The Warm Hall, the Cold World Anglo-Saxon Life The 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