Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic peoples, mainly Angles, Saxons and Jutes, who settled in Britain from the fifth century after the Romans left. They founded the kingdoms that later became England, which takes its name from the Angles.
The settlers came from areas that are now northern Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. They brought their language, which developed into Old English.
Over time, they formed kingdoms such as Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, East Anglia and Kent. These kingdoms often fought each other.
Culture and legacy
The Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity from the late sixth century. Monasteries became centers of learning and art, producing works such as the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The epic poem Beowulf was written in Old English. Many English place names and days of the week, such as Wednesday and Thursday, come from Anglo-Saxon words.
King Alfred the Great of Wessex defended against Viking invasions. His grandson, Athelstan, became the first king of all England in 927.
The Anglo-Saxon period ended with the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Sutton Hoo ship burial is one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon archaeological finds.