From the crumbling of Roman rule in the fifth century AD until the triumph of the Normans (themselves descended from Norsemen) in 1066, Britain’s – and especially England’s – history is dominated by two groups: the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. Both originating in northern Europe, the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings arrived in waves of migrants and invaders, battling and making accommodations with both each other and the peoples already inhabiting these islands. They left a profound legacy in our language, our laws, our place names and remarkable artefacts that continue to be discovered today.In this special edition of BBC History Magazine we explore both groups in depth, with articles written by some of the country’s foremost experts. Discover the latest thinking about the ‘Dark Ages’, find out about the Vikings’ fearsome martial prowess and get the lowdown on leading figures of the age such as Alfred the Great and Æthelstan – England’s first king. Plus, we take the story further afield by charting some of the Vikings’ voyaging adventures, including their famed expeditions to America.This special edition is a compendium of some of the best articles on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings to have appeared in BBC History Magazine over recent years. I hope that you find it an enjoyable read. Do also check out our monthly magazine, in which we will continue to analyse this fascinating era.Rob AttarEditor