THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: arrival When did the arrive in Britain? In the V (407) and VI century AD Who had ruled Britan before? The Romans Where did they come from? From Western Europe How long did they stay in Britain? For 500 years

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers:What happened to the britons? The British People were pushed westwards. They settled in Wales and in Cornwall. The Picts lived in Scotland. It was never occupied by the Anglo-saxons. By 600 Britain was divided into seven main Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Northumbria, Mercia, Essex, East Anglia, Wessex, Kent and Sussex. They were often at war but no single kingdom was able to conquer the others.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: how a kingdom was organized The Anglo-Saxons were fighters. At the head of each attack there was an Anglo-Saxon king. Each king was sorrounded by a council of advisers, known as the Witan. This group may have nobles, priests and members of the king’s family.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: where did the king live? When he wasn’t in the battlefield, a king loved in a big wooden house, called a hall. A king’s hall was built to impress his subjects, and to hold important meetings. It was a cheerful home, with a blazing fire, rich tapestries hanging on the walls and rushes strewn over the floor.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: everyday life The thanes were the nobles. They owned a lot of land and were expected to fight for the king. The churls were free peasants who owned some land. They paid taxes (cattle and a share of their crops) and fought for their thane. Slaves could be bought bought, sold or given away. Many were British prisoners, while other were born into slavery.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: religion The Anglo-Saxons were pagan, who didn’t believe in the Christian god. They had many pagan gods. For example, Thor made thunder and lightning. There were still groups of Christians living in parts of Wales and Ireland. Gradually these Celtic Christians returned to England and Scotland and began to convert the Picts, the Scots and the Anglo-Saxons. Over time, most of Britain became Christian.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: INFLUENCE ON language WEEKDAYS Some of our week days are named after the Anglo-Saxons’ pagan gods. Tiw’s day (Tuesday). Tiw was the god of bravery and fighting. Woden’s day (Wednesday). Woden was the chief of gods. Thunor’s day (Thursday). Thunor was the god of war and thunder. Frig’s day (Friday). Frig was the goddess of love adn beauty.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: language The Anglos-Saxons spoke Germanic languages, and they weren’t very good at reading or writing. When they did write, they used symbols called runes. Gradually, the Anglo-Saxons’ languages merged and spread to become what is known as Old English.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: telling tales The Anglo-Sxons loved tales of danger and adventure. As they could barely read or write, stories had to be passed along by being recited, memorized and restold- usually as songs, which were easier to learn. Heroes kings monsters bravery loyalty good evil

THE ANGLO-SAXONS settlers: beowulf This is the only complete Anglo-Saxon epic poem that has survived. It is anonimous It is formed by 3182 verses It must have been written between VIII-XII AD

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE BOOK & the anglo-saxons!