Anglo-Saxon paganism - Revision history

Ulmanor: /* Days of the week */All of them do except Saturday.

2024-09-08T15:25:08Z

Days of the week: All of them do except Saturday.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 15:25, 8 September 2024
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	===Days of the week===		===Days of the week===
	{{Further\|Week-day names}}		{{Further\|Week-day names}}
	~~Four~~ of the modern English days of the week derive their names from Anglo-Saxon deities {{Clarify\|date=March 2020}}.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=863}} These names have their origins in the Latin system of week-day names, which had been translated into Old English.{{sfn\|Fell\|1995\|p=18}}		Six of the modern English days of the week derive their names from Anglo-Saxon deities {{Clarify\|date=March 2020}}.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=863}} These names have their origins in the Latin system of week-day names, which had been translated into Old English.{{sfn\|Fell\|1995\|p=18}}

	The Anglo-Saxons, like other Germanic peoples, adapted the [[week-day names]] introduced by their interaction with the Roman Empire but glossed their indigenous gods over the Roman deities (with the exception of Saturday) in a process known as {{lang\|la\|[[Interpretatio germanica]]}}:		The Anglo-Saxons, like other Germanic peoples, adapted the [[week-day names]] introduced by their interaction with the Roman Empire but glossed their indigenous gods over the Roman deities (with the exception of Saturday) in a process known as {{lang\|la\|[[Interpretatio germanica]]}}:

SimLibrarian: consistent dash style (MOS:DASH), periods only for complete-sentence image captions (MOS:CAPFRAG), non-breaking space use (MOS:NBSP)

2024-08-12T22:34:14Z

consistent dash style (MOS:DASH), periods only for complete-sentence image captions (MOS:CAPFRAG), non-breaking space use (MOS:NBSP)

Show changes

Remsense: Reverted 1 edit by CarolingianCitizen (talk) to last revision by Ingwina

2024-08-03T08:44:18Z

Reverted 1 edit by CarolingianCitizen (talk) to last revision by Ingwina

← Previous revision		Revision as of 08:44, 3 August 2024
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	{{Short description\|~~Pre-Christian religion of the Anglo-Saxons~~}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->		{{Short description\|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
	{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}		{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}
	{{Anglo-Saxon society}}		{{Anglo-Saxon society}}

CarolingianCitizen: Updated short description

2024-08-03T07:04:34Z

Updated short description

← Previous revision		Revision as of 07:04, 3 August 2024
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	{{Short description\|~~none~~}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->		{{Short description\|Pre-Christian religion of the Anglo-Saxons}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
	{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}		{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}
	{{Anglo-Saxon society}}		{{Anglo-Saxon society}}

Ingwina: /* Wights */ This feels like a bad way to do it but I think we really should have a link to the page if we are to use the header. The term is not mentioned in the text body

2024-07-24T19:46:57Z

Wights: This feels like a bad way to do it but I think we really should have a link to the page if we are to use the header. The term is not mentioned in the text body

← Previous revision		Revision as of 19:46, 24 July 2024
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	===Wights===		===Wights===
			{{see also\|Wight}}
	Many Anglo-Saxonists have also assumed that Anglo-Saxon paganism was [[animism\|animistic]] in basis, believing in a landscape populated by different spirits and other non-human entities, such as [[elves]], [[Dwarf (folklore)\|dwarves]], and [[Dragon#Post-classical Germanic\|dragons]].{{sfn\|Meaney\|1999\|p=352}} The English literature scholar Richard North for instance described it as a "natural religion based on animism".{{sfn\|North\|1997\|p=3}} Dunn suggested that for Anglo-Saxon pagans, most everyday interactions would not have been with major deities but with such "lesser supernatural beings".{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=69}} She also suggested that these entities might have exhibited similarities with later English beliefs in [[fairies]].{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=70}} Later Anglo-Saxon texts refer to beliefs in {{lang\|ang\|ælfe}} (elves), who are depicted as male but who exhibit gender-transgressing and effeminate traits; these {{lang\|ang\|ælfe}} may have been a part of older pagan beliefs.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=69}} Elves seem to have had some place in earlier pre-Christian beliefs, as evidenced by the presence of the Anglo-Saxon language prefix {{lang\|ang\|ælf}} in early given names, such as {{lang\|ang\|Ælfsige}} (elf victory), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfwynn}} (elf friend), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfgar}} (elf spear), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfgifu}} (elf gift), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfric}} (elf power) and {{lang\|ang\|Ælfred}} (modern "Alfred", meaning "elf counsel"), amongst others. Various Old English place names reference {{lang\|ang\|[[þyrsas]]}} (giants) and {{lang\|ang\|[[Germanic dragon\|dracan]]}} (dragons).{{sfn\|Stenton\|1941\|p=5}} However, such names did not necessarily emerge during the pagan period of early Anglo-Saxon England, but could have developed at a later date.{{sfn\|Stenton\|1941\|pp=5–6}}		Many Anglo-Saxonists have also assumed that Anglo-Saxon paganism was [[animism\|animistic]] in basis, believing in a landscape populated by different spirits and other non-human entities, such as [[elves]], [[Dwarf (folklore)\|dwarves]], and [[Dragon#Post-classical Germanic\|dragons]].{{sfn\|Meaney\|1999\|p=352}} The English literature scholar Richard North for instance described it as a "natural religion based on animism".{{sfn\|North\|1997\|p=3}} Dunn suggested that for Anglo-Saxon pagans, most everyday interactions would not have been with major deities but with such "lesser supernatural beings".{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=69}} She also suggested that these entities might have exhibited similarities with later English beliefs in [[fairies]].{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=70}} Later Anglo-Saxon texts refer to beliefs in {{lang\|ang\|ælfe}} (elves), who are depicted as male but who exhibit gender-transgressing and effeminate traits; these {{lang\|ang\|ælfe}} may have been a part of older pagan beliefs.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=69}} Elves seem to have had some place in earlier pre-Christian beliefs, as evidenced by the presence of the Anglo-Saxon language prefix {{lang\|ang\|ælf}} in early given names, such as {{lang\|ang\|Ælfsige}} (elf victory), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfwynn}} (elf friend), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfgar}} (elf spear), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfgifu}} (elf gift), {{lang\|ang\|Ælfric}} (elf power) and {{lang\|ang\|Ælfred}} (modern "Alfred", meaning "elf counsel"), amongst others. Various Old English place names reference {{lang\|ang\|[[þyrsas]]}} (giants) and {{lang\|ang\|[[Germanic dragon\|dracan]]}} (dragons).{{sfn\|Stenton\|1941\|p=5}} However, such names did not necessarily emerge during the pagan period of early Anglo-Saxon England, but could have developed at a later date.{{sfn\|Stenton\|1941\|pp=5–6}}

Ingwina: /* Post-Christianization folklore */ Changed the spelling to be consistent with the majority spelling on the page

2024-07-17T06:56:06Z

Post-Christianization folklore: Changed the spelling to be consistent with the majority spelling on the page

← Previous revision		Revision as of 06:56, 17 July 2024
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	The historian Judith Jesch suggested that these beliefs survived throughout Late Anglo-Saxon England not in the form of an active non-Christian religion, but as "cultural paganism", the acceptance of references to pre-Christian myths in particular cultural contexts within an officially Christian society.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|p=57}} Such "cultural paganism" could represent a reference to the cultural heritage of the Scandinavian population rather than their religious heritage.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|p=61}} For instance, many Norse mythological themes and motifs are present in the poetry composed for the court of [[Cnut the Great]], an eleventh-century Anglo-Scandinavian king who had been baptised into Christianity and who otherwise emphasised his identity as a Christian monarch.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|pp=57–59}}		The historian Judith Jesch suggested that these beliefs survived throughout Late Anglo-Saxon England not in the form of an active non-Christian religion, but as "cultural paganism", the acceptance of references to pre-Christian myths in particular cultural contexts within an officially Christian society.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|p=57}} Such "cultural paganism" could represent a reference to the cultural heritage of the Scandinavian population rather than their religious heritage.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|p=61}} For instance, many Norse mythological themes and motifs are present in the poetry composed for the court of [[Cnut the Great]], an eleventh-century Anglo-Scandinavian king who had been baptised into Christianity and who otherwise emphasised his identity as a Christian monarch.{{sfn\|Jesch\|2004\|pp=57–59}}

