Anglo-Saxon England is a podcast looking at the history of Anglo-Saxon England, beginning with the end of Roman Britain and ending with the Norman Conquest. We will not only talk about the history but also the literature, culture, and historiography of the Anglo-Saxon period. This show strives to offer an accessible but scholarly rigorous overview that will appeal both to beginners and to experts.
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Welcome to The Wanderer: The Anglo-Saxon Podcast, where the echoes of the past meet the voices of today. Journey through the myths, legends, and beliefs that shaped early medieval England as we explore folklore, religion, and history from an Anglo-Saxon perspective. From the wisdom of wyrd to the haunting beauty of Old English poetry, each episode delves into the rich tapestry of a world both mysterious and familiar. Step into the mead hall, listen to the tales of old, and wander through his ...
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Halse! Here, we will talk about Anglo-Saxon history, from 410 to 1066!
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Do the Anglo-Saxons still have relevance? Do they really matter? I’d like to posit that they do, and in this podcast, we'll be hearing directly from the Anglo-Saxons themselves in order to better understand who these people were and how they viewed the world around them. Join me, as we read from Bede's Ecclesiastical History, Alfred's Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Beowulf, and more. areopages.substack.com
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Series 1 is a concise social and political history of England from the 5th to 11th centuries. Series 2 is a social history how society and lordship worked during and directly after the migration period. It then looks at how that culture evolved, as the impact of economic development and the Viking invasions wrought changes in lordship and political structures. It looks also at the landscape - how it affected peoples' lives, how the Anglo Saxons shaped it in turn - and some of the marks ordin ...
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If you read about the English Benedictine Reforms today, the older narrative focused on Dunstan as the its spearhead will have been largely replaced by a view that positions his student Æthelwold as the driving force behind reform. It is Æthelwold who composed the main source texts of English reform and it was he who sought to guide the politics of…
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The Benedictine reforms in England were, in the traditional narrative, spearheaded by three key ecclesiastics: Dunstan, Æthelwold, and Oswald. The exact relationship of these three has been subject to regular revaluation since the late tenth century and I will offer my own revaluation in due time. Starting in this episode, I will present the lives …
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The Beginnings of Benedictine Reform
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13:00
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13:00Although the Benedictine reform movements that found royal favor in England in the late-tenth century are usually associated with King Edgar, their origins predate him quite substantially with roots going all the way back to the reign of Æthelstan. The true origins of Benedictine reform, though, came not from England but from Francia. Credits – Mus…
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Daily life in Anglo-Saxon England, spanning from the 5th to the 11th centuries, was predominantly rural and centred around agriculture. Most people lived in small villages, often comprising fewer than 100 inhabitants, and worked the land to sustain their communities. Homes were modest wooden structures with thatched roofs, typically consisting of a…
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The Church in Late Anglo-Saxon England
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19:26Since a major part of King Edgar’s legacy is based on his advocacy of church reform, it is reasonable to spend some time considering the state of the Church in the mid-tenth century and the role it played in society. It’s easy to fall into rhetoric which assumes that the Church is the same in all places and at all times. This obviously cannot be tr…
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Edgar, son of Edmund, is not that well known today to those not already interested in Anglo-Saxon history, yet there can be no doubt that he, along with Alfred and Æthelstan, is one of the most important rulers in terms of their contribution to the formation of the English kingdom. Through his patronage of Benedictine monastic reforms Edgar oversaw…
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The Peasant Soldier: More Than Just a Farmer The average Anglo-Saxon peasant soldier was not a full time warrior but a member of the Fyrd—a militia of free men called upon in times of war. This system allowed the king or local lords to summon able-bodied men from the countryside to bolster the ranks of professional warriors, known as thegns and hou…
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Following Eadred’s early death the eldest son of Edmund, Eadwig, was finally of an age to become king. Through his uncle’s years of intensifying illness, the court had become adept at governing with minimal royal input. The young and healthy Eadwig was not content to let things proceed as they had under Eadred, however. In attempting to bend the sy…
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When Edmund was killed in 946 his two sons, Eadwig and Edgar, were still just infants. Thus, the witan chose to elevate Edmund’s brother, Eadred, to the throne so as to avoid the dangers of having a child king. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW…
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Anglo Saxon resistance against Norman rule
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9:40Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the Anglo-Saxon populace mounted several resistance efforts against William the Conqueror's rule. These uprisings were driven by widespread resentment towards the oppressive methods employed by Norman authorities and the displacement of Anglo-Saxon landholders. In 1067, Eadric 'The Wild' led one of …
