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The Anglo-Saxons and Sutton Hoo

Study note

Once the Romans had gone, Britain was invaded by tribes from northern Europe. These were the Jutes, the Angles and the Saxons, together usually called the Anglo-Saxons. Their importance to Britain is huge, because their languages form the basis of modern English.

By about AD 600, the Anglo-Saxons had established a number of kingdoms, mostly in the land that we now call England. Importantly, when they first arrived these peoples were not Christians. Christianity spread among them only later, through the work of missionaries.

One of the most striking discoveries from this age is the burial at Sutton Hoo, in what is now the county of Suffolk. There an Anglo-Saxon king was laid to rest inside a whole ship, surrounded by treasure and armour, and the ship was then covered over by a great mound of earth. Not all of Britain fell under Anglo-Saxon control, however, as much of Wales in the west, and Scotland, remained free of their rule.

Memory tip: Jutes, Angles, Saxons; kingdoms by AD 600; Sutton Hoo ship burial in Suffolk.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 6 · choose two

Select TWO of the tribes that invaded Britain after the Romans left.

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Show all questions and answers for The Anglo-Saxons and Sutton Hoo(6 questions with explanations)

The Anglo-Saxons and Sutton Hoo: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Select TWO of the tribes that invaded Britain after the Romans left.

    • The Romans
    • The Normans
    • The Saxons
    • The Angles

    Correct answer: The Saxons and The Angles

    The Angles, Saxons and Jutes invaded Britain after the Romans left.

  2. 2. The languages of which invaders are the basis of modern English?

    • The Romans
    • The Vikings
    • The Normans
    • The Anglo-Saxons

    Correct answer: The Anglo-Saxons

    The languages of the Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons and Jutes) are the basis of modern English.

  3. 3. At which place in Suffolk was an Anglo-Saxon king buried in a ship with treasure?

    • Lindisfarne
    • Skara Brae
    • Sutton Hoo
    • Maiden Castle

    Correct answer: Sutton Hoo

    An Anglo-Saxon king was buried in a ship at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

  4. 4. By about which year were Anglo-Saxon kingdoms established in Britain?

    • AD 1215
    • AD 1066
    • AD 43
    • AD 600

    Correct answer: AD 600

    By about AD 600, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had been established.

  5. 5. Much of what is now Wales and Scotland remained free of Anglo-Saxon rule.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Parts of the west, including much of Wales, and Scotland stayed free of Anglo-Saxon rule.

  6. 6. Which of these statements is NOT true?

    • The Angles and Saxons settled in Britain after the Romans left
    • The Anglo-Saxons were Christians when they first arrived
    • An Anglo-Saxon king was buried in a ship at Sutton Hoo

    Correct answer: The Anglo-Saxons were Christians when they first arrived

    The Anglo-Saxons were not Christians when they arrived; Christianity spread later through missionaries.

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