England in the Early Middle Ages was rich enough to attract Vikings both to plunder and settle, and Normans to conquer it.
In the High Middle Ages, it was capable of maintaining pretty expensive wars on the continent without going bankrupt.
The UK as a whole exists only since 1707, and by that time, it was already a major power. Did it have a numerous poor population? Yes, much like the US now does. But that is not the same as being a poor country in the sense that Somalia or Timor Leste are.
In the High Middle Ages, it was capable of maintaining pretty expensive wars on the continent without going bankrupt.
The UK as a whole exists only since 1707, and by that time, it was already a major power. Did it have a numerous poor population? Yes, much like the US now does. But that is not the same as being a poor country in the sense that Somalia or Timor Leste are.