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Edmund was an important ruler in shaping the future course of English history whatever his personal failings. In the end he died too soon to know how he would have fared without his mother or when powerful nobles began to chafe under his authority. Perhaps that is for the best since as it stands he can easily be held in some, albeit qualified, este…
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Last time we looked at how Æthelstan ruled his kingdom but this is only half of the story of his reign. Much like his grandfather Æthelstan sought to forge close links with rulers and ecclesiastics throughout western Europe in an effort to solidify the intellectual, cultural, and political prestige of England on an international stage. Credits – Mu…
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Æthelstan is routinely regarded as one of Anglo-Saxon England’s greatest kings. This is a reputation ascribed to him not only for his military and political achievements, but also for the remarkable impression that his decades on the throne have left in the historical record. The abundance of material provides unparalleled insight into how the roya…
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In Anglo-Saxon England, murder was regarded as a serious crime, and there were various legal practices and customs in place for dealing with it. These practices evolved over the course of the Anglo-Saxon period (roughly 5th to 11th centuries) and were largely shaped by both customary law and Christian teachings. The way murder was handled depended …
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Æthelstan: The First King of England (Part II)
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15:33We look at the second half of Æthelstan's reign from its peak to its complex end. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Social Media - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anglosaxonengland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anglo-Saxon-Eng…
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A book review on SA Swaffingtons The supernatural world of the Anglo Saxons
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5:11S. A. Swaffington’s Exploration of the Supernatural in the Anglo-Saxon World S. A. Swaffington, an acclaimed scholar of medieval cultures, delves deeply into the mysterious and spiritually rich world of the Anglo-Saxons in her recent work, The Supernatural World of the Anglo-Saxons. Swaffington’s research illuminates how the early medieval English …
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Yule is a pagan celebration rooted in Northern European traditions, marking the winter solstice (around December 21–22). It celebrates the return of the sun and the renewal of life. Common customs include burning a Yule log, decorating with evergreens, feasting, and honoring nature’s cycles. Christmas, on the other hand, is a Christian holiday cele…
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Æthelstan: The First King of England (Part I)
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16:57
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16:57The story of Æthelstan from his debated birth to his becoming the first King of England. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Social Media - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anglosaxonengland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anglo-Sa…
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Æthelflæd, one of the most important women in Anglo-Saxon history, ruled Mercia during the reign of Edward the Elder. Through her military endeavours, she was instrumental in securing the reconquest of the southern Danelaw and securing the Kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons from future attack. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.y…
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Edward the Elder (899-924) is often overlooked given the towering fame of his father and son. When we look at his career, though, we find a king whose actions earn him acclaim and criticism. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Social …
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In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle we have not only an account of Anglo-Saxon history but also an attempt at identity creation which served part of the mission to forge a new united English identity from the disparate collection of tribes and kingdoms that was the base of Anglo-Saxon society. Even taken with a hefty spoonful of salt, it is nevertheless o…
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Christianity and the Usurpation of the Heathen Gods of the Anglo-Saxon
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17:32The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity from the 6th to the 8th centuries was a transformative period in British history. It not only marked the decline of the old heathen gods but also represented a profound shift in the cultural and spiritual landscape of England. Christianity spread rapidly across Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, supported by ro…
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We look back on the achievements of King Alfred and ask: how do we define someone as 'great'? Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Social Media - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anglosaxonengland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ang…
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3.4 Cerdic the Founder of England by Paul Harper
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27:35Alfred the Great believed that the House of Wessex stretched back to the earliest days of Anglo Saxon England, to the early 6th century, and that the founder was a warrior - Cerdic. But Alfred was a master of propaganda, and was concerned to position Wessex as the most prestigous of all the kingdoms. So did Cerdic actually exist, or just another fo…
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The Alfredian Renaissance (Part 2)
