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Anglo-Saxon Daily Life

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Anglo-Saxon Daily Life

Read the information and seasonal table. Then answer the questions using evidence from the page. Anglo-Saxon life varied by place, wealth and time period, so not every family lived in exactly the same way.

Read: Work, home and community

Anglo-Saxon settlers began arriving in Britain from parts of northern Europe during the 5th century. By the 7th century, many communities lived in small villages. Most people farmed. They grew crops such as wheat, barley and oats, and kept animals including cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. Farming depended on the seasons and hard physical work. Many homes were built from timber, with walls made from woven sticks covered in clay and a roof of thatch. A central hearth provided warmth and a place to cook, but smoke could make the inside uncomfortable. Families made or repaired many things they needed. People spun wool and wove cloth; skilled craftspeople might make pottery, tools or jewellery. Work was shared in different ways, but roles were not identical in every household. Women often prepared food, made textiles and cared for children, while also contributing to farm work. Men often ploughed fields, looked after livestock or made tools. Children learned practical skills and helped with tasks suited to their age. Some people were enslaved and had very little freedom. Society also included kings, nobles and free people, with different amounts of power and wealth. Many early Anglo-Saxons followed pagan beliefs and worshipped several gods. Christianity spread gradually from the late 6th century onwards. Over time, monasteries and churches became important, and Christian beliefs influenced learning, art and burial customs. Change happened over generations, rather than all at once.

Village evidence

A family’s work changed with the season. This example shows possible tasks, not a timetable followed by every Anglo-Saxon household.

Season

Possible farm or household work

Spring

Sow crops; care for young animals

Summer

Tend crops; repair fences and tools

Autumn

Harvest crops; store food for winter

Winter

Mend clothing; make and repair household goods

Explore the evidence

Use the reading and seasonal table to solve each task.

1.Choose the best answer.

During the 1st century
In the fifth century
During the 11th century
During the 15th century

2.According to the seasonal table, name one important job for an Anglo-Saxon family in autumn.

3.Complete the sentence: Many Anglo-Saxon houses had timber frames, walls of woven sticks covered with , and roofs of .

4.Select all the crops that the reading says Anglo-Saxons grew.

Wheat
Barley
Oats
Potatoes
Tomatoes

5.The family is gathered around its central hearth. Give one benefit and one problem the hearth could cause inside the house.

6.Christianity replaced pagan beliefs in every Anglo-Saxon community immediately when it first arrived.

TrueFalse

7.Match each season with the task that the table gives for it.

Spring
Autumn
Winter

Harvest crops and store food
Mend clothing and household goods
Sow crops and care for young animals

8.The reading says children helped with tasks suited to their age. What does this suggest about how children learned practical skills?

9.Name two groups mentioned in the reading and explain one way their power, wealth or freedom could differ.

10.A visitor says, “Every Anglo-Saxon family had exactly the same jobs and beliefs.” Use two details from the reading to explain why this claim is unreliable.