Anglo-Saxon
The Anglo-Saxons were a group of Germanic tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who migrated to Great Britain around the fifth century. They originated from regions in modern-day Denmark and northern Germany and began settling in Britain following the withdrawal of Roman forces. Over time, these groups established seven kingdoms in central and southern Britain, with King Æthelstan of Wessex uniting them in 927 to form what is now known as England. The term "Anglo-Saxon" was used in the eighth century to differentiate the inhabitants of Britain from their continental counterparts. The Anglo-Saxons played a crucial role in shaping early English culture, language, literature, and law, with notable contributions such as the epic poem "Beowulf" and the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle." Their rule lasted until 1066, when the Norman Conquest marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era. This period significantly influenced the development of the English language and the establishment of Christianity in Britain. The remnants of Anglo-Saxon culture and artifacts, such as those from the Sutton Hoo burial site, continue to provide insights into their society and legacy.
Authored By: Benson, Alvin K. 1 of 3
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From 410 to 500 CE, after the Romans left what is now England, three ethnic groups—the Angles from the Schleswig region of northern Germany, the Saxons from northwest Germany and northeast Holland, and the Jutes from Denmark—migrated to England. These groups, which became known collectively as the Anglo-Saxons, mixed together and settled in such large numbers that they were able to impose their language and customs on the Celtic-speaking Britons, except in the Welsh mountains and the Scottish highlands. Under the most famous Anglo-Saxon king, Alfred the Great, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom expanded and became known as England, an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “land of the Angles.”
In the United States and Canada, Anglo-Saxon refers to any person of English nationality, culture, or descent, and to anyone of the Anglican religion. More generally, the term is used to designate any white Gentile who speaks English. Many Anglo-Saxons have historically considered themselves superior to those of other races and ethnicities, with some White supremacist groups claiming ties to Anglo-Saxon ancestors. The Anglo-Saxons have left their mark on the grammar of the English language, as well as in thousands of English words, including approximately one-fifth of the words spoken in the English language today.
Bibliography
"The Anglo-Saxons." BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/saxons.shtml. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
"Anglo-Saxons: A Brief History." Historical Association, www.history.org.uk/resource/3865. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Higham, N. J., and Martin J. Ryan. The Anglo-Saxon World. Yale UP, 2013.
Morris, Marc. The Norman Conquest: The Battle of Hastings and the Fall of Anglo-Saxon England. Pegasus, 2012.
Wall, Martin. The Anglo-Saxon Age: The Birth of England. Amberley Publishing, 2015.