The Anglo Saxon Perspective
The term ‘Anglo Saxon’ actually comprises several Germanic tribes of northern Europe who in the fifth and sixth centuries AD migrated across the North Sea to mainland Britain. Apart from the Angles and the Saxons there were also the Jutes, the Frisians and even a few Franks. Sometimes the word ‘Germanic’ is used; other times simply the ‘English’. However, the term Anglo Saxon is a popular and rather handy one and for the purposes of this article (and this blog) I shall use it.
The Anglo Saxon homeland included the areas of Denmark, north-western Germany, eastern Holland and the Frisian Islands, with, it seems, a little bit of southern Sweden as well. Traditionally, the Jutes come from northern Denmark, the Angles from the border area between Denmark and Germany, the Saxons from the lands between the rivers Wesser and Eider, and finally the Frisians from the coastal islands. These are not hard and fast geographical boundaries, but they have their merit.
We know that another tribe going by the name of the Chauci lived on the coast between Holland and Germany, but it appears that the Saxons eventually absorbed these people. The Anglo Saxon homeland was, to put it bluntly, rather unattractive. Flat, prone to flooding, poor soil, cold and damp, it wasn’t exactly paradise on earth. The Anglo Saxons often made their homes on semi-artificial islands, raised just high enough to escape the sea. Generation after generation, back to the Bronze Age and even beyond, these peoples made a life for themselves in a world half way between the land and the sea.
These lands never felt the rule of Rome. But of course these Germanic peoples traded with the Roman Empire for at least four hundred years, so Rome and all she was was not exactly foreign to the Anglo Saxons, or to other peoples outside the imperial realm.
Whatever was the catalyst to do so, the Anglo Saxons in the 3rd century began raiding eastern and southern coastal areas of Britain causing the Roman authorities to build a series of forts and other defenses along the coastal areas most prone to attack. This whole apparatus became known as the ‘Saxon Shore’. Doubtless, it wasn’t just the Saxons who were up to no good, but they must have been most prominent in numbers in justify the title. To the Anglo Saxons, Britain must have seemed a wealthy and rather exotic place, full of palaces and courts, gold and ripe fields. A land of plenty and opportunity. (I suppose anywhere would seem wonderful compared with the Anglo Saxon homeland).
Despite being a pain in the neck to the Romans, some Anglo Saxons eventually settled in eastern Britain and even joined the Roman army. This is however quite some time before the actual Anglo Saxon settlement of Britain would begin.
Whether the folks back home in the Anglo Saxon homeland thought that Britain was a viable option is not known, but as Roman power in Britain waned, so Britain must have seemed more and more like a great place to invest some time and energy. Afterall, the Anglo Saxon lands were the closest non-Roman lands to Britain, and the province could easily be reached after a few days sailing. As a people confident on the water, the North Sea was not a barrier to be crossed; it was perhaps a road to a better way of life.
News of the final Roman withdrawal from Britain in about 408 or 410 AD must have been a hot topic of conversation to those who looked upon the island with envious eyes. And then, all too easy, word was sent to the Angles (in the first instance) that they were welcome to come and settle in eastern Britain to help fend off an anticipated raid by the Picts from northern Britain down into the now newly non-Roman British lowlands. This was great news, and actual invitation to go and live in what had only recently been a rather prosperous Roman province. It must have been like someone from a poorer country today getting permission to go and make a better life in the US or Australia. A ticket to the western world! Wow! Without delay, the Angles set sail and were placed at strategic places along various Roman roads in readiness of the expected Pictish invasion. Whether it actually came is unknown, but the reality was that the Angles had been allowed to settle, with arms, in some rather important places in Britain.
The history of the Saxon settlement of south east Britain, specifically in Kent, is much more shadowy, full as it is of myth, half-remembered stories and hogwash. But the fact is the Saxons did settle in rather large numbers in the south east. Without intending to do so, the Britons had begun to hem themselves in.
To the Anglo Saxons this was a dream come true. Not only did they have a new land, but this one was far nicer than their ancient home. There were towns here, roads, a written language (Latin) great monuments etc. Nothing like this was ever seen in the Anglo Saxon homeland. And not only that, but the British authorities were actual paying some of them to help fight their wars. This was too good to be true!
With the good times rolling in Britain, the Anglo Saxons sent word back across the North Sea to their kinsmen to likewise make the journey over. The more the merrier. Year after year boatloads of settlers paddled over to be warmly greeted and given some nice land in which to farm. Before long, the Anglo Saxon population was expanding hugely. More land was needed.
Either through negotiation, violence or whatever, the Anglo Saxons gained more and more lands in eastern Britain. (Hey, this wasn’t a PC era). The actual events leading to the overthrow of post-Roman Celtic Britain will be saved for another article, suffice it to say that the Anglo Saxons knew they had a good thing going here and were determined not to let it go. They were now living in a Roman province, well a former one, but here they gradually found themselves in control. Through patience, tact, strength and determination, the Anglo Saxons had won a prized possession.
