Map from Lycos @ 1:25,000

The approximate region which forms modern Somerset was the border between the Celtic Welsh and the Saxons in the 6th century and the Saxons pushed gradually westwards.

By 658, the Saxons controlled the area as far as the river Parrett but the struggle between the rival kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia led to the organisation of the area to the east of the river as part of Wessex.

The Anglo-Saxons first invaded eastern England in the 5th century but it was not until AD 658 that they conquered as far westwards as Somerset.

It was at about this time that Ine, King of Wessex who completed the conquest of West Somerset, restored the monastery at Glastonbury.

THE CHURCH IN WESSEX As part of the Kingdom of Wessex, 7th-century Somerset was included in the diocese of Winchester. When disputes developed between the Chapters of Bath and Wells over the election of the bishop, a compromise was arrived at in 1245 whereby the chapters took part in the election jointly and the see became known as the bishopric of Bath and Wells. Ine founded the see of Sherborne in 705, creating his kinsman St Aldhelm as its first bishop. Somerset was wholly in the diocese of Sherborne until 909 when it was divided into the dioceses of Exeter, Sarum and Wells - Somerset being included in the last. The diocese of Wells was divided into three archdeaconries.

Alfred the Great's victory on the field of battle in 878 was followed by the Peace of Wedmore which brought a lull in the struggle between Saxons and Danes. A century after Wedmore, West Somerset was again subject to frequent Danish raiding.