Give me 5 - Facts about Anglo-Saxon settlements

1. Anglo-Saxon settlements often began as small, rural communities that were largely self-sufficient. They were primarily agricultural, with the majority of the population engaged in farming. The typical settlement would include a mix of timber-framed houses for living, granaries for storing crops, and workshops for craftwork. The houses were usually rectangular with thatched roofs and often had only one room where all daily activities took place.

2. The layout of an Anglo-Saxon village was not random. Central to the settlement was the 'tun' or enclosure, which provided a communal protective space. The surrounding fertile land, known as the 'infield', was used for growing crops, while the 'outfield' was used for grazing animals. The village also often included a communal oven for baking bread and a smithy for metalworking, indicating a degree of specialisation in trades.

3. Religion played a significant role in Anglo-Saxon settlements, and this was reflected in their architecture and spatial organisation. Initially, many Anglo-Saxons practised a form of Germanic paganism, but with the advent of Christianity, churches became central features of the settlements. These churches were often constructed from wood initially, but later from stone, and they served as religious, social, and administrative hubs.

4. The Anglo-Saxons were also known for their burial practices, which can tell us a lot about their settlements and social structures. Early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries featured a variety of burial customs, including inhumation (burial of the body) and cremation. The presence of grave goods, ranging from jewellery and weapons to everyday items, suggests a belief in an afterlife and indicates the status of the individual within the community.

5. Defence was a crucial aspect of Anglo-Saxon settlements, especially during times of conflict. Many villages were fortified with earthworks such as ditches and wooden palisades. Some settlements evolved into what were known as 'burhs', fortified towns that were part of a network of defences against Viking invaders. These burhs were established by King Alfred the Great and were strategically located to ensure that no part of his kingdom was more than a day's ride from a fortified place.