Introduction to the Anglo-Saxons
After the Roman army left Britain in AD 410, the island faced new invasions. The Romans left to defend other parts of their empire and did not return. Tribes from northern Europe, known as the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons, invaded Britain. Their languages formed the basis of modern-day English.
Establishment of Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms
By around AD 600, the Anglo-Saxons had established kingdoms in Britain, mainly in what we now call England. These kingdoms were formed after many battles against other groups. One notable archaeological site from this period is Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, where the burial site of a king was found. He was buried with treasure and armour in a ship, which was then covered with a mound of earth.
Christianity and the Anglo-Saxons
When the Anglo-Saxons first arrived, they were not Christians. However, during their time in Britain, missionaries came to spread Christianity.
- In the north, missionaries from Ireland, like St Patrick and St Columba, played key roles. St Columba founded a monastery on the island of Iona, near modern Scotland.
- In the south, St Augustine led missionaries from Rome. He became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and helped spread Christianity there.
Key Points to Remember
- The Roman army left Britain in AD 410.
- The Jutes, Angles, and Saxons invaded and established kingdoms around AD 600.
- The Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo is an important historical find.
- Missionaries like St Patrick and St Augustine helped spread Christianity.
Questions
Easy Level Questions
- Who left Britain in AD 410?
- A) The Vikings
- B) The Romans
- C) The Saxons
- D) The Normans
- What tribes invaded Britain after the Romans left?
- A) The Celts
- B) The Jutes, Angles, and Saxons
- C) The Scots
- D) The Irish
- What is the burial site of an Anglo-Saxon king called?
- A) Stonehenge
- B) Sutton Hoo
- C) Hadrian’s Wall
- D) Glastonbury
- In which country is Sutton Hoo located?
- A) Wales
- B) Scotland
- C) England
- D) Ireland
- Who was St Patrick?
- A) A king
- B) A missionary
- C) A warrior
- D) A poet
- What language did the Anglo-Saxons speak?
- A) Latin
- B) Old English
- C) French
- D) Gaelic
- Who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury?
- A) St Patrick
- B) St Columba
- C) St Augustine
- D) King Arthur
- Which area of Britain remained free of Anglo-Saxon rule?
- A) England
- B) Wales
- C) Northern Ireland
- D) Scotland
- When did the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms begin to form?
- A) AD 410
- B) AD 600
- C) AD 800
- D) AD 1000
- What did the Anglo-Saxons bury with their kings?
- A) Books
- B) Treasure and armour
- C) Food
- D) Animals
Medium Level Questions
- Why did the Roman army leave Britain?
- A) They were defeated
- B) To defend other parts of the Empire
- C) To explore new lands
- D) To trade
- Which of the following tribes was NOT part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion?
- A) The Angles
- B) The Jutes
- C) The Romans
- D) The Saxons
- Who founded the monastery on the island of Iona?
- A) St Patrick
- B) St Augustine
- C) St Columba
- D) St George
- What did St Augustine bring to southern Britain?
- A) The English language
- B) Christianity
- C) War
- D) Gold
- Which region did the Anglo-Saxons mainly settle in?
- A) Wales
- B) Scotland
- C) England
- D) Ireland
- What was covered by a mound of earth at Sutton Hoo?
- A) A castle
- B) A ship
- C) A wall
- D) A tree
- What was the main religion of the Anglo-Saxons when they first arrived in Britain?
- A) Christianity
- B) Paganism
- C) Judaism
- D) Buddhism
- What year marks the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon rule in Britain?
- A) AD 410
- B) AD 600
- C) AD 500
- D) AD 700
- Who were the missionaries from Ireland?
- A) The Celts
- B) The Picts
- C) St Patrick and St Columba
- D) The Normans
- What did the Anglo-Saxons contribute to the English language?
- A) They invented it
- B) Their languages formed its basis
- C) They had no influence
- D) They made it more complex
Hard Level Questions
- Which king’s burial site was discovered at Sutton Hoo?
- A) King Alfred
- B) King Raedwald
- C) King Arthur
- D) King Cnut
- How did the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms differ from Roman Britain?
- A) They were more democratic
- B) They were less organized
- C) They had no kings
- D) They were unified
- What major historical event occurred in AD 410?
- A) The start of the Anglo-Saxon invasions
- B) The end of the Roman Empire
- C) The arrival of Christianity
- D) The signing of the Magna Carta
- What role did St Columba play in spreading Christianity?
- A) He led armies
- B) He founded a monastery
- C) He became a king
- D) He wrote laws
- How did the Anglo-Saxons view Christianity initially?
- A) They embraced it immediately
- B) They were indifferent
- C) They resisted it
- D) They had no knowledge of it
- Which areas of Britain were largely free of Anglo-Saxon control?
- A) The Midlands
- B) Wales and Scotland
- C) The South East
- D) The East Coast
- Why is Sutton Hoo significant in Anglo-Saxon history?
- A) It was a battle site
- B) It was a religious site
- C) It revealed burial practices
- D) It was a trade centre
- What was the main focus of the missionaries in Britain?
- A) Spreading education
- B) Spreading Christianity
- C) Establishing trade
- D) Creating laws
- Which of the following statements is true about the Anglo-Saxon language?
- A) It is the same as modern English.
- B) It has no historical significance.
- C) It is the basis for modern English.
- D) It is a dead language.
- Who were the main opponents of the Anglo-Saxons during their invasions?
- A) The Celts
- B) The Romans
- C) The Normans
- D) The Picts
Answers Key
Easy Level Answers
- B) The Romans
- B) The Jutes, Angles, and Saxons
- B) Sutton Hoo
- C) England
- B) A missionary
- B) Old English
- C) St Augustine
- B) Wales
- B) AD 600
- B) Treasure and armour
Medium Level Answers
- B) To defend other parts of the Empire
- C) The Romans
- C) St Columba
- B) Christianity
- C) England
- B) A ship
- B) Paganism
- B) AD 600
- C) St Patrick and St Columba
- B) Their languages formed its basis
Hard Level Answers
- B) King Raedwald
- B) They were less organized
- A) The start of the Anglo-Saxon invasions
- B) He founded a monastery
- C) They resisted it
- B) Wales and Scotland
- C) It revealed burial practices
- B) Spreading Christianity
- C) It is the basis for modern English.
- A) The Celts
