The First English Kingdoms: A Guide to the Anglo-Saxons and Scots for Kids (and Teachers!)
Hello, fellow educators and parents! After the mighty Roman Empire left Britain, a new and exciting era began. This was the age of the Anglo-Saxons and the Scots, a time of migration, new kingdoms, and epic stories that laid the foundation for the England and Scotland we know today.
At The Teaching Couple, we love making history accessible and engaging for young learners. Our “The First English Kingdoms” presentation, embedded on this page, is a fantastic visual journey into this period. This article is the perfect companion, expanding on the key events and offering practical tips for teaching this fascinating topic in your classroom.
A New Chapter for Britain: Goodbye, Romans!
For almost 400 years, the Romans ruled Britain, building roads, towns, and great walls. But around 410 AD, the Roman army had to leave to protect other parts of its empire. This left Britain unprotected, opening the door for new groups of people to arrive and make it their home.
New People Arrive: Who Were the Anglo-Saxons and Scots?
With the Romans gone, people from across the sea saw Britain as a land of opportunity.
The Anglo-Saxons
Three main tribes sailed to Britain from Northern Europe.
- The Angles: They came from an area that is now part of Denmark and Germany. They settled in the north and east, creating kingdoms like Northumbria and Mercia.
- The Saxons: Originating from what is now northern Germany, they settled in the south, in lands that became Wessex, Sussex, and Essex.
- The Jutes: From the Jutland Peninsula in modern-day Denmark, the Jutes settled mainly in Kent.
The Scots
Around the same time, another group called the Scots travelled from Ireland to settle in northern Britain. They established the kingdom of Dál Riata in the area we now know as Scotland, bringing their own unique culture and traditions.
The Seven Kingdoms of the Heptarchy
The Anglo-Saxons did not form one single country. Instead, they established seven main kingdoms: Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Wessex. These kingdoms, known as the Heptarchy, often fought each other for land and power, and these rivalries shaped much of early English history.
Beliefs and Big Changes: Pagan Gods to Christianity
The early Anglo-Saxons were pagans. They worshipped many gods, with two of the most important being:
- Woden: The king of the gods, associated with wisdom and war. His name gives us “Wednesday” (Woden’s day).
- Thunor: The powerful god of thunder and storms, who gives us the name “Thursday” (Thor’s day).
This all began to change in 597 AD when the Pope sent a monk named Augustine on a mission to bring Christianity to Britain. He successfully converted the king of Kent, and from there, the new religion spread. Monasteries became centres of learning, where monks would spend their days copying books and creating beautiful illuminated manuscripts, like the famous Lindisfarne Gospels.
Uncovering the Past: The Treasure of Sutton Hoo
How do we know so much about the Anglo-Saxons? One of the most important clues is the incredible archaeological discovery at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.
Here, archaeologists uncovered a huge burial mound containing the outline of an entire Anglo-Saxon ship. The ship was the final resting place of a great king or leader, buried around 625 AD. The treasures found inside, like the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, swords, shields, and gold buckles, tell us that the Anglo-Saxons were not just farmers, but also skilled craftspeople, fierce warriors, and long-distance traders.
How to Teach the Anglo-Saxons and Scots in Your Classroom
This is a fantastic topic for hands-on history. Here are a few ideas:
- Map the Migrations: Use a map of Britain and Europe to trace the journeys of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Scots. This helps children visualise where the new settlers came from and where they established their kingdoms.
- Become an Archaeologist: Create a “dig box” by burying replica artifacts (plastic coins, beads, pottery shards) in a sand tray. Give students brushes and tools to carefully excavate the items. Afterwards, they can “read the evidence” just like archaeologists at Sutton Hoo, trying to figure out what the objects tell us about the people who left them behind.
- Design a Sutton Hoo Helmet: This is a great art and design project. Using cardboard, foil, and markers, challenge students to design their own Anglo-Saxon helmet, complete with the intricate patterns and animal designs seen on the real thing.
- “Decode” Place Names: The Anglo-Saxons left their mark on the English language and place names. Teach students the meaning of endings like -ham (homestead), -ton (farm or settlement), and -ford (river crossing) and then have them look at a map of your local area to see if they can find any Anglo-Saxon towns.
This era of British history is a tale of new beginnings that shaped the identity of the nations. We hope this guide helps you explore it with your young learners. For a full visual journey, be sure to use our “The First English Kingdoms” presentation!
