BBC Bitesize - History - What was Anglo-Saxon art and culture like?

Question

What crafts did Anglo-Saxon craft workers make? Select all that apply.

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• intricate jewellry

• musical instruments

• homemade toys

• homemade games

• furniture

Question

What jewellry did Anglo-Saxon jewellers make? Select all that apply.

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• rings

• necklaces

• gold ornaments

• brooches

• beads

Question

How many Anglo-Saxons could read and write?

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• all of them

• most of them

• some of them

• few of them

Question

What was the atmosphere usually like at Anglo-Saxon feasts?

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• friendly

• peaceful

• lovely

• noisy

Question

When was the story of Beowulf first written down?

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• 8th or 9th century

• 19th century

• 6th century

• 21st century

Question

What toys did Anglo-Saxon children play with? Select all that apply.

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• carved wooden toys

• iPads

• rag dolls

• games that used dice

• Playstation

Question

What sports did Anglo-Saxon men enjoy? Select all that apply.

Text

The Anglo-Saxons were great craft workers. They made intricate jewellery, musical instruments and homemade toys and games.

They were also keen storytellers. They would gather together in feasting halls and tell thrilling stories. Often their stories would be accompanied by music played on an instrument called a lyre.

The Saxons liked to play with words too. They amused themselves by telling clever riddles.

Anglo-Saxon jewellers made brooches, beads and gold ornaments.

How did they tell stories?

Very few Anglo-Saxons could read or write. All their stories were told to them by their friends and family.

On dark winter days, people gathered in the great hall around a log fire. They listened to stories and poems, feasted and sang songs.

They ate roast meats with bread and fruit, and they drank ale or a strong drink made from honey called mead. People often drank too much, so feasts were usually noisy and sometimes ended in fights!

Anglo-Saxons loved tales about brave warriors and their adventures. A favourite story told how Beowulf, a heroic prince, battled the fierce man-eating monster Grendel.

The story of Beowulf

The story of Beowulf was first written down around the 8th or 9th century, but long before that the story was told around the fire.

What games did they play?

Children played with homemade toys. They had rag dolls and carved wooden toys, as well as games that used counters and dice.

From finds in graves, we know children also had spinning tops and played tunes on pipes made from reeds or animal bones.

Anglo-Saxon men enjoyed sporting pastimes, like wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing. These sports kept them fit for work and strong for war. In swimming races, it was fair to push other swimmers underwater!

• wrestling

• surfing

• horse-racing

• swimming

• fencing