Section 1. Brief History of London: Saxon and Vicking London

Later in the 5th century, Anglo-Saxons settled just west of Londinium. It consisted of many wooden huts with thatched roofs.

In 842 Danish Vickings looted London and a few years later they returned to burn a large part of the town. In 1016 they tried to do it again, but they were fought off by the Saxons.

London Bridge is falling down,
falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

This nursery rhyme probably records an attack against London by the Vicking Olaf of Norway at the beginning of the 11th century. He was unable to sail up the Thames past London Bridge, which was made of wood at the time. Olaf and his men tied ropes to it, but when they rowed away, London Bridge collapsed.

Christianity grew stronger in Anglo-Saxon Britain. In 604 AD a cathedral was founded in London and named after the apostle, Saint Paul. There is still a cathedral on the site.

In 1042 Edward the Confessor became king of both the Vickings and Saxons.

You can find information and remains of the time at:

- The Museum of London
- The British Museum

Can you upload a picture of a thatched-roof cottage nowadays? Can you find a listening or a video with the nursery rhyme?