The Anglo-Saxon era consists of three different time periods: the early Anglo-Saxon era, which spans the mid-fifth to the beginning of the seventh century; the middle Anglo-Saxon era, which covers the seventh thru the ninth centuries; and the late Anglo-Saxon era, which includes the tenth and eleventh centuries. The Early Medieval period for pottery in Britain begins in 1066, from the Norman Conquest, and ends at the close of the 12th century.