PAGE 9 EX. 1

The Middle Ages in Europe begin with the end of the classical cultures of Rome and Greece and end with the beginning of the Renaissance.

The main features shared by many European countries in the Middle Ages were the expansion of Christianity and the predominance of feudalism as a social system.

Invasion were a factor of change because they started settlements that gave origin to new cities.

The Crusades and voyages opened new routes to trade and to the discovery of new lands.

Mediaeval society was mainly closed but towns started to grow along trade routes, while some city-dwellers became part of the new class in society.

PAGE 9 EX. 2

The early Middle Ages in Britain started with the Viking invasions. FALSE

Anglo-Saxon England was always divided into seven kingdoms. TRUE

The spread of Christianity in Britain began in the 6^th century. TRUE

The Danes, of Viking origin, founded a kingdom in East Anglia. TRUE

Alfred the Great and King Cnut were both of Anglo-Saxon descendent. FALSE

The battle of Hasting was fought between Anglo-Saxons and Normans. TRUE

PAGE 9 EX. 3

Anglo-Saxons were a Germanic tribes that invaded Britain in 5^th and 6^th centuries. Their society was ruled by a chief or king and the other people were divided in "earls" (nobles by birth), "thegns" who were the personal companions of the king,, and freemen (the lowest social class). People lived in county villages where the farmland, woods, pastures and meadows were owned communally.

The Anglo-Saxons had their own religion, a code of values based on fidelity to their chiefs, peculiar fishing and farming methods. In the 8^th and 9^th centuries they began to form larger communities called "boroughs". These communities first were military bases but later they became centres of trade. This was the early origin of Winchester, York, Norwich, Southampton and London.

The Anglo-Saxons spoke Old-English and their culture was based on oral tradition.

Christianity proved a driving force in uniting the Kingdom and in opening the country to the influence of Europe. It influenced also the culture with the introduction of written tradition.