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18:05One day, when he was a boy, the future Alfred the Great, along with his brothers, was pulled aside by his mother, Osburh. She showed them a book filled with English poetry and promised that she would give it to whichever one of them could learn it by heart the fastest. The young Alfred, smaller than all his brothers, was enchanted by the decorated …
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Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Leather working Leather working was an essential craft in Anglo-Saxon England (circa 5th to 11th centuries) and played a crucial role in everyday life. The Anglo-Saxons were skilled artisans who relied on natural resources for crafting items, and leather was highly prized for its durability and versatility. The leather w…
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The Alfredian Renaissance (Part 1)
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11:23In addition to his military and political achievements, King Alfred also undertook an ambitious plan for intellectual revival meant to restore learning and piety to his new kingdom. In this episode, we meet the men who helped him undertake this massive task. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4…
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Alfred: King of the Anglo-Saxons
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22:19Although he had no way of knowing it, in 878 Alfred secured for Wessex over a decade of peace from Viking attack. In that time, Alfred would set about remaking his kingdom so that it could withstand any future invasions. This program would see innovations on many fronts which would provide greater security for the English people, a more reliable mi…
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How people in Anglo Saxon England viewed the seasons that meant so much to their health, happiness and survival. From the iron-bound Winter, to the freedom and bounty of summer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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As discussed in the previous episode, the Viking invasion of England can be roughly divided into two phases, that which occurred prior to the arrival of the Great Summer Army in 871 and that which occurred after. In late 870, the Norse were at a crossroads. They had recently conquered East Anglia, but their leadership was crumbling. Ivar had depart…
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The spear has been a crucial weapon in English warfare, both for its versatility and its effectiveness in various military contexts. Its use spans from the early medieval period through the Renaissance, reflecting the evolution of military tactics and societal changes. During the early medieval period, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon era (5th to 11…
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The Great Heathen Army that devastated England in the 860s and 870s was, tradition claims, spear-headed by three of the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok. As discussed last time, legend had it that they invaded to avenge their father’s execution at the hands of King Ælle of Northumbria. It is not clear how true this is. But it does serve to lead us into a co…
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Viking activity in England evolved over time. What began as small-scale raids on vulnerable monasteries gradually evolved into attacks on key trading settlements and, ultimately, into full-blown invasion. It is incorrect to suggest that Viking activity was always the same. Rather it became larger and more ambitious as time passed. Credits – Music: …
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3.2 The Fens - Home to Monsters and Hermits
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27:03
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27:03Marie Hilder talks about the 'English Holy Land' during the time of the Anglo Saxons - the landscape, monasteries and hermits -and the tale of Hereward the Wake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Viking looms large over the early medieval period as a whole, despite only erupting onto the scene in the late eighth century, several centuries after the period is usually thought to have begun. They were such a disruptive force that inspired such profound spiritual and cultural shock among the states of Europe that they are even given their o…
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In May 1939, in the shadow of impeding war, Edith Pretty comissioned local archaeologist basil Brown to investigate the largest of a series of mounds on her land - at Sutton Hoo. What they found has become part of England's foundation story. Marie Hilder talks about the 7th century King they found buried there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…
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After just under 70 episodes, we come to a point that I have always imagined as the dividing line in this series: the Norse invasions. What is coming is a huge undertaking, so I wanted to take the opportunity to look back on where we have been; to highlight key themes and to clarify my stance on the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' b…
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The billhook, often referred to simply as a "bill," is a traditional weapon that originated in medieval Europe, primarily used by infantry soldiers. It evolved from an agricultural tool used for pruning and cutting branches. Here's an overview of its use in warfare:Design and FeaturesBlade Shape: The billhook has a distinctive curved blade with a h…
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Surrey, much like Hwicce and Lindsey, has a history that can only be told by looking askance at sources. What emerges, though, is a frontier kingdom that was often subject to the vicissitudes of fate. Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddeni…
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1066 and the Norman conquest undoubtedly came with dramatic change in personel and architecture. But did it extend much below the elites, did it change the depths and fundamentals of English society - or just ripple the surface? After all many have argued that feudalism by another name was already well advanmced by 1066. Hosted on Acast. See acast.…
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