Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture

Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture

By Kate Wilkinson-Brindle
Illustrated by Amy Robinson

Introduction and Timeline

Britain has been invaded by many people through the ages: the
Romans, Angles, Saxons, Vikings and Normans were just some of
the invaders. The Angles and Saxons were two tribes from different
parts of Germany who settled in England and ruled for around
600 years.

410 600 975
The Romans Sutton Hoo was used The poem ‘Beowulf’
left Britain. as an Anglo-Saxon burial was written around
site at around this time. this time.

449 927 1066
The Angles and The kingdoms in William of Normandy
the Saxons arrived Britain were united won the Battle
in Britain. by King Athelstan. of Hastings.

Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk, was an area of land
owned by Edith Pretty. In 1939, she asked
archaeologists to dig into some little hills
on her land. Inside the largest of the
mounds, they found the most amazing
Anglo-Saxon burial chamber. Inside the
burial chamber, there was a large ship that This beautifully decorated
was full of Anglo-Saxon treasure! There were iron helmet was found at
weapons, drinking horns, silver bowls, gold Sutton Hoo.
jewellery and coins. The artefacts found at Sutton Hoo show that
the Anglo-Saxons were skilled metalworkers.

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Golden Art

Another artefact found at Sutton Hoo
was this golden belt buckle. If you
look closely at this beautiful artefact,
you can see that an amazing artist
designed and made it. There are
thirteen different animals twined into
the design of the buckle. Can you see
any of the animals?
Clasps were made to hold clothes
at the shoulder. Gold, garnets and
glass were used to create these
stunning fasteners.

Toys, Games and Music

Toys and Games

Anglo-Saxon children were kept busy
growing food and looking after animals,
but they may have had time to play too.
Archaeologists have found toys, such as
carved wooden animals, ships and dolls.
They have also found counters and dice,
which children may have used to play
Anglo-Saxon board games.

Music

Pictures of Anglo-Saxon musicians can be
seen on old papers in the British Library.
Can you see a harp, a horn, a type of
trumpet and a type of violin in the image above?

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Anglo-Saxon Poetry

The Anglo-Saxons enjoyed poetry, riddles,
stories and songs. Scops were travelling
poets and singers who would entertain
their audiences with tales and music.
Anglo-Saxon poetry is full of kennings. A
kenning is a way of describing something
by comparing it with something else. Here
are some Anglo-Saxon kennings and their meanings:

whale’s-way – sea
sky-candle – sun
treasure-minder – dragon
earth-stepper – human
wave-horse – ship

Can you make up a kenning for the moon or the stars?

The Story of Beowulf

‘Beowulf’ is a famous Anglo-Saxon narrative poem. It tells the tale
of a young Swedish hero who sailed over the ocean to save the
Danish people from a fearsome monster – Grendel. After a
fierce fight, Beowulf ripped off one of Grendel’s arms! He
thought that would be the last of the attacks, but
that wasn’t the case. Although Grendel was hurt
too badly to fight any more, its mother
came seeking revenge! Beowulf and
Grendel’s mother fought a grim
battle in a gloomy cave under a
lake. Beowulf finally killed her
with a giant, magical sword.

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