The Saxons originally inhabited Holstein but spread over time to Brunswick, Hanover and
Westphalia.
They conquered Sussex in 491 AD led by Aelle and Cissa (after whom Chichester is named).
They captured Anderida - '
nor was one Briten left there afterwards'
and established the Sussex as the kingodm of the South Saxons. It is
not known whether the Saxon invasion of Britian was this bloody throughout with the
anihilation of the Britons, or whether the capture of Anderida is thus recorded
because of its uniqueness.
In about 530 AD, Cerdic gained control of the Isle of Wight (he might have collaborated
in the Jute conquest of the Island in 530 before gaining its possession).
In 552 Cynric led the West Saxons to victory at the battle of Old Sarum (Salisbury) and
conquered Wiltshire, later he again led them to victory at Barbury in North Wiltshire and
conquered Berkshire.
In 568 the Kingdom of Wessex
expanded eastwards as the West Saxons under Ceawlin
defeated the Jutes at Wimbledon and conquered Surrey. Later Ceawlin was to conquer
Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.
The Kingdom of Wessex
was greatly strengthened by Ceawlin's victory at Deorham near
Bath whereby the West Saxons not only gained much of Gloucestershire and
Somersetshire but, by so doing, divided the Britons of Wales from the
'West Welsh' of Devon and Cornwall.
Although Ceawlin was defeated by the Britons at
'Feathanlea' (the location
corresponding to the name is unknown) in 584, the Kingdom of
Wessex was firmly
established.
see also; SAXON BRITAIN
