Acculturation of Anglo-Saxon Beliefs & Practices

Staff Writer

Table of Contents

In every culture or religion, some enormous practices and beliefs have and continue to influence our human society and civilizations. In this brief essay, I will describe how the entire world has directly or indirectly assimilated the culture and religion of the Anglo-Saxons and how they have influenced our social and political lives. You may declare yourself a Christian, Buddhist, Jew, Hindu, or Muslim, following the practices and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon world. This is acculturation. Arguably, Britain was once occupied by pagans - the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.

The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes

The ‘Angles’ (old English) refers to one of the many Germanic peoples who settled in Britain (5th - 6th centuries) after the Romans had come and gone. These settlers found many kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon England. Their name eventually becomes the root of the name England (that is, ‘Land of Angle’).

The ‘Saxons’ were identified as a group of early Germanic peoples who occupied a large country near the North Sea coast. In today’s reckoning, the area in Germany. However, towards the end of the Roman Empire, the name Saxon referred to Germanic coastal raiders.

The ‘Jutes’ were notably one of the three most powerful German nations and one of the Anglo-Saxon tribes who settled in England when the Romans left.

Beliefs

Like many pagan religions, the Angles and Saxons worshipped different gods and each god played definite or many roles in their lives and was linked with one or many mythological feats, such as immortality, birth, love, death, family, agriculture, sea, war, night, and day to name a few.

To draw a picture of how the pagan life of the Anglo-Saxons had impacted our social and political lives, I will describe how the ‘days of the week’ were named after some ancient gods of the Angles and Saxons.

Moon 

The Moon is the goddess of hunting. By way of illustration, the Moon is shown as wearing a white robe and carrying a bow and arrow. Monday is associated with her.

Tiw 

Tiw is the god of War. In Anglo-Saxon mythology, Tiw is a warrior and carries a battle axe. Tuesday is associated with it.

Woden 

Woden is the Chief god. This god is portrayed as a king and carries a spear to show his authority. Wednesday is linked to his name.

Thunor 

Thunor is the god of Thunder. He is a warrior and carries a bolt of lightning. Thursday is associated with it.

Frigg (Freya) 

Frigg is the goddess of Love and is Woden’s wife. She is incredibly beautiful. Friday is associated with it.

Saturn 

Saturn is the god of fun and festivals. And of course, one of the planets is named Saturn. Saturday is associated with it. Saturday is still a day for fun and festivals to this day.

Sun 

Sun is the god of life. He is portrayed as a young person with a sun halo. Sunday is associated with him. Sunday is still regarded as a special day by many Christians.

Then, there were other gods and the interpretations of the things they did.

Balder 

Balder is the god of Immortality.

Eostre 

Eostre is the god of Birth, and the name and interpretation of Easter can be linked to him.

Hel 

Hel is the god of Death.

Saxnot 

Saxnot is the god of the Family.

Wade 

Wade is the god of the Sea.

Wayland 

Wayland is the god of Metalworking.

Following from the above, one cannot but infer that we inherited the beliefs and practices of the Anglo-Saxon peoples. What was their tradition is now part of our tradition; when I say ‘our’ I mean the secular and the Christian worlds. Anglo-Saxon traditions have had some transcultural impacts, especially on some social and political milieus.   

Further Reading

From English Fellowship and Cultural Society 2014. ‘Religion’ (https://www.englishfellowshipandculturalsociety.org.uk/history-pages/kingdoms/religion/)

From Children’s British History Encyclopedia 2014. ‘Anglo-Saxon Religion’ (https://history.parkfieldict.co.uk/anglo-saxons/anglo-saxon-religion)

From the University of Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, 2005. ‘What did the early Anglo-Saxons believe in?’(https://anglosaxondiscovery.ashmolean.org/Death/belief_info.html)

The Religion of the Pagan Anglo-Saxons and Vikings 2014. (https://www.archaeology.wyjs.org.uk/vikingweb/religionanglo.htm)

 

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