Dan Snow's History Hit Everything You Need to Know about the Anglo-Saxons
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Jun 15, 2021 
Marc Morris, a distinguished medieval historian and author of The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, dives into the tumultuous Anglo-Saxon period. He unpacks the shift from Roman rule to chaotic warlords and explores the complexities surrounding early English identity. Topics include the significance of archaeological finds like the Hoxne Hoard, the integration of Germanic settlers, and how Viking threats shaped a collective Anglo-Saxon identity. Morris expertly illustrates the foundations of what would eventually become England.
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Sparse Sources Shape Our View
- The Anglo-Saxon period is crucial yet hard to study because written sources are sparse compared to later eras.
- Marc Morris explains that collapse after Rome created warlordism and left few native written records until Christianity restored literacy.
Hoarding And Grave Goods Mislead Identity
- Archaeology shows increased hoarding and grave goods as Roman Britain declines, reflecting social fear and change.
- Morris warns artifact styles can't reliably identify ethnic identity because locals could adopt newcomer goods quickly.
Cultural Takeover Through Practical Skills
- Immigration scale is uncertain, but likely substantial rather than total population replacement.
- Morris argues newcomers' simpler, self-reliant lifestyles let them dominate as Roman specialist roles collapsed.