In the centuries ahead the Anglo Saxons made full use of their situation and created one of the most advanced, stable and articulate kingdoms in Europe. Anglaland, eventually England, became a centre of learning, religion and the arts. Of course 1066 brought the Normans who did much to undo the unique achievements of this realm.
The Anglo Saxon homeland included the areas of Denmark, north-western Germany, eastern Holland and the Frisian Islands, with, it seems, a little bit of southern Sweden as well. Traditionally, the Jutes come from northern Denmark, the Angles from the border area between Denmark and Germany, the Saxons from the lands between the rivers Wesser and Eider, and finally the Frisians from the coastal islands. These are not hard and fast geographical boundaries, but they have their merit.
We know that another tribe going by the name of the Chauci lived on the coast between Holland and Germany, but it appears that the Saxons eventually absorbed these people. The Anglo Saxon homeland was, to put it bluntly, rather unattractive. Flat, prone to flooding, poor soil, cold and damp, it wasn’t exactly paradise on earth. The Anglo Saxons often made their homes on semi-artificial islands, raised just high enough to escape the sea. Generation after generation, back to the Bronze Age and even beyond, these peoples made a life for themselves in a world half way between the land and the sea.
These lands never felt the rule of Rome. But of course these Germanic peoples traded with the Roman Empire for at least four hundred years, so Rome and all she was was not exactly foreign to the Anglo Saxons, or to other peoples outside the imperial realm.
Whatever was the catalyst to do so, the Anglo Saxons in the 3rd century began raiding eastern and southern coastal areas of Britain causing the Roman authorities to build a series of forts and other defenses along the coastal areas most prone to attack. This whole apparatus became known as the ‘Saxon Shore’. Doubtless, it wasn’t just the Saxons who were up to no good, but they must have been most prominent in numbers in justify the title. To the Anglo Saxons, Britain must have seemed a wealthy and rather exotic place, full of palaces and courts, gold and ripe fields. A land of plenty and opportunity. (I suppose anywhere would seem wonderful compared with the Anglo Saxon homeland).
Despite being a pain in the neck to the Romans, some Anglo Saxons eventually settled in eastern Britain and even joined the Roman army. This is however quite some time before the actual Anglo Saxon settlement of Britain would begin.
Whether the folks back home in the Anglo Saxon homeland thought that Britain was a viable option is not known, but as Roman power in Britain waned, so Britain must have seemed more and more like a great place to invest some time and energy. Afterall, the Anglo Saxon lands were the closest non-Roman lands to Britain, and the province could easily be reached after a few days sailing. As a people confident on the water, the North Sea was not a barrier to be crossed; it was perhaps a road to a better way of life.
News of the final Roman withdrawal from Britain in about 408 or 410 AD must have been a hot topic of conversation to those who looked upon the island with envious eyes. And then, all too easy, word was sent to the Angles (in the first instance) that they were welcome to come and settle in eastern Britain to help fend off an anticipated raid by the Picts from northern Britain down into the now newly non-Roman British lowlands. This was great news, and actual invitation to go and live in what had only recently been a rather prosperous Roman province. It must have been like someone from a poorer country today getting permission to go and make a better life in the US or Australia. A ticket to the western world! Wow! Without delay, the Angles set sail and were placed at strategic places along various Roman roads in readiness of the expected Pictish invasion. Whether it actually came is unknown, but the reality was that the Angles had been allowed to settle, with arms, in some rather important places in Britain.
The history of the Saxon settlement of south east Britain, specifically in Kent, is much more shadowy, full as it is of myth, half-remembered stories and hogwash. But the fact is the Saxons did settle in rather large numbers in the south east. Without intending to do so, the Britons had begun to hem themselves in.
To the Anglo Saxons this was a dream come true. Not only did they have a new land, but this one was far nicer than their ancient home. There were towns here, roads, a written language (Latin) great monuments etc. Nothing like this was ever seen in the Anglo Saxon homeland. And not only that, but the British authorities were actual paying some of them to help fight their wars. This was too good to be true!
With the good times rolling in Britain, the Anglo Saxons sent word back across the North Sea to their kinsmen to likewise make the journey over. The more the merrier. Year after year boatloads of settlers paddled over to be warmly greeted and given some nice land in which to farm. Before long, the Anglo Saxon population was expanding hugely. More land was needed.
Either through negotiation, violence or whatever, the Anglo Saxons gained more and more lands in eastern Britain. (Hey, this wasn’t a PC era). The actual events leading to the overthrow of post-Roman Celtic Britain will be saved for another article, suffice it to say that the Anglo Saxons knew they had a good thing going here and were determined not to let it go. They were now living in a Roman province, well a former one, but here they gradually found themselves in control. Through patience, tact, strength and determination, the Anglo Saxons had won a prized possession.
In the centuries ahead the Anglo Saxons made full use of their situation and created one of the most advanced, stable and articulate kingdoms in Europe. Anglaland, eventually England, became a centre of learning, religion and the arts. Of course 1066 brought the Normans who did much to undo the unique achievements of this realm.
posted by Rob at 10:33 PM
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