3 of these regions can be named with reference to early mediaeval kingdoms of the Dark Ages ~

The remaining 4 regions can be named with reference to points of the compass ~

The geographical features that obviously form a natural border or barrier between the regions of England include the following:

• The Pennines separate North-west England from North-east England
• The River Don separates North-east England from Mercia
• The Rivers Nene and Cam separate Mercia from East Anglia
• The (East Anglian) River Stour separates East Anglia from the Essex section of South-east England
• The River Lea separates Mercia from the Essex section of South-east England
• The River Thames separates Mercia from the Surrey and Kent sections of South-east England
• The River Thames separates Mercia from Wessex
• The Cotswolds separate Mercia from South-west England
• The River Axe valley separates South-west England from the Dorset section of Wessex
• The western edge of Salisbury Plain separates South-west England from the Wiltshire section of Wessex
• The western areas of the North and South Downs separate the Hampshire section of Wessex from South-east England

Wild England teasers!    

1. Which one of the following 3 early mediaeval kingdoms of the Dark Ages was considered to be the wealthiest ~ East Anglia, Mercia or Wessex?

2. Which early mediaeval kingdom of the Dark Ages was associated with Alfred the Great?

3. Name the 4 traditional counties that lie within England’s historical region of East Anglia? Answers below

Answers ~

1. Mercia was regarded as the wealthiest kingdom (ref. Staffordshire Hoard)

2. Wessex (ref. Statue of Alfred the Great in Winchester)

3. Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk