it.
😀
a fascinating video, thanks for all the great work you put into these.
As a fan of Anglo-Saxon history and culture 👑🏴 (the 9-11th century is probably my favourite time period of English history) thank You for the video! ♥ It's very interesting topic. I've learned that the evolution of English language after the Norman conquest and later through the Plantagenet rule led to modern English having more words of French origin than native.
Early medieval English history is so interesting to learn, with its countless wars, invasions, rulers…
Did you learn the ways of the Anglo Saxons from Count Dooku?
That's a bit of a stretch. If that were true, we'd be speaking full French.
Most of the words in the English language as spoken every day are of Old English origin, a lot of Norman words are in our dictionaries but are rarely used. English has not changed as much as many would believe.
@@benfisher5531Just a glance at old English shows that it has changed significantly. But it isn’t as Latin as people believe
7:58 - and this, children, is where Monty Python's “I fart in your general direction” comes from.
I was literally reading up on the Anglo-Saxons who left for the Roman Empire. Does anyone know of any lords or mentioned leaders who were in that exodus and if they also joined the Varangian Guard? I found mentions that many were from the displaced Anglo-Saxon nobility, but no mention of names.
Many who made the journey where survivors of the rebellion centred around Ely, and Hereward the Wake, to say that all the Anglo Saxon Nobility left for Byzantium is a big claim.
Many Anglo Saxon Nobility died in the North and at Hastings, along with the Housecarls.
A most enjoyable video. Thank you for the content!
The reality is that the Normans couldn’t replace the Saxon population- just like in northern France and Italy there had to be some level of assimilation- the Saxon identity gradually intermingled wjth the Norman- french culture that William brought with him. As discussed in this video Saxon families intermarried with Norman ones and helped create a gradual bilingual and bi-cultural nobles that became Anglo-Norman and later English.
This was further developed under Henry I, who for reasons of legitimacy rather than respect, tried to enforce and promote peace between his Saxon and Norman subjects.
And while English culture had been gradually intermingling since the time of the conquest the real catalyst was the fall of Normandy to the french during the beginning of Johns reign. This forced the lords to pick between their English and Norman lands; it also caused resentment against the french particularly in the aftermath of Louis’a invasion in the barons war.
It’s interesting that English/Anglo Saxon identity survived, especially when compared to what happened in France and Spain in a similar time frame.
Also some genetic studies have shown the continental European dna that much of the English population share is most closely similar to the Low Countries and northern France- implying the whole “no one can tell who is saxon and who is Norman anymore” in the 1100s, takes a whole new meaning
All of Europe is complete mixed dna. And Anglo Saxans were basically vikings who went there 300 years before. Germantic tribes from north Germany and Denmark. "Danes" so they had the same dna even while fighting the vikings.
What's new was the French component.
Did you mean Louis the Lion when he invaded during the first barons war?
@@mrhumble2937 True but the “Viking” dna is relatively small- around 5% at most probably. Whilst the Western European dna is usually around 20-30% depending on where you are in Britain- it’s very fascinating.
@@ToastieBRRRN yes what a stupid mistake I apologise.
@@TheMrcassina They were Norman and every king after William (except Richard and maybe John) spoke some level of English- with Edward I being the first to use it as propaganda against the french.
This was very interesting. My interest in history has usually been post-renaissance/ heavy Victorian era, but lately I’m exploring events preceding then. Thanks!
You'll learn that "nothing new under the sun."
AWESOMELY INTERESTING VIDEO. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS BEING "MOSTLY FOUGHT AT NIGHT" WAS FLAT OUT FASCINATING TO ME. HAD NEVER HEARD THAT DETAIL. THANK YOU.
It always amazed me how Edward the Confessor didn't try harder for a peaceful transition of power, seems like he promised the throne to 2 men and then checked out.
The Anglo-Saxons had a system where the nobles basically elected the next king. The current king could nominate a successor but it was not a guarantee that they would be elected.
