Sandwich Kent England UK: History Timeline - Saxons & Vikings

First recorded mention of Sandwich town. Wilfred, Bishop of Northumberland, landed at Sandwich Haven - now a Saxon stronghold.

Today no Saxon buildings remain because of the many Danish and French raids. Strand Street gets its name from the Saxon 'Stronde'. The Saxon pattern of the roads from Strand Street can still be seen - they run South Westerly and are 10 feet wide. This allowed the ox carts from the Quay to drive on to drier land towards the Deal Road.

The Danes pillaged Sandwich and Canterbury but were defeated by Athelstan the King (or Governor of Kent).

King Ethelred gave Sandwich to the monks of Christchurch.

Many invasions and battles with the Vikings, ending in the Dane, Knut (Canute) being crowned the King of England.

Edward the Confessor was King. He occcasionally lived in a house near Sandwich, no doubt when business brought him to the coast. The Confederation of the Cinque Ports was founded around this time. (See the Cinque Port section of web site for more information).