ABSTRACT
Concurrently with the processes of conquest, settlement and conversion, and in part explaining why conquest took so long to complete, were developments within the society of the invaders. The war bands had developed into tribal kingdoms which took time to consolidate. The more powerful kingdoms absorbed the lesser but were themselves often distracted by internal tensions. The larger kingdoms fought one another in contention for a hegemony which to their rulers was as important as further expansion westwards. Christian Welsh kings allied with pagan Mercian kings in mutual fear of the power of Christian Northumbrians. The military efforts of the conquerors were never exclusively directed towards the subjection of the Britons.
