Download - Anglo-Saxon Life
Anglo-Saxon LifeThe Warm Hall, the Cold World
1939- Suffolk, England
Archaeologists discovered a ship that was buried for 1,300 years.
It was filled with different treasures that was buried with a king, or noble warrior.
They could not find a trace of a king or warrior, although they found his sword among many different treasures.
Some of those treasures included: gold, silver, bronze, his purse, coins, a helmet, a buckle, serving vessels, and a harp.
Finding this grave, it reminded everyone of the huge burial in memory of Beowulf.
Anglo-Saxon Society became linked with Europe via religion
Christianity took over old warrior religion Monasteries were established to offer
learning centers and observable preserved works from the Anglo’s older oral tradition
The English language expanded just from the church and became widely spread throughout language and text
Anglo-Saxon Housing They tended to live close to their animals
in single-family homesteads for protection
The homesteads they lived in were made out of wood and surrounded a communal court or a warm, fire-lit chieftain's hall
Anglo-Saxon Housing Not only did this arrangement
contribute to a sense of security, but it also contributed to the close relationship between leader and follower
It also encouraged participation in community discussions and rule by consensus
Anglo-Saxon Society Developed from kinship groups that
were led by a strong chief The strongest ties in society were to
family and lord There was no real concept of patriotism or
loyalty to a cause This made a kingdom only as strong as
their leader
Anglo-Saxon Society Since the Anglo-Saxons were so loyal to
family, if a family member was murdered, one would have to get vengeance for that person Led extensive, violent, and bloody feuds
Anglo-Saxon Society In the countryside, the common thing to
do was farm At first these farms were owned privately,
but then they were condensed into a noble’s estate
The common person would work on the nobles land usually in exchange for protection
Anglo-Saxon Society The Anglo-Saxons were also exceptional
metalworkers Discovery at Sutton Hoo showed level of
sophistication higher than imagined
Anglo-Saxon Barbarians? Anglo-Saxons are most famously
depicted as barbarians in today’s society
This is false all though they did not lead lives of luxury either
Their lives were not dominated by learning and the arts
Warfare was the central focus, it helped keep law and order among the Anglo-Saxons