This helped so much tyyy❤
I want reparations from the Normans!!! ASLM...Anglo Saxon Lives Matter!!!!
kewl
Yes 🇩🇪
And I want reparations from the Anglo-Saxons for burying Norman culture. Do you realize that we turned Briton into the most powerful nation on earth at the time? Yeah, Normans built the institutions and systems of government that made England so powerful and it still uses them today. So does the American government. But it was US who faded into obscurity. So who's culture was persecuted? You're welcome btw.
You'd have to pass it on to the Celtic people
Briliant. Thank you for your history lesson..very interesting, I learn alot.
Great video keep it up you're doing amazing things 😁👍
Videos like this is why this channel is so awesome.
"I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries.”😅😅😅
For those who missed it I am referring to time index 7:53
I wonder if the Monty Python group knew about this or was it a happy coincidence!😂
@@arrow1414 Terry Jones had a history degree from Oxford.
My last name, Bradshaw, is derived from old English. However my family’s motto is actually medieval French. It goes something to the effect of “qui vit content, tient assez” meaning “he who lives contentedly, has enough.” It’s interesting to think that a family with Anglo Saxon roots would have a motto in the French language but possibly they interacted with the Normans to a great extent and knew both languages.
Hey, Kings and Generals, I'd like you to make a video about what happened to the peoples that lived in Iberia after they got dominated by the Moors.
They either converted to islam or remained as christian/other religion
Tbh I'd like a video on what happened to the tribes in Iberia after Carthaginian and Roman conquest
Loved this! Amazing video as usual 👏
I've got a Scottish line that turned out to have been Norman, the title was given by William during his Scotland conquests. Meanwhile, another line was from Normandy, France who ended up leaving for Canada becoming part of the Metis.
...so you're the enemy
It's not a brag mate
Scotland and Ireland are shaped by Red headed vikings
@@Alex-zs7gwif you are English you certainly have at least some Norman blood mate, the Normans aren’t any enemy to us today, they are just our forefathers-just like the Saxons who came before
I'm Danish. One of my friends is a distant relative to King Aethelstan 2:50. He once told me that his great aunt has a mansion in England and that she has granted him and his children land. All the relatives have that.
Once his daughter was 10 they sailed to England because she was going to be granted land. In the customs the officer looked at his surname in his passport and said: "Is that your real name?" He said yes of course. She hurried over to her superior and brought him with her.
The chief officer brought my friend and his daughter out of the cue and said "My lord." He said that he should not wait for long and quickly brought a car forward that took my friend and his daughter to London. The chief officer said to my friend's daughter: "My lady." His daughter was blown away by this.🤯
I wish you would do a series on South Asia in particular Sri Lanka and its Anuradhapura civilisation which held for 1500 years and how SL fought off multiple regional and foreign invasions including 2 european powers till 1815!
Agreed, they need to do way more India/South Asia videos in general. I think they have a few about the Delhi Sultanate, but that's pretty much it.
always so well done. thank you so much for all of your great content
The hybrid language myth strikes again. Not a single linguist on earth would say that English is a hybrid language. Most of the changes from Old English to Middle English came from the Danelaw and East Anglia. English grammar is more similar to Norwegian , its sound system remains Germanic and its most common used words are all of Anglo-Saxon or Old Norse origin. German (or Hochdeutch) borrowed grammar from French and underwent the consonant shift, but no one calls German a hybrid.
100% fact, the majority of words the English use in daily life are Germanic and rarely french.
@@eadweardwoden7309 actually, English word origins are about 30% French, 30% German, and 30% Latin. (although as thegoon33 points out, there is other stuff from Norse mixed in with German part, it wasn't just the Saxons, it was the Aengles / Jutes as well). The cover of a UK passport is written in French, not German. I would have thought that the modern form of English qualifies as a hybrid language, although not old or middle English. Especially when you start to look at English slang and colloquial or regional words, and place names, which tend to have a non Germanic origin, and be closer in pronunciation to their non English equivalents than 21st Century formal English.
@@andrewsharpley4984 i never said anything about how much of what language makes up english, i;m talking about the main words we use. the most words used in our daily vocabulary is old english. "about half of the words used today have their roots in Old English."