	===Post-~~Christianization~~ folklore===		===Post-Christianisation folklore===
	{{Quote box\|width=25em\|align=right\|quote="The pagan hierarchical structure disintegrated rapidly in the seventh century in the face of Christianity's systematic organization. But folk practices were all-pervasive in everyday life. The animistic character of Germanic belief prior to Christianization, with its emphasis on nature, holistic cures, and worship at wells, trees, and stones, meant that it was hard to counteract on an institutional level of organized religion... The synthesis of Christian and Germanic ideas gradually transformed these practices, undoubtedly at the local level... In this way Christianity ultimately penetrated the homes and daily lives of the various Germanic peoples in the centuries after the arrival of the first missionaries."\|source=— Historian Karen Louise Jolly, 1996.{{sfn\|Jolly\|1996\|p=45}} }}		{{Quote box\|width=25em\|align=right\|quote="The pagan hierarchical structure disintegrated rapidly in the seventh century in the face of Christianity's systematic organization. But folk practices were all-pervasive in everyday life. The animistic character of Germanic belief prior to Christianization, with its emphasis on nature, holistic cures, and worship at wells, trees, and stones, meant that it was hard to counteract on an institutional level of organized religion... The synthesis of Christian and Germanic ideas gradually transformed these practices, undoubtedly at the local level... In this way Christianity ultimately penetrated the homes and daily lives of the various Germanic peoples in the centuries after the arrival of the first missionaries."\|source=— Historian Karen Louise Jolly, 1996.{{sfn\|Jolly\|1996\|p=45}} }}

LucasBrown at 06:12, 7 July 2024

2024-07-07T06:12:15Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 06:12, 7 July 2024
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			{{Short description\|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
	{{short description\|Polytheistic religious beliefs and practices of the Anglo-Saxons}}
	{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}		{{About\|the pre-Christian religion\|the modern revival\|Heathenry (new religious movement)}}
	{{Anglo-Saxon society}}		{{Anglo-Saxon society}}

Red dwarf: /* Sacrifice */ Grammar and punctuation

2024-06-27T20:21:55Z

Sacrifice: Grammar and punctuation

← Previous revision		Revision as of 20:21, 27 June 2024
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	There are several cases where animal remains were buried in what appears to be ritualistic conditions, for instance at Frilford, Berkshire, a pig or boar's head was buried with six flat stones and two Roman-era tiles then placed on top, while at an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Soham, Cambridgeshire, an ox's head was buried with the muzzle facing down. Archaeologist David Wilson stated that these may be "evidence of sacrifices to a pagan god".{{sfn\|Wilson\|1992\|p=100}} The folklorist [[Jacqueline Simpson]] has suggested that some English folk customs recorded in the late medieval and early modern periods involving the display of a decapitated animal's head on a pole may derive their origins from pre-Christian sacrificial practices.{{sfn\|Simpson\|1967\|pp=194–195}}		There are several cases where animal remains were buried in what appears to be ritualistic conditions, for instance at Frilford, Berkshire, a pig or boar's head was buried with six flat stones and two Roman-era tiles then placed on top, while at an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Soham, Cambridgeshire, an ox's head was buried with the muzzle facing down. Archaeologist David Wilson stated that these may be "evidence of sacrifices to a pagan god".{{sfn\|Wilson\|1992\|p=100}} The folklorist [[Jacqueline Simpson]] has suggested that some English folk customs recorded in the late medieval and early modern periods involving the display of a decapitated animal's head on a pole may derive their origins from pre-Christian sacrificial practices.{{sfn\|Simpson\|1967\|pp=194–195}}

