All about Anglo Saxon Brighton Anglo Saxon

Have you heard of either of these words before? What do they make you think of? Who were the Anglo Saxons?

And why were After the Romans left there were three large tribes from they called northwestern Europe battling to take over – the Angles, the Anglo Saxons? Saxons and the Jutes. They were warrior farmers who all shared the same language. They were known for being tall with fair hair, and for being good at fighting. Soon, Saxons made up 40 percent of Britain. This period of history has come to be named after the two biggest tribes – the Angles and the Saxons. In fact the word ‘England’ comes from the Anglo Saxon word ‘Angle Land’ Ice Age Bronze Age Roman Black Rock Hove Barrow Springfield Road 220,000 years ago 3,500 years ago 2,000 years ago

Neolithic Iron Age Anglo Saxon Whitehawk Hollingbury Stafford Road 5,700 years ago 2,800 years ago 1,400 years ago

Here’s how the Anglo Saxon period fits into our local timeline – it’s the most recent period of history we’ll be looking at How does this period fit into worldwide prehistory?

Use of fibres First to produce Invention pyramids Ice Age Iron Age First Black Rock clothing of wheel built Hollingbury Writing 220,000 years ago 35,000 years ago 5,500 years ago 4,700 years ago 2,800 years ago 2,000 years ago

First Homo Neolithic Hieroglyphic Bronze Age Romans Anglo sapiens Whitehawk Hove Barrow Springfield Road 5,700 years ago script 3,500 years ago 2,000 years ago Saxons Africa Stafford Road 200,000 years ago developed 1,400 years ago 5,100 years ago Find out about the Anglo Saxons

1. How did the Anglo Saxons It’s time to use your get to Britain? investigative and IT skills to go on a fact- 2. Can you find out the names finding mission about of some of the Gods the life in Anglo Saxon Anglo Saxons worshipped, and what they were the Britain… Gods of?

3. What is the name of the famous Anglo Saxon poem beginning with B? What is it about?

4. Can you find five examples of words or place names we use today that originally came from the Anglo Saxon?

One of the most special things you can see in Brighton Museum’s Archaeology gallery is this gold-covered brooch, on loan from the Sussex Archaeological Society How do you What does this brooch tell us think it was about the lives of made? Anglo Saxons?

What kind of patterns and Does it remind pictures can you you of anything see on the brooch? you have in your home today?

Would it have been hard to make? Why? Would you like to Why not? wear it? Why? What kind of Why not? person would have worn it? Did you know that Anglo Saxon remains have been found at two sites in Brighton & Hove? The red pins on the map mark exactly where – Stafford Road and right near St Luke’s Primary School. We think there were cemeteries at both locations at this time.

Who lived in Brighton & Hove during Anglo Saxon times?

Facial reconstruction based on the skull of ‘Stafford Road Man’ Male, 45-50, Buried near Stafford Road What can scientists tell about ‘Stafford Road Man’ from examining his remains?

He had a large abcess in his upper jaw and would have suffered We found some callus badly from toothache. (healing bone) in one Related blood of his rib bones. This poisoning might even suggests it broke and have been his cause of healed a long time death. before his death.

He was buried in a cemetery in Stafford The skeleton shows he Road lying on his back had strong muscles. with a knife and spear. We think he was a farmer ready to defend his land.

He had a large bony formation on the back of his left thigh from an old injury. He ‘Stafford Road Man’ probably walked with a Male, 45-50 limp. Buried near Stafford Road The Anglo Saxons loved stories. Whole villages would gather together to listen to stories and poetry set to music. Stories often featured gods, goddesses, dragons and other mythical beasts. Anglo Saxon Storytelling: Use this planning grid to Planning grid plan and write your own short story or narrative Setting Where will you set your story? Think about what poem. Rehearse it ready to the Anglo Saxon world would have been like. share with the rest of the class around the fire pit. You Characters Who are they? can even set it to music if What are they like? you have time! Opening How will you use the five senses to set the scene? How will you introduce your characters, using showing, not telling?

Build up How will you change the atmosphere and hint at what is about to happen?

Main What exciting main event will happen and how Psssst – don’t forget event will it make the characters feel? to feature some Anglo Saxon gods Ending How will your story end and how will everybody and goddesses, or feel? Is there a moral to your story, or have some dragons or lessons been learnt? other mythical beasts! Thanks for downloading. See you soon!

Thank you to A-Z for the kind permission to reproduce map on slide 9. Illustration on title slide by Jennifer Khatun. Wolves by Fiona Redford.