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After the Romans left, the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes came from northern Europe and settled in Britain. England gets its name from the Angles. They established kingdoms across England and spoke Anglo-Saxon (Old English), the basis of modern English.
From the end of the 8th century, Vikings came from Denmark and Norway to raid Britain. They settled in parts of Britain and Ireland. King Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings and united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
The last successful invasion of Britain occurred in 1066 when William, Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror), defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. This is commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry. William became King of England and built the Tower of London and many castles. The Domesday Book, a survey of all towns and villages in England, was commissioned by William.
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