Anglo-Saxons in Britain

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Anglo Saxon Place Names

Where did the Anglo-Saxons Settle in Britain?

Towns and Villages

Anglo-Saxons name for towns was burh. The word 'burh' still appears in place names in Britain - Peterborough and Scarborough are two examples.

Names that tell the tribes

The first Anglo Saxon Villages were often named after the Chieftain (Leader of the village). This made it clear which tribe the village belonged to. These places often have the letters 'ing' of 'folk' somewhere in their name, often at the end. The first part of the name was most likely to have been the name of the local chieftain.

The people who lived in the 'village' of Hastings were 'Haesta's people'.
Haesta was the chieftain.

The people who lived in the 'village' of Reading were 'Redda's people'.
Redda was the chieftain .

Names that tell the Landscape

Later Anglo Saxon villages were named after a feature in their surroundings rather than the name of the chieftain.

Oxford got its name because it was a place where oxen were driven across a ford in a river.

Places named after Gods

Other Anglo Saxon villages were named after pagan gods or goddesses.

Place names begining with Wednes, Wodnes and Woodnes come from the name of Woden, a war god. Examples include Wednesfield in the West Midlands and Wodnesfeld in Essex. Both mean Woden's field.

Tuesley in Surrey was named after the god Tiw.

Thursley in Sussex is named after the god Thunor and means Thunor's grove

Counties

The Saxons settled in areas of Essex (East Saxons), Sussex (South Saxons), Middlesex (Middle Saxons), and Wessex (West Saxons).

The Jutes settled mainly inKent. They did not call themselves 'the Jutes', they referred to them selves as 'the Kentings', that is the men living in Kent.

The Angles settled in East Anglia

Who were the Anglo-Saxons? Who?

When did the Anglo-Saxons invade Britain? When? ....... Anglo Saxon Timeline

Why did Anglo-Saxons invade Britain? Why ?

How long did the Anglo-Saxons stay in England? How long ?

Where did the Anglo-Saxons Settle in Britain? - Settle

What Anglo Saxon Place names still exist today? - Place names

What Religion did the Anglo-Saxons follow? - Religion

Where do the names of the days of the week originate from? Days of the Week

Why is Sutton Hoo famous? Sutton Hoo

What were Anglo Saxon villages and houses like? Saxon Houses and Villages

What did the Anglo-Saxons Eat and Drink? Food and Drink

Who invaded England after the Anglo-Saxons? Who invaded next?

Who was the last Anglo Saxon King and where did he die? Last Saxon King