Latest news with #Angles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists perplexed to find West African ancestry in early medieval England
DNA recovered from skeletons buried in a 7th-century cemetery on the south coast of England reveals the buried individuals had West African ancestry, raising further questions about early medieval migrations to Europe. Archaeologists documented significant migration during this period into England from continental northern Europe, with historical accounts describing the settlement of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. However, the extent of movement from further afield has remained unclear. To further understand early medieval migration in Europe, researchers performed DNA analysis on individuals buried at two 7th-century AD cemeteries on England's south coast – Updown in Kent and Worth Matravers in Dorset. The findings, published in two studies in the journal Antiquity, show clear signs of non-European ancestry of two buried individuals with affinity to present-day groups living in sub-Saharan West Africa. While most of the individuals buried at the cemeteries had either northern European or western British and Irish ancestry, one person at each cemetery had a recent ancestor from West Africa, scientists said. "Kent has always been a conduit for influence from the adjacent continent, and this was particularly marked in the 6th century – what might be termed Kent's 'Frankish Phase,'' said Duncan Sayer, an author of one of the studies from the University of Lancashire. "Updown is also located near the royal centre of Finglesham, indicating that these connections were part of a wider royal network,' Dr Sayer said. In contrast, Dorset was on the fringes of continental influence, researchers say. "The archaeological evidence suggests a marked and notable cultural divide between Dorset and areas to the west, and the Anglo-Saxon-influenced areas to the east,' said Ceiridwen J Edwards, one of the authors of the other study, from the University of Huddersfield. The individuals showed clear signs of non-European ancestry with affinity to present-day Yoruba, Mende, Mandenka, and Esan groups from sub-Saharan West Africa, the study noted. Further DNA analysis revealed they had mixed descent, with both having one paternal grandparent from West Africa. The Updown grave was found to contain several goods, including a pot likely imported from Frankish Gaul, and a spoon hinting at the individual's Christian faith or connections to the Byzantine Empire. This cemetery was part of Kent's royal network, and these grave goods and genetic indicators point to the region's continental connections, the study noted. The other individual at the Worth Matravers grave site was buried alongside a male with British ancestry and an anchor made of local limestone. The fact that the individuals were buried along with typical members of their communities indicates that they were valued locally, archaeologists noted. "What is fascinating about these two individuals is that this international connection is found in both the east and west of Britain,' said Dr Sayer. 'Updown is right in the centre of the early Anglo-Saxon cultural zone and Worth Matravers, by contrast, is just outside its periphery in the sub-Roman west,' he explained. The findings, according to researchers, raise further questions about long-distance movement and demographic interaction in Britain during the Early Middle Ages. "Our joint results emphasise the cosmopolitan nature of England in the early medieval period, pointing to a diverse population with far-flung connections who were, nonetheless, fully integrated into the fabric of daily life,' Dr Edwards concluded.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Archaeologists perplexed to find West African ancestry in early medieval England
DNA recovered from skeletons buried in a 7th-century cemetery on the south coast of England reveals the buried individuals had West African ancestry, raising further questions about early medieval migrations to Europe. Archaeologists documented significant migration during this period into England from continental northern Europe, with historical accounts describing the settlement of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. However, the extent of movement from further afield has remained unclear. To further understand early medieval migration in Europe, researchers performed DNA analysis on individuals buried at two 7th-century AD cemeteries on England's south coast – Updown in Kent and Worth Matravers in Dorset. The findings, published in two studies in the journal Antiquity, show clear signs of non-European ancestry of two buried individuals with affinity to present-day groups living in sub-Saharan West Africa. While most of the individuals buried at the cemeteries had either northern European or western British and Irish ancestry, one person at each cemetery had a recent ancestor from West Africa, scientists said. "Kent has always been a conduit for influence from the adjacent continent, and this was particularly marked in the 6th century – what might be termed Kent's 'Frankish Phase,'' said Duncan Sayer, an author of one of the studies from the University of Lancashire. "Updown is also located near the royal centre of Finglesham, indicating that these connections were part of a wider royal network,' Dr Sayer said. In contrast, Dorset was on the fringes of continental influence, researchers say. "The archaeological evidence suggests a marked and notable cultural divide between Dorset and areas to the west, and the Anglo-Saxon -influenced areas to the east,' said Ceiridwen J Edwards, one of the authors of the other study, from the University of Huddersfield. The individuals showed clear signs of non-European ancestry with affinity to present-day Yoruba, Mende, Mandenka, and Esan groups from sub-Saharan West Africa, the study noted. Further DNA analysis revealed they had mixed descent, with both having one paternal grandparent from West Africa. The Updown grave was found to contain several goods, including a pot likely imported from Frankish Gaul, and a spoon hinting at the individual's Christian faith or connections to the Byzantine Empire. This cemetery was part of Kent's royal network, and these grave goods and genetic indicators point to the region's continental connections, the study noted. The other individual at the Worth Matravers grave site was buried alongside a male with British ancestry and an anchor made of local limestone. The fact that the individuals were buried along with typical members of their communities indicates that they were valued locally, archaeologists noted. "What is fascinating about these two individuals is that this international connection is found in both the east and west of Britain,' said Dr Sayer. 'Updown is right in the centre of the early Anglo-Saxon cultural zone and Worth Matravers, by contrast, is just outside its periphery in the sub-Roman west,' he explained. The findings, according to researchers, raise further questions about long-distance movement and demographic interaction in Britain during the Early Middle Ages. "Our joint results emphasise the cosmopolitan nature of England in the early medieval period, pointing to a diverse population with far-flung connections who were, nonetheless, fully integrated into the fabric of daily life,' Dr Edwards concluded.
