The fifth to eleventh centuries were some of the most turbulent of British history. As Rome released it's control of Britain in the fifth century so the island fragmented into smaller and frequently changing states. Without Roman protection Britain was vulnerable and was soon invaded and ruled by German speaking tribes.

The name 'Anglo-Saxon' refers to Germanic settlers from many tribes: Jutes who came from Jutland, Saxons from northern Germany, Angles from southern Denmark, Frisians from the Low Countries, Geats from Gotland and south-east Sweden, Franks from northern France and central Germany, Swedes, Norwegians, and many others.