Anglo-Saxon Entertainment
The Angle, Saxon and Jute are together known as Anglo-Saxon. They are also known as the attacking tribes hence the Angles and Saxons were the largest of the three. They spoke the same languages and each of them was ruled by different warriors. They came fro North-West Europe. They started to invade Britain although the Romans were still in control. They loved fighting. They are very old and do not exist anymore. We know about the occupations and entertainment of Anglo-Saxons because they were buried with all their possessions. The things and objects that have been found from their graves tell us about the entertainment and skills that men and women of Anglo-Saxons tribe had. Because of the fact that Anglo-Saxons used to love fighting, they used horses for the purpose of riding. Horse riding was a primary source of entertainment for Anglo-Saxons.
Hunting, Music making and feasting were also some sources through which the Anglo-Saxons entertained themselves. The Anglo-Saxon entertainment is quite unique and historic. It tells us about the historical changes and progress made in the field of entertainment by the people of that time. They also liked to play board games like dice games, draughts and chess. These games are still popular and are considered a sign of intelligence. There are many kids who get entertained by playing these board games. It not only sharpens their skills in gaming but also they get a chance to win prizes on national and international level. Thus it is entertainment plus learning.
Children of Anglo-Saxons played with balls, hoops and whipping tops. The whipping tops are also known as spinning tops. They used to be mechanical at that time and required a thick string or a rope to spin and speed up the spin. Nowadays there are electrical tops that are played by putting in batteries inside the tops. They are more colorful and innovative. Children also liked to play with carved toys like wooden and clay horses. Small wooden and paper boats were also popular among kids.
During the time of Anglo-Saxon entertainment (450 CE to post 1100 CE), there were games that were the signs of intelligence. There were wooden and clay toys for children for entertainment and chess and draughts for adults. Boys and girls had separate interests in terms of entertainment during the time of Anglo-Saxons. Miniature tools like knives, sharp edge tools were like toys for boys which helped them in getting trained for hunting. For adults the entertainment lied in plough races. The ladies used to mingle during their free time, talked about their daily chores and entertaining things. Adults were also more focused on being physically fit. They did exercises and played sports that require man power. This helped them in getting trained for battles. Thus Anglo-Saxon entertainment helped people in improving their lives.
My Anglo Saxon Warrior!
Anglo Saxon living history group lives there and carries out all the activities of daily life including storytelling round the fire which was one of the great sources of entertainment for the Anglo Saxons, children and adults alike.
The Anglo-Saxon Epic
They also receive entertainment from singers and bards. The mead hall is symbolic of home, unity, fellowship. Anytime a person becomes estranged from the mead hall, they become estranged from that which is elemental to life.
Speak Like an Anglo-Saxon
No TV… but even worse, no internet. No Facebook. No Email. No BBC news website. No DVD-nights. No cinema. No Wii. No radio. No CDs. No Scrabble… The list goes on. But our Anglo-Saxon ancestors didn’t just sit round twiddling.
Mail this post