Anglo-Saxon: Facts About Their Houses and Homes
The Anglo-Saxons arrived in Britain from the mid 5th century onwards. They came from the countries of what is now known as Scandinavia in northern Europe.
Here are some facts about Anglo-Saxon houses and homes.
- The size of Anglo-Saxon homes varied a lot, from about 3 x 3.5 metres, to larger homes of up to 10 x 10 metres. The largest house in a village was always the chief’s hall.
- Anglo-Saxon houses were nearly always built of wood and had thatched roofs. The remains of some houses have been found, allowing us to understand what they looked like.
- Most houses had only one room, which was used for everything including sleeping, eating, cooking and entertaining. Oxen were often kept at one end of the room.
- There was no glass in the windows, which were simply narrow slits which let in the rain and wind along with the light. To get as much light and heat as possible, houses were built facing the sun.
- The Saxons liked to live in small settlements in the countryside. However, some of them built houses inside the walled Roman towns and cities, as they would offer good defence.
- The Anglo-Saxons also used tents a lot, especially for armies who were on the move. They probably used them as churches and to keep animals in, as well as for sleeping.
- Although almost all furniture in Anglo-Saxon houses was made of wood, the Saxons had folding iron chairs. Typical furniture included chests, benches, a table and bed, and tapestries on the wall for warmth.
- Chairs were not used very often, and most people sat on the floor or on benches to eat their meals. The table was covered with a table cloth during meal times.
- Wooden fences were built around villages, for protection from wild boars and wolves. Many villages were built near the sea or a river
What next? Find out more about the Anglo-Saxons by visiting our Anglo-Saxon resources page.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer
COMMENTS
Anglo Saxon Houses. We know what Saxons houses may have looked like from excavations of Anglo Saxon villages, such as the one at West Stow in the east of England. Here, an early …
Introduction. What was England like? England looked very different 1,600 years ago when the Anglo-Saxons came to our shores. Much of the country was covered in thick oak forests. Most of England's one million people lived in the …
The Anglo-Saxons were warrior-farmers and came from north-western Europe. They began to invade Britain while the Romans were still in control. The Anglo-Saxons were tall, fair-haired men, armed with swords and spears and round …
Check children's understanding of Anglo-Saxon homes with this worksheet. Can they identify whether the statements about Anglo-Saxon houses are true or not, and correct them if they …
Saxons Homework Help for Kids. Who invaded England next? In the ninth century (Year 800), 400 hundred years after the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, the country came under attack …
Explore more than 19 "Anglo Saxon Houses" resources for teachers, parents and pupils as well as related resources on "Anglo Saxon House". Instant access to inspirational lesson plans, …
This lesson plan is for Lesson 1: 'Who Were the Anglo-Saxons?', part of the Anglo-Saxons topic pack for KS2 History. This lesson plan shows the national curriculum points and …
Discover a variety of interactive Anglo-Saxon activities and fascinating facts about Anglo-Saxons on this Homework Help page designed especially for kids. Engage in fun and …