Important People of the Anglo-Saxon Period and What They Did

1. King Alfred the Great (849-899)

   • He is famous for protecting England from Viking attacks.
   • He created a system of safe towns called "burhs."
   • He cared a lot about education and reading, and he helped start the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a record of history.

2. Ethelred the Unready (966-1016)

   • His time as king was troubled by Viking raids and battles.
   • He is known for his poor tax decisions that were meant to pay off the invaders.
   • His nickname, "Unready," comes from an old word that meant he wasn’t well-prepared.

3. Cnut the Great (995-1035)

   • He was the king of England, Denmark, and Norway, ruling over several places.
   • He was good at keeping things organized; he made sure laws were followed.
   • His time as king (1016-1035) brought calm and peace to England.

4. Harold Godwinson (c. 1022-1066)

   • He was the last king of the Anglo-Saxons, and he lost in the Battle of Hastings.
   • Before facing the invasion by William the Conqueror, he worked on improving land ownership and made the kingdom stronger.

These leaders played big roles in shaping the government, military, and culture of England before the Norman Conquest.