Who Were the Anglo-Saxons? A Kid’s Guide to Early England
Hello, wonderful parents and teachers! After the Romans left Britain, a new and exciting chapter in history began. This was the time of the Anglo-Saxons, a period that shaped the language we speak and the places we live today. But who were they, and what was life like for them?
At The Teaching Couple, we love bringing history to life. That’s why we’ve created our “The Anglo-Saxons in Britain” presentation, which you can find right here on this page. This guide is the perfect partner to the slides, digging deeper into the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon warriors, kings, and everyday folk.
Where Did the Anglo-Saxons Come From?
The Anglo-Saxons didn’t start in Britain. They were made up of three main tribes: the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. These tribes journeyed across the North Sea around the year 410 AD, after the Romans had left Britain. They came from areas we now know as Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Their arrival marked the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon era in Britain.
What Was Life Like in Anglo-Saxon Britain?
Villages and Homes
Most Anglo-Saxons lived in small villages made of wooden houses that had thatched roofs. These villages were often built near rivers and good farmland, where families could grow crops and raise animals. To stay safe from attacks, some settlements were protected by wooden fences or large earth walls known as ‘burhs’. Over time, some of these villages grew into towns where people could trade goods like cloth, pottery, and tools at markets.
Daily Life for Children
Anglo-Saxon children had lives full of both work and play.
- They often learned reading, writing, and maths at home or in small village schools, using tools like wooden tablets.
- They also had chores, such as helping to feed the animals and collect water.
- For fun, they played games with friends, including tag and hoop rolling.
Clothing and Food
Anglo-Saxon clothing was simple and practical.
- People wore tunics, cloaks, and dresses made from wool and linen. They used simple dyes to add colour and wore leather shoes and belts.
- Their diet consisted of food they could grow or hunt. This included bread made from barley and rye, vegetables like cabbage and onions, and meat from pigs, sheep, and deer. They also enjoyed honey and berries for a sweet treat.
Anglo-Saxon Society: From Farmers to Kings
Anglo-Saxon society had clear roles for everyone.
- Farmers: Most people were farmers who worked hard to grow the food that fed the entire village.
- Craftsmen: Skilled craftsmen made important items for trade and daily life, including weapons, tools, and jewellery.
- Warriors: Brave warriors were needed to defend the kingdoms from enemies. They trained with weapons like swords, spears, and shields.
- Kings: At the top were the kings, who were leaders responsible for protecting their people and making important decisions with the help of advisers.
Famous Anglo-Saxon Kings
Several powerful kings left their mark on history:
- King Offa: A powerful king of Mercia who is famous for building Offa’s Dyke, a massive earthwork wall that marked the border with Wales.
- Alfred the Great: The king of Wessex, celebrated for defending England against Viking invasions and for promoting education and law.
- King Aethelstan: Known as the first king to rule over most of what we now call England, uniting the different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Anglo-Saxon Culture and Beliefs
Language and Writing
The Anglo-Saxons spoke a language called Old English, which is the ancestor of the English we speak today. Before they adopted the Latin alphabet, they used a special alphabet made of straight lines called runes, which they would carve into stone or wood.
Religion and the Arrival of Christianity
Originally, the Anglo-Saxons were pagans. They worshipped many gods and goddesses connected to nature, such as Woden, the leader of the gods, and Thunor, the god of thunder.
This changed in 597 AD when missionaries, including Saint Augustine, arrived from Rome to teach the Anglo-Saxons about Christianity. The new religion brought new ideas and led to the building of churches, which became centres for worship and learning.
The End of an Era and Their Lasting Legacy
The Anglo-Saxon period came to an end in 1066 when an invasion led by William the Conqueror defeated the last Anglo-Saxon king at the Battle of Hastings.
However, their influence is still all around us today.
- Many English words, like ‘house’, ‘friend’, and ‘day’, come from Old English.
- Place names ending in ‘-ham’ (village) or ‘-ton’ (town) are from the Anglo-Saxon language.
- Their systems of government and law also influenced how Britain is governed today.
We hope this journey into the past has been exciting! To see more amazing illustrations and timelines, be sure to explore our “The Anglo-Saxons in Britain” presentation right here on this page.
