Heptarchy

The Heptarchy refers to a period in early medieval England (roughly 7th to 9th centuries) when the region was divided into seven main kingdoms: Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Wessex. These kingdoms operated as independent political entities, often competing for power, land, and influence. Over time, some kingdoms expanded or merged, leading to the eventual unification of England. The term highlights the fragmented political landscape of early England before the emergence of a centralized kingdom.