A short guide to Anglo-Saxon life

The Anglo-Saxons came to Britain from parts of northern Europe after Roman rule ended. They began settling here from around AD 410. Many people lived in small villages and worked as farmers. They grew crops such as wheat and kept animals, including cattle and sheep. Anglo-Saxon homes were often made with wooden frames, woven sticks and a covering of mud and straw. This building method is called wattle and daub. A home might have had one main room, where people cooked, ate and slept. Clothes were often made from wool or linen. A tunic was a long shirt, and people could fasten clothes with a brooch. Some villages had a large hall where people gathered to eat, talk and celebrate. Skilled craftspeople made useful things such as pots, tools and jewellery. Researchers learn about the past by studying objects, buildings and written records. When taking notes, it is helpful to record short facts rather than copy whole sentences.