When we talk about 'English', we often think of it as a single language. But what do the dialects spoken in dozens of countries around the world have in common with each other, or with the writings of Chaucer? Claire Bowern traces the...

A traveller from Gaetland arrives to ask for help in fighting the terrifying creature Grendel, and defend Heorot, the hall of King Hrothgar.

Join our historians in a look at the Battle of Maldon in 991AD. We visit the actual location of the battle, explore the Anglo Saxon Chronicles and discuss the Ealdorman Brythnoth's reasonings for fighting using critical thinking and...

After Grendel's mother attacks the celebrating Heorot, Beowulf and his men pursue her. Inside the sea cave, Beowulf fights the terrible Sea Hag.

Having arrived in Heorot, Beowulf and his men get ready to face the terrifying Grendel when he attacks.

Howcast - Learn if Wiccans practice witchcraft from Wiccan High Priestess Phyllis Curott in this Howcast video.

Anglo-Saxon Kings Family Tree | England's "Dark Ages" 410 - 927 CE

This video provides a detailed account of the Viking invasions in England during the 9th century, focusing on key battles and the rise of King Alfred amidst the turmoil. It highlights the strategic maneuvers, fierce battles, and...

Trace the origins of the ceremony back to King Edgar in 973. Learn how the symbolism and traditions evolved over time, including the establishment of Westminster Abbey as the consistent location. Understand the role of religion,...

Part one of the farming series describes a thegn and explains his position within the Saxon community.  He explains how ceorls and slaves help farm his land and talks about the food they grow and animals they keep.

A Saxon woman explains what the chieftain's house was like and the compound and buildings around it. She also describes a poorer house and explains why they kept their animals inside their houses

Discover how the Normans settled the land by building churches and monasteries and explains how the locals paid rent to the church which in turn paid taxes to the king.

This video covers the cause of the Norman invasion in 1066.  Despite King Edward making, William Duke of Normandy heir to the English throne, Harold Godwinson stole the crown.

A Saxon thegn describes a gemot, witan, the dooms and a Hundred Court together with some of the punishments handed out to those found guilty.

A Saxon woman describes a typical village house and explores what people drank, ate and how they cooked.  It also includes where they went to the toilet.

Part two describes how, during the battle, William Duke of Normandy had fallen and the effect it had on morale.

This video looks at place names and their Saxon origins, like the word 'bury' meaning fortified place which lends its name to Banbury, Shaftsbury, Salisbury.  It also covers some county name origins like Essex coming from the East Saxons.

This video covers the early Norman castles, how the motte and bailey was constructed and mentions some of the first stone castles like Chepstow and Pevensey.

A Norman sailor describes the lead up to the invasion from the Norman perspective; the ships, the supplies and the crossing to England

The Viscri fortified church is a Lutheran fortified church in Viscri Bra_ov County, in the Transylvania region of Romania. It was built by the ethnic German Transylvanian Saxon community at a time when the area belonged to the Kingdom of...

The largest fortified church in southeastern Europe, Prejmer was built by Teutonic knights in 1212-1213. The church, built in a cross-like plan, was completed in 1225 and later adapted to the Cistercian style. The nave features...

In part one, a Norman soldier describes the start of the battle of Hastings including a description of Taillefer, the juggler who entertained the Normans before the battle started

A thegn warrior, serving King Athestan, describes the armour he wears and his weapons, such as the kite shield and battle axe.

This video explores five fun facts about Anglo-Saxons.