ANGLO-SAXONS CHRISTIANITY
ANGLO-SAXONS
CHRISTIANITY
The Anglo-Saxons believed in many gods and had many superstitions.
The king of the Anglo-Saxon gods was Woden, a German version of the Scandinavian god Odín, who had two pet wolves and a horse with eight legs.
Other gods were Thunor, god of thunder; Frige, goddess of love; and Tiw, god of war. These four Anglo-Saxon gods gave their names to the days of the week. Tiw became Tuesday, Woden - Wednesday, Thunor - Thursday and Frige - Friday.
Anglo-Saxons were superstitious and believed in lucky charms.
MONASTERIES
In AD597 the Pope in Rome decided it was time the Anglo-Saxons in Britain heard about Christianity.
He sent a monk called Augustine to persuade the king to become a Christian.
Monasteries were centres of learning. Monasteries were the only schools in Anglo-Saxon England.
GRAVES
When Anglo-Saxons died, their bodies were either cremated or buried in a grave.
Men's graves included knives and spears, which suggests hunting, fighting and farming. Women's graves included tools used for sewing and weaving.
ALFRED THE GREAT.
Great Anglo-Saxon kings included Offa of Mercia and Edwin of Northumbria. But the most famous of all is Alfred, the only king in British history to be called 'Great'. Alfred was born in AD849 and died in AD899. His father was king of Wessex, but Alfred became king of all England.
MINSTERS
The first minsters in the English-speaking parts of Britain were founded in the century after the mission to the Saxons led by Augustine of Canterbury in 597.
The term 'minster' was applied by the Anglo-Saxons to all religious communities, whether of monks proper or of secular clergy, a usage which reflects the fact that many early Anglo-Saxon monasteries had assumed the pastoral role which was ultimately the principal distinction of the secular college.
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