Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons

Presentation by Rebecca Presentation by Rebecca Patrick and Tara MacTaggartPatrick and Tara MacTaggart

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

► Ruled for six centuries: approximately 450 to 1066.Ruled for six centuries: approximately 450 to 1066.► Little is known about the first settlers.Little is known about the first settlers.► People from different areas (the Angles, the Saxons, People from different areas (the Angles, the Saxons,

and the Jutes) most likely thought of themselves as and the Jutes) most likely thought of themselves as different, but just sharing a language and having different, but just sharing a language and having similar customs.similar customs.

► Different areas were divided into “shires”. Though Different areas were divided into “shires”. Though they were all administered differently, they all had they were all administered differently, they all had specific people in charge of justice and tax specific people in charge of justice and tax collection.collection.

► The order of social classes were the King, upper The order of social classes were the King, upper class thanes, lower class ceorls, and slaves at the class thanes, lower class ceorls, and slaves at the bottom.bottom.

The Rise of their EmpireThe Rise of their Empire

► Britain had been ruled by the Romans for Britain had been ruled by the Romans for approximately 400 years, but problems in approximately 400 years, but problems in Rome caused the Romans to go back to Rome caused the Romans to go back to modern Italy.modern Italy.

► This gave the Anglo-Saxons the ability to go This gave the Anglo-Saxons the ability to go to modern day England and take over, as the to modern day England and take over, as the British had relied on the Romans for military.British had relied on the Romans for military.

► It is not known why the Anglo-Saxons went It is not known why the Anglo-Saxons went to Britain, but it is thought to be because to Britain, but it is thought to be because there was lots of natural resources and good there was lots of natural resources and good soil in England at the time.soil in England at the time.

Farming and FoodFarming and Food

►Many people in the countryside were Many people in the countryside were farmers. Ceorls worked together on farms farmers. Ceorls worked together on farms and shared the end product. Ceorls worked and shared the end product. Ceorls worked the land for money.the land for money.

► Common crops grown were wheat, oats, and Common crops grown were wheat, oats, and lentils.lentils.

► The only available sweetener at the time The only available sweetener at the time was honey, there was no sugar.was honey, there was no sugar.

►Oxen and horses were used for heavy labour Oxen and horses were used for heavy labour on farms as well as for transportation.on farms as well as for transportation.

LeisureLeisure

► Travelling was used for trade and also for Travelling was used for trade and also for fun. However, if you weren’t recognized you fun. However, if you weren’t recognized you were thought to be an outsider and could be were thought to be an outsider and could be killed.killed.

►Games they enjoyed included chess and Games they enjoyed included chess and various games with dice. Riddles were also various games with dice. Riddles were also popular, along with horse racing.popular, along with horse racing.

► Entertainers were jugglers, who juggles Entertainers were jugglers, who juggles knives or balls, and musicians, who played knives or balls, and musicians, who played the harp.the harp.

Anglo-Saxon RiddleAnglo-Saxon Riddle

Ic on wincle gefrægn weaxan nathwætIc on wincle gefrægn weaxan nathwætþindan ond þunian þecene hebbanþindan ond þunian þecene hebbanon þæt banlease bryd grapodeon þæt banlease bryd grapodehygewlonc hondum hrægle theahtehygewlonc hondum hrægle theahteþrindende þing þeodnes dohtor. þrindende þing þeodnes dohtor. ------------TranslationTranslation------------I have learned that something grows in the corner,I have learned that something grows in the corner,swells and expands, has a covering;swells and expands, has a covering;on that boneless thing a woman graspson that boneless thing a woman graspsaround with hands, with a garmentaround with hands, with a garmentthe lord's daughter covered the swollen thing.the lord's daughter covered the swollen thing.

ClothingClothing

►Men wore tunics or robes and shoes.Men wore tunics or robes and shoes.►Women wore dresses or long robes Women wore dresses or long robes

and shoes.and shoes.►Coloured material was more Coloured material was more

expensive, so most clothes were not expensive, so most clothes were not coloured.coloured.

Women and SlaveryWomen and Slavery► Women were not considered to be equal to men.Women were not considered to be equal to men.► They were expected to do everything that their husbands They were expected to do everything that their husbands

wanted them to.wanted them to.► Rich women wore lots of jewellery.Rich women wore lots of jewellery.► Slaves were buried with their masters or mistresses. A tomb Slaves were buried with their masters or mistresses. A tomb

of an Anglo-Saxon woman was found with her brutally killed of an Anglo-Saxon woman was found with her brutally killed slave’s body on top of her coffin, to serve her in the afterlife.slave’s body on top of her coffin, to serve her in the afterlife.

