Anglo-Saxons

The **Anglo-Saxons** were the dominant people living in England from the mid-5th century AD until the Norman conquest in 1066. They spoke Germanic languages and are identified by Bede as the descendants of three powerful tribes. These were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They created seven kingdoms in England. They never conquered Wales but Anglo-Saxon kings did claim overlordship from time to time. Some Anglo-Saxons came to Britain as warriors, but others came ly to become farmers or to raise families.

## Anglo-Saxon migration 
It is not known how many Anglo-Saxons actually came to Britain between the 4th and 6th century AD. Many sources say large numbers of Anglo-Saxon settlers arrived. Because of this, some of the native Britons moved west, towards Wales and Cornwall. Others went to Armorica and became the Bretons. The language of the Anglo-Saxons, Old English, became the main language in southern Britain. A few Celtic and Latin words were borrowed into Old English.

In the areas such as Kent, Sussex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, many of the native Britons may have been driven out. In other areas, some Britons likely remained and were absorbed into Anglo-Saxon society. In 2011, a historian suggested that about 1 or 2 Anglo-Saxons came to England for every 10 Celts that were already there. But he sometimes used the names *Angli* and *Saxones* for the same people in different parts of his writings. In Book I, Chapter 15 he said that by invitation of King Vortigern "Angles *or* Saxons" came to Britain in three longships. Modern authorities confirm that Angles, Saxons, Frisians and some Jutes did come to England during this migration time period.

Certain styles of jewellery are recognized by archaeologists as being typical of Anglian, Saxon and Jutish areas in Northern Europe. But why the name England came to be used for the country and English for the language is not clear. In Old English the people called themselves *Engle,* and in Latin they were called *Angli,* but nothing suggests the Angles made up the largest percentage of the Germanic peoples in Britain. the English language, *Saesneg*, and things related to England, *Seisnig*. In the Scottish Gaelic language the word for an English person is *sasannach* and in Irish the word is s*asanach*.

## Art 
Anglo-Saxon art before the time of Alfred (who ruled from 871 to 899) is a mixture of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic techniques and styles. The Sutton Hoo treasure is an excellent example of very early Anglo-Saxon metalwork and jewellery. It came from a royal grave of the early 7th century. The period between Alfred and the Norman Conquest saw a distinct Anglo-Saxon style in art. This was due in part to the revival of the English economy and culture after the end of the Viking raids. This later style appears to have been in touch with trends in western Europe.

Anglo-Saxon art is mainly known today through illuminated manuscripts. Manuscripts were not the only Anglo-Saxon art form, but they have survived in much greater numbers than other types of objects. People in Europe at the time regarded Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing and embroidery as especially fine. The most common examples of Anglo-Saxon art are coins. Anglo-Saxon artists also worked in fresco, ivory, stone carving, metalwork and enamel, but few of these pieces have survived.

## Literature
Old English literary works include epic poetry, biography, sermons, Bible translations, legal works, chronicles, riddles and others. In all there are about 400 surviving manuscripts from the period.

A very famous work from this period is the poem *Beowulf*. It has achieved national epic status in Britain. The *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* is a collection of important early English history. ''Cædmon's Hymn'' from the 7th century is the earliest attested literary text in (Old) English. One of the most valuable and important sources on Anglo-Saxon history is Bede's *Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation*.

## References 
## Other websites 
* On the origins of Britons - according to Brian Sykes
* Fides Angliarum Regum: the faith of the English kings
* Anglo-Saxon origins: the reality of the myth  by Malcolm Todd