	Unlike some other areas of Germanic Europe, there is no written evidence for [[human sacrifice]] being practised in Anglo-Saxon England.{{sfnm\|1a1=Wilson\|1y=1992\|1p=34\|2a1=Dunn\|2y=2009\|2p=73}} Dunn suggested that had Christian writers believed that such practices were being carried out then they would have strongly condemned them.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=73}} Nevertheless, the historian [[Hilda Ellis Davidson]] expressed the view that "undoubtedly human sacrifice must have been known to the Anglo-Saxons, even if it played no great part in their lives".{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} She suggested that those who were used as victims included slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war, and that such sacrifices were only resorted to in times of crisis, such as plagues, famine, or attack.{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} There has however been speculation that 23 of the corpses at the [[Sutton Hoo]] burial site were sacrificial victims clustered around a sacred tree from which they had been hanged.{{sfnm\|1a1=Ellis Davidson\|1y=1992\|1pp=331–333\|2a1=Reynolds\|2y=1996\|2pp=24–25}} Alongside this, some have suggested that the corpse of an Anglo-Saxon woman found at [[Sewerby]] on the [[Yorkshire Wolds]] suggested that she had been buried alive alongside a nobleman, possibly as a sacrifice, or to accompany him to the afterlife.{{sfn\|Hutton\|1991\|p=274}}		Unlike some other areas of Germanic Europe, there is no written evidence for [[human sacrifice]] being practised in Anglo-Saxon England.{{sfnm\|1a1=Wilson\|1y=1992\|1p=34\|2a1=Dunn\|2y=2009\|2p=73}} Dunn suggested that had Christian writers believed that, if such practices were being carried, out then they would have strongly condemned them.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=73}} Nevertheless, the historian [[Hilda Ellis Davidson]] expressed the view that "undoubtedly human sacrifice must have been known to the Anglo-Saxons, even if it played no great part in their lives".{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} She suggested that those who were used as victims included slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war, and that such sacrifices were only resorted to in times of crisis, such as plagues, famine, or attack.{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} There has however been speculation that 23 of the corpses at the [[Sutton Hoo]] burial site were sacrificial victims clustered around a sacred tree from which they had been hanged.{{sfnm\|1a1=Ellis Davidson\|1y=1992\|1pp=331–333\|2a1=Reynolds\|2y=1996\|2pp=24–25}} Alongside this, some have suggested that the corpse of an Anglo-Saxon woman found at [[Sewerby]] on the [[Yorkshire Wolds]] suggested that she had been buried alive alongside a nobleman, possibly as a sacrifice, or to accompany him to the afterlife.{{sfn\|Hutton\|1991\|p=274}}

	Weapons, among them spears, swords, seaxes, and shield fittings have been found from English rivers, such as the [[River Thames]], although no large-scale [[Wetlands and islands in Germanic paganism\|weapons deposits in wetlands]] have been discovered that are akin to those found elsewhere in Europe.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=870}}		Weapons, among them spears, swords, seaxes, and shield fittings have been found from English rivers, such as the [[River Thames]], although no large-scale [[Wetlands and islands in Germanic paganism\|weapons deposits in wetlands]] have been discovered that are akin to those found elsewhere in Europe.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=870}}

Sausage Link of High Rule at 03:09, 23 May 2024

2024-05-23T03:09:22Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 03:09, 23 May 2024
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	{{Anglo-Saxon society}}		{{Anglo-Saxon society}}
	[[File:Franks Casket vorne links.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.35\|The right half of the front panel of the 7th-century [[Franks Casket]], depicting the Anglo-Saxon (and wider Germanic) legend of [[Wayland the Smith]]]]		[[File:Franks Casket vorne links.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.35\|The right half of the front panel of the 7th-century [[Franks Casket]], depicting the Anglo-Saxon (and wider Germanic) legend of [[Wayland the Smith]]]]
	'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.		'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon polytheism''' refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.

	Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|forced Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by Christianised Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that the followers of the indigenous faith had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].		Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|forced Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by Christianised Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that the followers of the indigenous faith had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].

AllfadrOdinn at 18:35, 10 March 2024

2024-03-10T18:35:06Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 18:35, 10 March 2024
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	'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.		'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.

	Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by ~~Christian~~ Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that ~~these~~ ~~pagans~~ had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].		Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|forced Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by Christianised Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that the followers of the indigenous faith had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].

	Anglo-Saxon paganism was a [[polytheism\|polytheistic]] belief system, focused around a belief in deities known as the {{lang\|ang\|[[ése]]}} (singular {{lang\|ang\|ós}}). The most prominent of these deities was probably [[Woden]]; other prominent gods included [[Thor\|Thunor]] and [[Týr\|Tiw]]. There was also a belief in a variety of other supernatural entities which inhabited the landscape, including [[elves]], [[Nixie (folklore)\|nicor]]s, and [[Germanic dragon\|dragons]]. Cultic practice largely revolved around demonstrations of devotion, including [[sacrifice]] of inanimate objects and animals to these deities, particularly at certain religious festivals during the year. There is some evidence for the existence of timber temples, although other cultic spaces might have been open-air, and would have included cultic trees and megaliths. Little is known about pagan conceptions of an afterlife, although such beliefs likely influenced [[Burial in Anglo-Saxon England\|funerary practices]], in which the dead were either inhumed or cremated, typically with a selection of [[grave goods]]. The belief system also likely included ideas about [[magic (paranormal)\|magic]] and [[European witchcraft\|witchcraft]],{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}} and elements that could be classified as a form of [[shamanism]].{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}}		Anglo-Saxon paganism was a [[polytheism\|polytheistic]] belief system, focused around a belief in deities known as the {{lang\|ang\|[[ése]]}} (singular {{lang\|ang\|ós}}). The most prominent of these deities was probably [[Woden]]; other prominent gods included [[Thor\|Thunor]] and [[Týr\|Tiw]]. There was also a belief in a variety of other supernatural entities which inhabited the landscape, including [[elves]], [[Nixie (folklore)\|nicor]]s, and [[Germanic dragon\|dragons]]. Cultic practice largely revolved around demonstrations of devotion, including [[sacrifice]] of inanimate objects and animals to these deities, particularly at certain religious festivals during the year. There is some evidence for the existence of timber temples, although other cultic spaces might have been open-air, and would have included cultic trees and megaliths. Little is known about pagan conceptions of an afterlife, although such beliefs likely influenced [[Burial in Anglo-Saxon England\|funerary practices]], in which the dead were either inhumed or cremated, typically with a selection of [[grave goods]]. The belief system also likely included ideas about [[magic (paranormal)\|magic]] and [[European witchcraft\|witchcraft]],{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}} and elements that could be classified as a form of [[shamanism]].{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}}

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	There are several cases where animal remains were buried in what appears to be ritualistic conditions, for instance at Frilford, Berkshire, a pig or boar's head was buried with six flat stones and two Roman-era tiles then placed on top, while at an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Soham, Cambridgeshire, an ox's head was buried with the muzzle facing down. Archaeologist David Wilson stated that these may be "evidence of sacrifices to a pagan god".{{sfn\|Wilson\|1992\|p=100}} The folklorist [[Jacqueline Simpson]] has suggested that some English folk customs recorded in the late medieval and early modern periods involving the display of a decapitated animal's head on a pole may derive their origins from pre-Christian sacrificial practices.{{sfn\|Simpson\|1967\|pp=194–195}}		There are several cases where animal remains were buried in what appears to be ritualistic conditions, for instance at Frilford, Berkshire, a pig or boar's head was buried with six flat stones and two Roman-era tiles then placed on top, while at an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Soham, Cambridgeshire, an ox's head was buried with the muzzle facing down. Archaeologist David Wilson stated that these may be "evidence of sacrifices to a pagan god".{{sfn\|Wilson\|1992\|p=100}} The folklorist [[Jacqueline Simpson]] has suggested that some English folk customs recorded in the late medieval and early modern periods involving the display of a decapitated animal's head on a pole may derive their origins from pre-Christian sacrificial practices.{{sfn\|Simpson\|1967\|pp=194–195}}

