Knowledge Organiser Anglo-Saxons and Scots

Who were the Anglo-Saxons? When did the Anglo-Saxons convert to Christianity? The Anglo-Saxons consisted of the two biggest tribes: the Angles and the Saxons. Other invaders In 597AD, Pope Gregory the Great from Rome sent were the Jutes, Franks and Frisians. They came a Roman monk called Augustine to Britain to tell the Glossary from the modern places of Germany, Netherlands Anglo-Saxons all about Christianity, and persuade and Denmark. These Germanic tribes all saw the them to become Christians. Augustine arrived in Kent 1 heptarchy The name given for the seven kingdoms that were in Britain during Anglo-Saxon times. opportunity to invade Britain, and without Roman and set about his work. King Ethelbert, who was the kingdom An area of England ruled over by one King, usually a great warrior. protection they proved to be a formidable force king of Kent at the time, allowed him to preach to the 2 against the British. people to teach them all about Christianity. Augustine 3 fertile Land which has lots of nutrients, so is easy to grow crops in. converted King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity soon after his arrival. Ethelbert was baptised and became 4 tribe A community of people who live and work together, with a common leader the first Anglo-Saxon Christian king. On Christmas day 597AD, Augustine baptised 10,000 of the king’s 5 bretwalda A king who claimed to be in charge of all of England. subjects. The mission proved to be a great success and Augustine was made a saint after his death in 6 cyning The Anglo-Saxon word for King. The war-chief and leader of many tribes. recognition of his work. 7 thane A village chief, leader of the local tribe. 8 ceorl A poor common person, or peasant, usually a farmer or a craftsman. How was Anglo-Saxon Britain ruled? What was Anglo-Saxon society like? 9 fyrd The fyrd army was made up of any free man that the king could call upon. fortification A defensive wall built to strengthen a place against attack. Anglo-Saxon Britain wasn’t ruled The king was at the top of society and he had many 10 by one person and the Anglo-Saxons responsibilities. The earls were the most important 11 pagan A religion other than one of the main world religions, e.g. non-Christian. were not united. They invaded as men in the country after the king and governed many different tribes and each took large areas of England on the king’s behalf. Thanes 12 convert To change someone’s mind, especially about religion. over different parts of Britain. (also written as thegns) were local lords who lived in large halls and helped the king rule the land. Thanes invasion An unwelcome armed intrusion into another country or region. Each group of Anglo-Saxon settlers 13 were in charge of a village and were required to fight had a leader or war-chief. A strong for the king. Most Anglo-Saxons were ceorls (also 14 Danes Another name for the Viking invaders. and successful leader became known as churls). These were the common people or ‘cyning’, the Anglo-Saxon word for peasants. Ceorls had 15 Danelaw The area of land given to the Vikings in the east of England ‘king’. Each king ruled a kingdom to fight for their thane. and led a small army. From time to time, the 16 wergild ‘Man payment’ — Payment given to a family if you injured or killed someone. In return, the thane strongest king would claim to be ‘bretwalda’, gave them protection which meant ruler of all Britain. 17 tithing Made of 10 men responsible for each others’ behaviour. from invaders. Slaves Over time, Britain was divided into seven were at the very 18 mint A way to make a coin. kingdoms run by different groups. The kingdoms bottom of Anglo-Saxon were East Anglia, Sussex, Wessex, Essex, society and had 19 ‘dark ages’ The period of history during which there aren’t many written records. Northumbria, Mercia and Kent. no freedom. 20 archaeologist A person who digs up artefacts and buildings from the past and studies them.

Significant People and Places Significant People and Places

Woden God of War Alfred the Great Saint Augustine Bede Sutton Hoo 7 Kingdoms Canterbury Cathedral Lindisfarne Priory and Wisdom

th The site of The 7 kingdoms of Augustine founded Canterbury Lindisfarne Priory King Alfred was known Saint Augustine was Bede was a 9 century The Anglo-Saxons were an Anglo-Saxon burial Anglo-Saxon Britain Cathedral and became the became a very influential as Alfred the Great a monk who spread the historian who is known pagans who believed in ground which was a were Mercia, first Archbishop of Canterbury. place. Using the priory because of his social, word and converted the as the Father of English many Gods. major archeological Northumbria, East Anglia, Today the Archbishop of as a base, the monks educational and military Anglo-Saxons History because of his discovery in 1939. Wessex, Sussex, Canterbury is also the head from Lindisfarne were achievements. to Christianity. influential work. Essex and Kent. of the Church of England and successfully able to Canterbury Cathedral is promote the spread of one of the most important Christianity across the and famous Christian North of England. buildings in the world. 4 5