Clothing
Anglo-Saxon clothing was made of three different materials, wool was
usually used for slaves or poorer peoples, linen was a fine material
used for garments worn close to the skin by more wealthy people, and
finally silk, silk was a very expensive material only used by the very rich
people. Men wore knee length tunic, trousers, and leather shoes. Also
an under tunic was worn by wealthier peasants. Women would wear a
gown of ankle length with an under dress. Men and women would both
carry a knife called a seax to show their freedom.
usually used for slaves or poorer peoples, linen was a fine material
used for garments worn close to the skin by more wealthy people, and
finally silk, silk was a very expensive material only used by the very rich
people. Men wore knee length tunic, trousers, and leather shoes. Also
an under tunic was worn by wealthier peasants. Women would wear a
gown of ankle length with an under dress. Men and women would both
carry a knife called a seax to show their freedom.
Food
The Anglo-Saxons had many food options, still not as many as we have
today. They grew wheat, rye, oats, and barley for bread, brewing, or
animal fodder, also carrots, cabbage, and peas or beans. For meat they
ate pork, beef, goat, and sheep, but they would also catch fish. They caught
Eels and pike, minnows and turbot, trout and lampreys and other small fish
that they could catch, eat, and sell. They fished with nets, spears, or wicker
traps.
today. They grew wheat, rye, oats, and barley for bread, brewing, or
animal fodder, also carrots, cabbage, and peas or beans. For meat they
ate pork, beef, goat, and sheep, but they would also catch fish. They caught
Eels and pike, minnows and turbot, trout and lampreys and other small fish
that they could catch, eat, and sell. They fished with nets, spears, or wicker
traps.
Art
Most of the surviving Anglo-Saxon art is seen in illuminated manuscripts,
Anglo-Saxon architecture, some fine ivory carvings, and metalwork.
Metalwork is one of the few types of surviving Anglo-Saxon art, Pagan
Anglo-Saxon artists mostly used Germanic animal style for their work,
but later began to develop their own character. Round disc shaped
brooches were made and used for the grandest pieces. The most
popular finds are the helmet and matching fittings of a buried king.
Ivory carvings began more important in the later years, most ivory
was from marine animals (such as the walrus) imported from the
further north the carvings would show historical christian scenes.
Anglo-Saxon architecture, some fine ivory carvings, and metalwork.
Metalwork is one of the few types of surviving Anglo-Saxon art, Pagan
Anglo-Saxon artists mostly used Germanic animal style for their work,
but later began to develop their own character. Round disc shaped
brooches were made and used for the grandest pieces. The most
popular finds are the helmet and matching fittings of a buried king.
Ivory carvings began more important in the later years, most ivory
was from marine animals (such as the walrus) imported from the
further north the carvings would show historical christian scenes.
Architecture
Architecture was without a doubt the Anglo-Saxons greatest skill.
If you look back in history and look at the Anglo-Saxon culture the
most common thing you will see is their achitecture.
The thing they built most of were their churches. They built many
of the churches around 950 when the older ones were destroyed in
Viking pilages. One of the only ancient Anglo-Saxon churches to survive
in the greensted church in Essex (left). It was founded in 845, it has a
brick exterior and a nave that is made of vertical oak logs. Also they made
houses to stay, shops to sell goods, and towers for the royalty.
If you look back in history and look at the Anglo-Saxon culture the
most common thing you will see is their achitecture.
The thing they built most of were their churches. They built many
of the churches around 950 when the older ones were destroyed in
Viking pilages. One of the only ancient Anglo-Saxon churches to survive
in the greensted church in Essex (left). It was founded in 845, it has a
brick exterior and a nave that is made of vertical oak logs. Also they made
houses to stay, shops to sell goods, and towers for the royalty.