National Geographic
29-07-2025
- General
- National Geographic
Who was the first king of England?
A portrait of Aethelstan, who was King of England from 924 until 939 A.D, in a book commissioned for presentation to the community of St. Cuthbert. The famous presentation picture shows Æthelstan, with bowed head, presenting the book to St. Cuthbert himself, and is an important example of the revival of figure art in manuscript painting during Æthelstan's reign. It was written between 934 and 939. Although Aethelstan is generally agreed to be England's first true king, a number of other figures—and factors—make that designation complicated and historically rich. Image by CBW, Alamy Stock Photo Scholarly consensus positions Aethelstan as the first true king of England. But what makes a king? Is it authority over people? Over land? Is it some combination of the two? These are some of the key questions in assessing when and why any monarchy develops. At the same time, these same questions often serve to complicate the identification of the first king of any realm. We need not look further than England to understand why. Aethelstan was crowned King of the Anglo-Saxons in 925 A.D. However, understanding the other contenders for that title—and the history of the disparate kingdoms that became England—adds layers of complexity to answering the deceptively simple question: who was the first king of England? To really begin to locate the first king of England, one must start with the Angles. The name England, after all, derives from the Old English word Englaland, literally 'land of the Angles.' The arrival of these Germanic tribes to what was formerly the Roman province Britannia took place during the 5th century A.D. Alongside Jutes, Saxons, and Frisians, the Angles established settlements in southeast and east England through the 6th century. (A journey along Hadrian's Wall can be like taking a walk through Roman-era Britannia.) With time, Germanic language and culture melded with existing Romano-British practices and traditions. By 600 A.D., individual kingdoms took shape throughout the British Isles. These Germanic kingdoms were formed in accordance with peoples living in an area, as opposed to physical boundaries or borders. In time, smaller kingdoms coalesced to become larger ones, and what's been called the Heptarchy emerged. While the Heptarchy is a vast oversimplification of a complex social, political, and religious setting in England, it was built of seven kingdoms: Kent, Sussex, East Anglia, Northumbria, Essex, Wessex, and Mercia. Each major kingdom included minor kingdoms with leaders of their own, many of whom vied for power within the larger sphere of influence. Rule was established and maintained through reciprocal relationships based in loyalty and protection, as well as an economic system contingent upon coordinated dues and services. According to lore, King Aethelstan ordered the Bible to be translated into the Anglo-Saxon language, the decree of which is depicted here circa 930. The History of England by George Courtney Lyttleton, 1805. Image by Hulton Archive, Getty Images Contenders for the king of England Major kingdoms in England competed for superiority among themselves, eventually resulting in a struggle that revolved around Mercia dominating the other kingdoms through much of the 8th century. This resembled what Bede described in his Ecclesiastical History—completed in 731 A.D.—as a ruler who 'held sway' over peoples outside his own kingdom. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history of the Anglo-Saxons created in the 9th century, used the term bretwalda to represent this concept, applying it retroactively to Anglo-Saxon kings who ruled as early as the late 5th century. (The Sutton Hoo cache is a time capsule of 7th-century Anglo-Saxon life.) Mercia's hegemony shifted during the reign of King Eghbert of Wessex (r. 802-839 A.D.). Under King Eghbert, Wessex defeated the Mercians at the battle of Ellendon in 825 A.D., after which the major kingdoms acknowledged his supremacy. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle identified King Eghbert as a bretwalda (again with the gift of hindsight), which serves as the crux of his candidacy for first king of England. One additional factor influenced King Eghbert's contention for the distinction as England's first king. Where Mercia had struggled with the idea of peaceful succession, Wessex succeeded. After Eghbert's death, his son, Aethelwulf (d. 850 A.D.) ascended to the throne. A son ascending to the throne upon his father's death infused the principle of hereditary succession in Wessex. Following King Aethelwulf's death, three of his sons served as King of Wessex, ultimately leading to the accession of a fourth in 871 A.D. This was Alfred, another considered contender for the first King of England. (Here's what life in medieval Europe was really like) Alfred, the unlikely king Alfred was never supposed to rule Wessex. When his older brother Aethelred died while campaigning against Scandinavian marauders, Alfred became king. As King of Wessex, Alfred continued defending his kingdom from what the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle termed the 'Great Heathen Army.' Comprising Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes, the Great Heathen Army first arrived in East Anglia in 865 A.D. and, within a decade, the only kingdom they left standing was Wessex. After defeating Scandinavian forces at the Battle of Edington in 878 A.D., Alfred entered into a peace agreement with their leader, Guthrum, formally establishing a boundary between Wessex and the Viking-controlled areas. The latter came to be known as the Danelaw. (Viking myths can be exciting, but are they always true?) However, this