@@eadweardwoden7309 sure but ''old english'' was a mangle of romance language ( Latin/ French ) and Danish and Saxon already, The north of France ( Brittany) was seen as more or less the same country as Britain for about 400 years after that, and generally i would argue that French marginally edges it in our current English vocabulary over German ( ''the beautiful game'', eh? all words French origin) despite what Wikipedia or Google might tell you as a one sentence misleading quote. We even call 'tea' after the French! And that came from the Chinese and Indians!'
@@andrewsharpley4984 yeah but I'm just saying the majority use Saxon/Germanic words for everyday life talking. you could literally could use only old english words to communicate, you couldn't with the latin, french or any other part of the english langauge today. its called anglish, search it on youtube.
Terrific video! Such a fascinating era in European history.
You've missed out the final Saxon hold out on the Isle of Ely lead by Hereward. William lost hundreds of troups when his wooden causway collapsed in 1071
Enjoyable and informative!
17:18 So this is yet another example of “Rome conquered Greece but Greece conquered Rome”. The demographically and structurally dominant culture still somehow ends up with a W although vanquished on the battle field.
This was brilliant and very interesting and so helpful and thank you very much ❤
Some video ideas
1) The Daco-Thracian world from Early Iron Age to Late Antiquity (origin, language, religion, society and political organisation, relations with Greeks, Scythians, Persians, Celts, Romans and Goths)
2) The Arabic conquest of Sicily
3) Ancient history of Cyprus: From the Hittite Empire and the Greek colonisations to Ptolemaic rule and the Romans
4) Sclaveni and Antes in southern Greece and the Byzantine Reconquista
Amazing video! I've heard about the Norman's burning a byzantine church with Varangians in there, never knew those were majorly saxons.
I would love to learn about the mainland saxons that stayed behind too during this time period
At 8:00 minutes in I realized that this is where Monty Python In Search Of The Holy Grail Got the idea for one of the scenes in the movie. "English pig dogs I fart in your general direction". I nearly fell off my chair. Way too funny. Thanks for reviving the memory of a great movie.
I seen your videos covering bits of Anglo-Saxon England; including Hastings and the Viking Invasions. I hope you'll cover their history as you've done with the Celts and Welsh. As English history before 1066 is not well known or covered as the Medieval era.
@@user-lw2yi6be6wThe English culture...
@@user-lw2yi6be6wonly a portion of it is norman, more than half of English vocabulary is still Germanic and native
@dansouthlondon9873 All Northern Europeans are basically the same...the only distinction genetically is between the Celts and Germanic tribes but even then its small ...Both the Celts and Germanics come from the Japheth bloodline in the Bible...Celts come from Japheth's eldest son Gomer were the first to venture up into Europe
So many people and cultures fought and died for this sceptered isle. My mother's ancestors were Norman French. I have always found the development of England post Rome fascinating, especially the interplay of Normans, Saxons, Jutes, Frisians and Norsemen, not to mention Picts, Caledonian et al. What an amazing history.
Oh, yeah. The Danes. I guess that is where they got Danelaw???????
And now we're just handing it over for free
So that's where the Pythons got the inspiration for the scene in The holy Grail, where John Cleese plays a Frenchman saying: "Your mother was a Hamster and your father smelled of elderberries. I fart in your general direction."
what is the song from 2:15 to 6:28 please? i searded over 1 hour and skipped all Kings and Generals playlist without finding it :( help !
Cnut and the North Sea Empire does deserve its own video at some point 😅
This was an absolutely fantastic video.
Hello, great video. I would like to see something like this for the Romanian/ carpathian region, where lots of cultures pass along the history
Very interesting video! I've been interested in the Saxon/Norman relations issue since watching the 1997 Ivanhoe mini-series.
What No mention of Danelaw, and Cnut almost forgotten
Great video as usual, I look forward to see what others you create about Enlgish history!
Anglo-Saxons 0.00001 seconds after England is conquered by William: *It’s rebellion time*
Good to see more of these videos