The Anglo-Saxons Were a Patchwork of Cultures
Most people are familiar with the term “Anglo-Saxon,” often associated with the period following the fall of Roman Britain in the early 5th century. However, the Anglo-Saxons were not a single unified group. They were a mix of tribes that migrated from what is now Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands to England. These tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, brought their own distinct cultures and customs. In fact, the term "Anglo-Saxon" only came into widespread use much later, as historians sought to describe a period in which these different cultures came together to form the early foundations of England.
The Viking Invasion Was Not Just About Raids
When we think of the Viking Age, images of longships and pillaging often come to mind. However, the Viking invasions of England were far more complex than simple raiding. The Vikings, particularly those from Denmark, established the Danelaw, a large region of England where Danish law and customs prevailed. The Vikings didn’t just conquer; they also settled, traded, and integrated into English society. In fact, many English towns and cities, especially in the north, owe their origins to Viking settlements. The name "York," for example, comes from the Viking name “Jorvik,” and many English words, including days of the week (like Thursday, derived from Thor’s Day), have their roots in Old Norse. shutdown123