Pecsaetan facts for kids
The Pecsætan were an Anglo-Saxon group of people. Their name means 'Peak-dwellers'. You might also hear them called Peaklanders or Peakrills today. They lived in the central and northern parts of the Peak District in England.
Who Were the Pecsætan?
The Pecsætan were a tribe, or a group of people, who lived in a specific area. They were part of the larger Anglo-Saxon community that settled in England a long time ago. Their name, Pecsætan, comes from the old English words for 'Peak' and 'settlers' or 'dwellers'.
Where Did They Live?
The Pecsætan lived in the beautiful and hilly region known as the Peak District. This area is in the middle of England. Before the Anglo-Saxons arrived, this land was part of a larger region called Brigantia. Brigantia was home to a different group of people called the Brythons.
Early Anglo-Saxon settlers in the Peak District were from a group called the West Angles. These Angles moved north, following the valleys of rivers like the Derwent and Dove. This happened during their conquests in the 6th century. As they settled, the area became known as the land of the Peak peoples, or Pecsætan.
Their Place in Mercia
Over time, the Pecsætan's territory became the northern part of a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom called Mercia. Mercia was one of the most important kingdoms in England during that period.
Important meetings of Mercian leaders often took place in different locations. For example, in the year 848, a group called the Mercian Witenagemot met at a place called Repton. The Witenagemot was a council of wise men and nobles who advised the king.
The "Peakrills" Today
Much later, in the 18th century, a writer named Daniel Defoe wrote about people he called "The Peakrills." He described them in his book, A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain.
Defoe said these "Peakrills" were tough and brave. They were very good at digging deep into the earth. Because of this skill, they were sometimes hired by engineers during wars. They would help dig tunnels, called 'saps', to get closer to enemy forts during a siege. This shows that the people from the Peak District were known for their strength and determination.
