The Anglo-Saxon Period 410-1066
ySandon sits in the heart of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, just northeast of the ancient capital at Tamworth. At the height of Anglo-Saxon rule, Mercia was one of the most dominant of the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, resulting in a royal palace at Tamworth, a royal church at Repton and a religious centre in Lichfield. This wealth is evidenced through finds such as the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure found, dating back to the 7th century.
While Christianity had arrived in Britain with the Romans, the incoming Anglo-Saxons followed pagan religions, which they mostly kept for the first two hundred years. The last pagan king was Penda, who died in 655. He was succeeded by his son, Wulfhere, the first Christian king of Mercia, who founded a Priory in Stone, a college for Secular Canons c.670. (Dugdale, Monasticon Vl. 226-30)
Mercia lost its status as an independent kingdom at the end of the 9th century and instead was ruled by an Ealdorman (Earl), first on behalf of the overlord, Alfred the Great, and then with varied political status until 1016, when the Kingdom of England was established.
The various Anglo-Saxon Earls of Mercia had some notable impact on history.
Leafine ruled from 950-1028, before being succeeded by his son, Leofric.
Leofric is better known in legend as the greedy, harsh husband of the infamous Lady Godiva. Historians, however, claim he was a strong and respected leader, known for his generosity to the church. He founded monasteries at Coventry and Much Wenlock and was a very powerful leader under King Canute. Leofric died in 1057 at Kings Bromley and was succeeded by his son, Aelfgar.
Aelfgar was father-in-law to two kings. His daughter, Ealdgyth, first married Gruffydd ap Llywelyn of Wales, and then, following his death, King Harold of England.
Aelfgar died in 1062. His son, Edwin, became Earl, but managed to avoid taking part in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon period. He did attempt to lead a rebellion against the new Norman king, William the Conqueror, in 1068, and was finally betrayed by his own retinue and killed in 1071.
Although little is known of the village of Sandon during this time, we do know that it was a Saxon settlement, and an Anglo-Saxon church existed on the current site of All Saints. Faith played a significant role in Anglo-Saxon life, and the church would have been a daily facet of village life, with the priest holding the rank of Thane.