► You could become a slave by being a prisoner of war, not You could become a slave by being a prisoner of war, not having enough money to pay a fine, being sold into slavery by having enough money to pay a fine, being sold into slavery by your family, or being born a slave.your family, or being born a slave.

► To no longer be a slave you had to be given freedom by your To no longer be a slave you had to be given freedom by your owner or pay of a debt if it was the reason you had become a owner or pay of a debt if it was the reason you had become a slave.slave.

Photos of Anglo-Saxon Photos of Anglo-Saxon JewelryJewelry

ReligionReligion► Were Were PagansPagans at first. at first.

- Three of their gods and one of their goddesses became the - Three of their gods and one of their goddesses became the days of the week… Tiw (Tuesday), Woden (Wednesday), Thor days of the week… Tiw (Tuesday), Woden (Wednesday), Thor (Thursday), and Frig (Friday).(Thursday), and Frig (Friday).- Could tell by things such as place names… for example, - Could tell by things such as place names… for example, Wednesbury and Wednesfield were after the god Woden.Wednesbury and Wednesfield were after the god Woden.- - The survival of place-names can give us two kinds of The survival of place-names can give us two kinds of information; they identify the gods that were worshipped, and information; they identify the gods that were worshipped, and they indicate former shrines or holy-places.they indicate former shrines or holy-places.

► Became Became ChristiansChristians around 597. around 597.- Pope Gregory was “appalled at the idea of going to a - Pope Gregory was “appalled at the idea of going to a barbarous, fierce, and pagan nation…”.barbarous, fierce, and pagan nation…”.- He didn’t want the shrines to be destroyed, but changed to - He didn’t want the shrines to be destroyed, but changed to Christian places of worship.Christian places of worship.

► The change from Paganism to Christianity was relatively The change from Paganism to Christianity was relatively quick.quick.- Took 84 years for the change.- Took 84 years for the change.

Discovery of BurialDiscovery of Burial

http://http://www.youtube.com/watwww.youtube.com/watch?vch?v=7kY4qWI_7zE=7kY4qWI_7zE

Only the religious were buried.Only the religious were buried.

Battles and WarBattles and War

► Becoming king wasn’t hereditary, it Becoming king wasn’t hereditary, it depended on the ability to conquer and win depended on the ability to conquer and win battles so the best people in battle became battles so the best people in battle became king.king.

► The typical weapon was a spear made of The typical weapon was a spear made of ash wood and iron.ash wood and iron.

►Only nobility used swords, which were about Only nobility used swords, which were about 2½ feet long.2½ feet long.

► Shields were made of wood covered with Shields were made of wood covered with leather and some iron.leather and some iron.

► Vikings had chain mail, swords, and helmets Vikings had chain mail, swords, and helmets that made them more prepared for battle.that made them more prepared for battle.

Photos of Battle Equipment IPhotos of Battle Equipment I

Photos of Battle Equipment IIPhotos of Battle Equipment II

The Fall of the Anglo-Saxon The Fall of the Anglo-Saxon EmpireEmpire

► The Vikings came to England around the end of The Vikings came to England around the end of the eighth century, where they were able to the eighth century, where they were able to completely occupy a part of East England by completely occupy a part of East England by 870.870.

► The Vikings, who had a stronger military, were The Vikings, who had a stronger military, were able to raid Britain. Once there they burned able to raid Britain. Once there they burned churches, stole animals and precious things, and churches, stole animals and precious things, and massacred people.massacred people.

► In 1066, the Duke of Normandy beat the Earl of In 1066, the Duke of Normandy beat the Earl of Wessex in the Battle of Hastings. This marked Wessex in the Battle of Hastings. This marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon period and the start the end of the Anglo-Saxon period and the start of the Norman period in England. of the Norman period in England.

SourcesSources

►Life in Anglo-Saxon England by R.I PageLife in Anglo-Saxon England by R.I Page►http://http://

www.englishheathenism.homestead.com/www.englishheathenism.homestead.com/pagangods.htmlpagangods.html

►http://www.britainexpress.com/History/http://www.britainexpress.com/History/dark_ages_index.htmdark_ages_index.htm

►http://www.great-britain.co.uk/history/ang-http://www.great-britain.co.uk/history/ang-sax.htmsax.htm

►http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/anglosaxons/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/anglosaxons/

The End.The End.