Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy Map – Early Medieval Britain before the Viking Age

Note: This is an earlier edition of the Heptarchy map. A revised and more historically refined version is also available.

Hand-painted and researched map of Britain and Ireland during the early Anglo-Saxon period, depicting the political landscape traditionally known as the Heptarchy.

The map illustrates the seven major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms—Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Wessex—alongside contemporary polities in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Rather than presenting a unified “England,” the composition emphasizes the fragmented and competitive nature of early medieval sovereignty in the eighth century, on the eve of intensified Scandinavian incursions.

Toponyms are rendered in Old English to approximate early medieval linguistic usage. While the script style reflects later medieval manuscript forms, the language itself corresponds to the Anglo-Saxon vernacular. The political geography highlights shifting borders and regional hegemonies, particularly Mercian and Northumbrian dominance prior to the consolidation of Wessex.

This map situates Anglo-Saxon Britain within the broader North Sea world at the threshold of the Viking Age, capturing a landscape of competing kingdoms before the transformative pressures of Scandinavian settlement.

High-quality giclée print available in multiple sizes. The printed version preserves greater clarity and detail than compressed online images.

This map was researched and hand-painted by a trained historical cartographer with academic experience in European and global history. Each CartographyCraft map is designed to prioritize historical accuracy, visual clarity, and period-appropriate aesthetics over modern anachronism. If you are interested in a print with a frame or the original, contact the site owner directly.