Anglo-Saxon Religion and Beliefs

Study Notes

Anglo-Saxons arrived in Britain with pagan beliefs, emphasizing fate and worship of ancient Germanic gods.
Key deities included Tui (god of war and sky), Woden (chief god), and Fria (goddess of the home); their names influenced modern weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday).
Christianity was introduced by Romans and spread to the Celts across Britain.
Irish monks played a significant role in establishing Christianity, particularly in Scotland, leading to the construction of numerous monasteries.

In 597, St. Augustine converted King Ethelbert of Kent, marking a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity in England.
The Church became influential in promoting peace and unity among the English people, while also advancing education and written literature.
Monks served as scribes, preserving written works through manual duplication, contributing to the development of English literacy.

Venerable Bede (673-735) is known as the "father of English history."
His notable work, "A History of the English Church and People," provides critical insight into early Anglo-Saxon history.

Oral traditions were kept alive by scops, who recited epic poems, preserving elements of Celtic languages (Cornish, Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic).
By 802, distinctions between Angles, Saxons, and Jutes became less pronounced.

King Alfred the Great successfully resisted early Viking invasions, which primarily consisted of quick raids for plunder rather than attempts to conquer.
Vikings originated from Denmark and Scandinavia, targeting churches for riches.

The social structure featured a king at the apex, expected to be generous to loyal subjects.
Thanes were landholders granted by the king, ranking between common freemen and hereditary nobles, and were expected to show loyalty and kinship ties to the tribal founders.

Mead halls functioned as large social centers in Anglo-Saxon culture, housing the king and hosting gatherings or feasts.
Following the introduction of Christianity by missionaries like St. Augustine, the island gradually became predominantly Christian within 75 years.

Before Christianity, literacy was virtually non-existent; the faith’s introduction spurred the creation of written codes, such as Ethelbert's laws, signifying the start of Old English written records.
The Old English period spanned from approximately AD 410 to 1066, bridging the gap between the Roman departure and the Norman Conquest.

Britain endured various invasions from different groups (Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Vikings, Normans), shaping its culture and language.
The Norman Conquest in 1066 marked a significant transition in English history, with William the Conqueror emerging as the new king.