This century, like the previous one, was characterised by widespread political and social instablity throughout Europe.

The kingdoms and principalities of France, Britain, Spain, Germany and Italy experienced severe internal and external pressures. The Vikings from the Scandinavian north conquered great parts of Ireland and Britain.

We are now moving into the Dark Ages - an epoch known by this name because few original works were created and few written records remain.

The name Dark Ages also applies to the Church which went through a stage of slowly establishing new bishoprics. Monasteries became the nuclei for ecclesiastical study and for evangelising rural areas.

Anglo-Saxon woman

costume reconstructed by Fasion Era