permanent Scandinavian presence to the north, as well as continued Viking raids and incursions, prompted Alfred to take steps to secure the kingdom. He reformed the military, established defensive settlements called burhs, and established a navy to defend the coasts of Wessex from attacks. Alongside these efforts, Alfred undertook intellectual activities that have been credited with helping to create the cultural and political identity of England. All of this—and the designation of Alfred as 'King of the Anglo-Saxons' in charters attributed to him—make a solid case for his candidacy for the first king of England. (Britain's first Black queen? The real story of Queen Charlotte.) In this illuminated manuscript from the 14th century, Aethelstan kneels before the legendary English hero Guy of Warwick. Illustration by Peter of Langtoft, Alamy Stock Photo Aethelstan, the first king of England Alfred died in 899 A.D. and his son, Edward the Elder, took the throne. Edward died in 924 and, after his demise, his son Aethelstan was crowned king in 925 A.D. Just like his grandfather Alfred the Great and father, Aethelstan began as King of the Anglo-Saxons. He differed in the extent of his domain, notably after the Battle of Brunaburh in 937 A.D. Aethelstan's authority was never uncontested and, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he spent the decade after he became king bringing York and Northumbria under his control. By 937, Welsh kings, as well as those of the Scots and Viking Dublin, united against Aethelstan, ultimately facing off against their common foe at Brunanburh. The exact location of Brunanburh remains unclear, but the fight that took place there is considered by many scholars to be one of the defining events in British history. (England was born on this battlefield. Why can't historians find it?) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle includes a poem about the Battle of Brunanburh that details how West Saxons slaughtered their enemies, with five opposing kings and seven defiant earls laying dead. The poem explains how 'no slaughter yet was greater made e'er in this island,' an expression of how devastating yet significant the conflict was to the people and land alike. 'Despite the arguments in favor of [other contenders], the weight of the evidence rests with Aethelstan. It was Aethelstan who went to York, defeated the Viking kingdom there, and brought the north (if sometimes only nominally) under English rule,' summarizes Karl Shoemaker, Robert F. and Sylvia T. Wagner Distinguished Professor, UW-Madison History and Law. 'By the end of his reign, he had achieved more bureaucratic and administrative centralization than any of his predecessors.' It was Aethelstan's victory at Brunanburh that extended the King of the Anglo-Saxons' dominion into Scotland and Wales. It also solidified his rule as king of the English. Aethelstan only lived for two years after this fight but, to many, he became the true first king of England with that victory. This story originally published on May 2, 2023. It was updated on July 29, 2025.
Toronto Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
How Blue Jays fans are getting screwed by Apple TV at the most exciting time in close to a decade
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Friday's Blue Jays game against the Angles is on Apple TV. Photo by Tony Avelar / The Associated Press It has been without dispute one of the most successful and energetic stretches of Blue Jays baseball in the past nine seasons, re-awakening the passion of tens of thousands of fans of the team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Coast-to-coast, viewers have been captivated by the team's four-game winning streak — including three in a row over the New York Yankees heading into Thursday's series finale — a run that has given them a share of first place in the American League East with the Bronx Bombers. There is still an afterglow from Tuesday's brilliant Canada Day show that not only resulted in a resounding 12-5 win over the Yankees, but featured the piece de resistance renaissance of George Springer, who hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in seven. So what better way to welcome the first true weekend of summer by tuning in to Friday night's first of three against the Los Angeles Angeles, right? Surely Sportsnet, the home of the majority of Jays broadcasts is reading to feast on one of its highest ratings of the year, right? Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nope. You guess it, Friday is the Jays first intrusion of Apple TV of the second half of the season, a blight that Toronto fans tend to take harder than other markets around the league. This will be the Jays third appearance on Apple TV, a semi-regular annoyance for not only the Jays fan base — which blessed with a coast-to-coast audience draws significantly bigger audiences than every team in baseball for its regular telecasts — but for Sportsnet itself. Remember Rogers Communications owns both the Jays and the network, a synergy that is an ideal mix for both parties as the baseball team regularly draws more than a million viewers. With the team taking a 48-38 record into Thursday's against the Yankees, they've suddenly renewed the optimism that dominated in the summer of 2015 and 2016 when the team was such a hot commodity. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's the second occasion this season that the Apple TV show will roll into town at a terrible time for Sportsnet. The first was just three games into the season and denied the network of its first prime time telecast of the season. It's not a stretch to suggest that Friday's contest against the Angels would be one of the most anticipated of the season, given the weekend slot and the events of the last week and more. Remember that once we move through July 1, Canada becomes a captivated nation of baseball fans. The Stanley Cup has been awarded, NHL's free agent frenzy season is mostly in the past and it's baseball time. Even when the Jays are struggling, they still draw well. As last year's season was falling off of the rails about now, Sportsnet still regularly attracted audiences north of 600,000, a huge cash cow for the network. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But with a first-place team surging in popularity and once again scoring runs to make the television that much more enjoyable to watch? Friday is a rough one, timing wise. The Jays aren't alone in appearing on the Apple schedule, a reality mandated by a separate national deal negotiate by Major League Baseball that gives the streaming service exclusivity. They don't have to like it either, but given Apple is an official partner of MLB the team nor Sportsnet are discouraged from disparaging the concept publicly or face reprimand from none other than MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. As noted in a previous column, the upside for Apple TV is the prospect of landing thousands of new subscriptions from disgruntled fans who don't want to miss out on the action. A source familiar with the business aspect of the deal has told Airwaves that for Apple TV, Toronto and its national audience is one of the strongest markets in terms of adding new subscribers. Yes, there is a baseball hungry sucker born every summer long weekend, it seems. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Add to the fact that Friday falls on the start of a U.S. long weekend — where viewers might be looking to do other things and, well, apparently the Blue Jays looked that much more attractive. There may be a winner in this for Apple, but definitely not for the Jays, their fans and their broadcast network that we can bet is quietly fuming about the latest interruption of their regularly scheduled programming. Hey, there's always the Argos game. 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Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
High-end cars, followers & a murder; Nolta, Pilani lived on fast lane
Panchkula: Sonu Nolta, the national Kabaddi player shot dead in a case of targeted killing and the accused shooter, Piyush Piplani, had a significant following among local youth. They were operating from the small town of Pinjore and were known for their flashy lifestyles. They often flaunted high-end cars and modified jeeps on social media. Their online presence was characterised by styled moustaches, gym-toned physiques, and a train of young followers. According to the police, both individuals were heavily influenced by notorious gangsters like Bhupi Rana and Lawrence Bishnoi, even modelling aspects of their lifestyles after them. Piyush, whose Instagram account tagline reads, "Badnam hai, Gumnam nhi," has around 17,000 followers. He has also been seen getting photographed with local politicians. His reels and posts featured him in different jeeps and cars, with a gang of young men in tow. His grandfather's brother used to be a sarpanch back in the day. Presently, he ran a footwear shop. His father had passed away. "Though he has criminal cases, I thought he had mended his ways. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo However, this brutal murder has come as a shock. I do not know what he was thinking," said a man who knows him closely. Nolta also had a large fan following, with over 6,000 followers on Instagram. He loved flaunting his tattoos, followers and personal vehicles. His pictures have messages of "RIP," "miss u bro," "legend never dies," and heart emojis, reflecting his following among youth. "Nolta comes from a Rajput family from the Raitan belt in Morni. He is a local lad who made good money in business, so he earned a good following among the younger generation there. He shifted to Tipra, where he was running a good outlet on the highway and staying alone in another location in Tipra. Sonu has a criminal past, but he never used to trouble innocent people," said the man known to him closely. A local known to them told TOI that they were not big gangsters or criminals. Fifteen to 20 men were close to them. They often had spats but no one expected a murder. Also, there is no solid reason for a murder. Earlier, they used to work together. A senior police officer told TOI, "It is a matter of concern even for us that despite being involved in various criminal activities, they have a big following among youths. So it is sensitive for a place like Pinjore." Angles being probed: Police are working on several theories, including personal rivalry, a business deal gone wrong, a conflicting love interest etc. Police sources said that Piplani was allegedly working for a local politician involved in mining, while the victim was also allegedly involved in mining. They said that this may have been a factor. Police said that the Nexon car recovered from outside PGI belonged to Ishan, who was a friend of Nolta, which has complicated the case further. Since the car has bloodstains, police assume that the shooter may have injured himself during the attack, which may also have been preceded by a fight. Meanwhile, shocked by the incident, local advocate Deepanshu Bansal has appealed to the police to ensure safety of residents. Sonu and his friend Prince were coming out of a mall after watching a film when unknown assailants fired at least 12 rounds. Six bullets hit Sonu. One of the bullets lodged in his spine. Prince also suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, and is under treatment at PGI. Piplani took responsibility of the murder online. MSID:: 121708690 413 |
