Anglo-Saxons Overview Quiz

Anglo-Saxons

• The Anglo-Saxons were a mix of tribes from northern Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands
• They migrated to Britain in large rowing boats
• After the Romans left Britain, the Anglo-Saxons began to arrive
• Some Anglo-Saxons lived peacefully, but many fought the British for land
• They brought their families with them to their new home
• The main tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes
• They raided the British coast from 360 CE, even before the Roman withdrawal
• They targeted villages and Roman villas, stealing gold, jewellery, and animals
• The Romans typically repelled the raids quickly
• After the Romans left, Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain permanently

Anglo-Saxon Rule

• Anglo-Saxons lacked a single ruler or emperor
• Each tribe had its own leader, controlling different parts of Britain
• Strong tribal leaders were called cyning (king)
• Each cyning ruled over a kingdom
• Tribes often fought amongst themselves for land
• By 600 CE, five main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms existed
• Kings were supported by advisors known as thanes

Anglo-Saxon Villages

• Villages were built by the Anglo-Saxons, not the Romans
• They often were built near water sources, such as rivers
• Villages were primarily agricultural
• Homes were simple, made of wood with thatched roofs
• Most homes had only one room
• Wooden fences protected homes and livestock from wild animals
• Shared fields were important for growing crops
• Villagers raised cattle, and grew wheat, barley, oats, and rye

Anglo-Saxon Children

• Boys learned practical skills like farming and warfare from a young age
• Around the age of 10, they began to imitate adult behaviours
• Girls learned household skills from their mothers
• Women's roles included cooking, childcare, and crafting

Test your knowledge about the Anglo-Saxons, their migrations to Britain, and the tribal dynamics that characterized their rule. Explore how these tribes interacted with the native Britons and each other in this engaging quiz. Suitable for students studying early medieval history.