Anglo Saxon Life in Britain: Exploring a Forgotten Era

Anglo Saxon Life in Britain: Exploring a Forgotten Era

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will have a comprehensive understanding of what life was like for the Anglo Saxons in Britain.

Introduce the learning objective and set expectations for the lesson.

What do you already know about Anglo Saxon life in Britain?

Who were the Anglo Saxons?

The Anglo Saxons were Germanic tribes who migrated to Britain from the 5th to the 7th centuries.

Provide a brief overview of the Anglo Saxons and their migration to Britain.

Settlements and Society

Anglo Saxon society was organized into small villages and communities called 'tuns'. They had a hierarchical social structure.

Explain the structure of Anglo Saxon society and mention 'tuns' as their settlements.

Daily Life and Roles

Anglo Saxon life revolved around agriculture, farming, and animal husbandry. Men were primarily responsible for warfare and hunting, while women managed households and cared for children.

Describe the daily life activities and gender roles in Anglo Saxon society.

Religion and Beliefs

The Anglo Saxons followed a polytheistic religion with gods and goddesses such as Woden, Thor, and Freya. They believed in the concept of fate and the afterlife.

Discuss the religious beliefs and practices of the Anglo Saxons.

Art and Culture

Anglo Saxon art was intricate and included metalwork, jewelry, and manuscript illumination. They also had a rich oral tradition of storytelling and poetry.

Highlight the artistic and cultural contributions of the Anglo Saxons.

The Impact of the Viking Invasions

The Viking invasions in the 9th and 10th centuries greatly disrupted Anglo Saxon life, leading to significant social and political changes.

Explain how the Viking invasions affected the Anglo Saxon way of life.

Legacy of the Anglo Saxons

Despite their eventual defeat and Norman conquest, Anglo Saxon culture and language left a lasting impact on Britain.

Discuss the lasting legacy of the Anglo Saxons in Britain.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.