After the Roman departure in the early 5th century, different groups settled in Britain from elsewhere in europe.  

The principal tribes were the Saxoms, the Angles and the Jutes. ‘England’ is named after one of these tribes. But which one?

It was believed that Woden (Odin to the Vikings), the chief of the gods, had two birds that brought information to him from across the world. But what kind of birds were they? 

The Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings believed in multiple gods. We still celebrate these gods every week, though we might not realise it!

Tiw, Woden, Thunor and Frige were Anglo-Saxon gods. Which days of the week are named after them?

Amethyst is a gemstone that people have used to make jewelry for thousands of years. More Anglo-Saxon amethyst beads have been found in Kent than anywhere else in the country! 

Amethyst was prized in many cultures because of its colour. People often associate its colour with royalty, wealth, piety and power. What colour is amethyst? 

What am I? 

The stuff I’m made of rhymes with my name 

I could be used on a Lion’s mane 

I have a row of fine teeth but I do not bite 

Though I rid you of tiny creatures that might 

Anglo-Saxon Britain wasn't ruled by one person, Kent was just one of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. King Alfred the Great of Wessex, who also ruled over Kent (871-99 BC), was the only British king able to beat the Vikings in battle.

By AD 1016, however, the Vikings had conquered the whole of Britain and elected the leader of their army as King. But what was the Viking King’s name?

This 9th Century, Anglo-Saxon gold dragon pendant was found in Monkton in Kent.  

The Anglo-Saxons thought of dragons as guardians of burial grounds and treasure and this idea has influenced a lot of English literature!  

Which TWO of these famous stories involve dragons guarding treasure? 

In AD 597 the Pope sent a monk to England to persuade the king to become a Christian. Over the 100 years that followed, churches and monasteries were built and many Anglo-Saxons left the pagan gods behind (for the most part) and converted to Christianity.  

The monk founded an abbey in Canterbury. The abbey would eventually become one of the grandest and most important spiritual sites in Europe and the monk would eventually be made a saint! 

You can see what remains of this important site in Canterbury today, but what is it called? 

This artefact dates from AD 900 - 1000. This is a copy of an object found in 1939 in the grounds within Canterbury Cathedral. It can be found in The English and the Vikings case at The Beaney.

This artefact dates from AD 900 - 1000. This is a copy of an object found in 1939 in the grounds within Canterbury Cathedral. 

ollowing the death of King Cnut, the rule of England briefly returned to the Anglo-Saxons.

Edward the Confessor (of the House of Wessex) was brought out of exile in Normandy and became King in 1042.

When Edward died heirless it led to a fierce dispute for the rule of England. What famous battle took place in 1066 and marks the end of the Anglo-Saxon period?