	Unlike some other areas of Germanic Europe, there is no written evidence for [[human sacrifice]] being practised in Anglo-Saxon England.{{sfnm\|1a1=Wilson\|1y=1992\|1p=34\|2a1=Dunn\|2y=2009\|2p=73}} Dunn suggested that had Christian writers believed that such practices were being carried out then they would have strongly condemned them.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=73}} Nevertheless, the historian [[Hilda Ellis Davidson]] expressed the view that "undoubtedly human sacrifice must have been known to the Anglo-Saxons, even if it played no great part in their lives".{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} She suggested that those who were used as victims included slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war, and that such sacrifices were only resorted to in times of crisis, such as plagues, famine, or attack.{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} There has however been speculation that 23 of the corpses at the [[Sutton Hoo]] burial site were sacrificial victims clustered around a sacred tree from which they had been hanged.{{sfnm\|1a1=Ellis Davidson\|1y=1992\|1pp=331–333\|2a1=Reynolds\|2y=1996\|2pp=24–25}} Alongside this, some have suggested that the corpse of an Anglo-Saxon woman found at [[Sewerby]] on the [[Yorkshire Wolds]] suggested that she had been buried alive alongside a nobleman, possibly as a sacrifice, or to accompany him to the afterlife.{{sfn\|Hutton\|1991\|p=274}}		Unlike some other areas of Germanic Europe, there is no written evidence for [[human sacrifice]] being practised in Anglo-Saxon England.{{sfnm\|1a1=Wilson\|1y=1992\|1p=34\|2a1=Dunn\|2y=2009\|2p=73}} Dunn suggested that had Christian writers believed that, if such practices were being carried, out then they would have strongly condemned them.{{sfn\|Dunn\|2009\|p=73}} Nevertheless, the historian [[Hilda Ellis Davidson]] expressed the view that "undoubtedly human sacrifice must have been known to the Anglo-Saxons, even if it played no great part in their lives".{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} She suggested that those who were used as victims included slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war, and that such sacrifices were only resorted to in times of crisis, such as plagues, famine, or attack.{{sfn\|Ellis Davidson\|1992\|p=338}} There has however been speculation that 23 of the corpses at the [[Sutton Hoo]] burial site were sacrificial victims clustered around a sacred tree from which they had been hanged.{{sfnm\|1a1=Ellis Davidson\|1y=1992\|1pp=331–333\|2a1=Reynolds\|2y=1996\|2pp=24–25}} Alongside this, some have suggested that the corpse of an Anglo-Saxon woman found at [[Sewerby]] on the [[Yorkshire Wolds]] suggested that she had been buried alive alongside a nobleman, possibly as a sacrifice, or to accompany him to the afterlife.{{sfn\|Hutton\|1991\|p=274}}

	Weapons, among them spears, swords, seaxes, and shield fittings have been found from English rivers, such as the [[River Thames]], although no large-scale [[Wetlands and islands in Germanic paganism\|weapons deposits in wetlands]] have been discovered that are akin to those found elsewhere in Europe.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=870}}		Weapons, among them spears, swords, seaxes, and shield fittings have been found from English rivers, such as the [[River Thames]], although no large-scale [[Wetlands and islands in Germanic paganism\|weapons deposits in wetlands]] have been discovered that are akin to those found elsewhere in Europe.{{sfn\|Welch\|2011\|p=870}}

← Previous revision		Revision as of 18:35, 10 March 2024
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	'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.		'''Anglo-Saxon paganism''', sometimes termed '''Anglo-Saxon heathenism''', '''Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian religion''', or '''Anglo-Saxon traditional religion''', refers to the religious beliefs and practices followed by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, during the initial period of [[Anglo-Saxon England\|Early Medieval England]]. A variant of [[Germanic paganism]] found across much of north-western Europe, it encompassed a heterogeneous variety of beliefs and cultic practices, with much regional variation.

	Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by ~~Christian~~ Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that ~~these~~ ~~pagans~~ had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].		Developing from the earlier [[Iron Age]] religion of continental northern Europe, it was introduced to Britain following the [[Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain\|Anglo-Saxon migration]] in the mid 5th century, and remained the dominant belief system in England until the [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England\|forced Christianisation]] of its kingdoms between the 7th and 8th centuries, with some aspects gradually blending into [[English folklore\|folklore]]. The pejorative terms ''paganism'' and ''heathenism'' were first applied to this religion by Christianised Anglo-Saxons, and it does not appear that the followers of the indigenous faith had a name for their religion themselves; there has therefore been debate among contemporary scholars as to the appropriateness of continuing to describe these belief systems using this Christian terminology. Contemporary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon paganism derives largely from three sources: textual evidence produced by Christian Anglo-Saxons like [[Bede]] and [[Aldhelm]], place-name evidence, and [[archaeology\|archaeological]] evidence of cultic practices. Further suggestions regarding the nature of Anglo-Saxon paganism have been developed through comparisons with the better-attested pre-Christian belief systems of neighbouring peoples such as the [[Norsemen\|Norse]].

	Anglo-Saxon paganism was a [[polytheism\|polytheistic]] belief system, focused around a belief in deities known as the {{lang\|ang\|[[ése]]}} (singular {{lang\|ang\|ós}}). The most prominent of these deities was probably [[Woden]]; other prominent gods included [[Thor\|Thunor]] and [[Týr\|Tiw]]. There was also a belief in a variety of other supernatural entities which inhabited the landscape, including [[elves]], [[Nixie (folklore)\|nicor]]s, and [[Germanic dragon\|dragons]]. Cultic practice largely revolved around demonstrations of devotion, including [[sacrifice]] of inanimate objects and animals to these deities, particularly at certain religious festivals during the year. There is some evidence for the existence of timber temples, although other cultic spaces might have been open-air, and would have included cultic trees and megaliths. Little is known about pagan conceptions of an afterlife, although such beliefs likely influenced [[Burial in Anglo-Saxon England\|funerary practices]], in which the dead were either inhumed or cremated, typically with a selection of [[grave goods]]. The belief system also likely included ideas about [[magic (paranormal)\|magic]] and [[European witchcraft\|witchcraft]],{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}} and elements that could be classified as a form of [[shamanism]].{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}}		Anglo-Saxon paganism was a [[polytheism\|polytheistic]] belief system, focused around a belief in deities known as the {{lang\|ang\|[[ése]]}} (singular {{lang\|ang\|ós}}). The most prominent of these deities was probably [[Woden]]; other prominent gods included [[Thor\|Thunor]] and [[Týr\|Tiw]]. There was also a belief in a variety of other supernatural entities which inhabited the landscape, including [[elves]], [[Nixie (folklore)\|nicor]]s, and [[Germanic dragon\|dragons]]. Cultic practice largely revolved around demonstrations of devotion, including [[sacrifice]] of inanimate objects and animals to these deities, particularly at certain religious festivals during the year. There is some evidence for the existence of timber temples, although other cultic spaces might have been open-air, and would have included cultic trees and megaliths. Little is known about pagan conceptions of an afterlife, although such beliefs likely influenced [[Burial in Anglo-Saxon England\|funerary practices]], in which the dead were either inhumed or cremated, typically with a selection of [[grave goods]]. The belief system also likely included ideas about [[magic (paranormal)\|magic]] and [[European witchcraft\|witchcraft]],{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}} and elements that could be classified as a form of [[shamanism]].{{Citation needed\|date=November 2021}}