The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion

Anglo Saxon heathenism the polytheistic beliefs of the Anglo Saxons before Christianisation centred on a sacred, animistic relationship with nature, worship of gods such as Wōden, Thunaer and Frēo, and veneration of sacred groves and pillar-like objects like the Irminsul. Folk Horror draws heavily on that same soil the fear of the wild, the power of ancient gods (or at least the suggestion of them), the sense that the land itself might remember or punish, and that archaic rituals and pagan rites leave a shadow from the past. In other words Folk Horror often dramatises a world where the pre Christian beliefs and taboos of peoples like the Saxons are not safely buried with time but instead linger in the landscape, seeping into isolated villages or forgotten woodlands. That lingering past becomes a source of dread the “folk” are not just people, but memory, land-spirits, and uncanny religious forces that refuse to die.

What Are “Anglo-Saxon Tales”?“Anglo-Saxon” refers to the people who settled in what is now England from roughly the 5th to the 11th centuries (the Angles, the Saxons, the Jutes, etc.)Their tales are the stories, poems, myths, legends, riddles, and heroic narratives produced by or for those people mostly in Old English.Oral tradition was very important. Storytellers (often called scops) would recite or sing tales to an audience, sometimes accompanied by music (like lyres).Only a minority of people could read and write. When tales were written, it was usually by monks in monasteries. That means many stories survive today only because someone decided to write them down much later.

A Bonus Episode: This episode tells an original story about a brave girl and the mythical little People of the forests.In Anglo-Saxon England, the "little people" referred to supernatural beings like elves and dwarves, who were believed to inhabit the world alongside humans. These beings were not seen as inherently good or evil, but rather as forces to be respected and, sometimes, feared. Elves Anglo-Saxons believed in elves, known as "ælfe" in Old English, who were associated with both helpful and harmful actions. They were believed to be capable of causing illness (elf shot) and were also connected to names like Ælfred (Alfred), suggesting they could also bring good fortune. Dwarves Dwarves, or "dweorgas" in Old English, were believed to live in mountains and barrows (burial mounds). They were often depicted as skilled smiths who might assist humans if approached with respect and offerings. Other Beings Anglo-Saxon beliefs also included other supernatural beings, but elves and dwarves were the most prominent "little people" in their worldview. These beings were not simply figures of myth; they were part of the Anglo-Saxon understanding of the world and influenced their daily lives through rituals and charms designed to appease or ward them off. 

From the 5th to the 11th centuries, Anglo‑Saxon England was shaped by a rich tapestry of religion and magic: early on, villagers and warriors honored a polytheistic pagan pantheon—Wōden, Thunor, Tīw, Frīge—worshipped in groves, springs, and timber sanctuaries, alongside a belief in spirits such as elves and dwarfs.Embedded in daily life were practices of magico‑medicinal healing and protective charms—meticulously recorded in manuscripts like Bald’s Leechbook and the Lacnunga, exemplified by the Nine Herbs Charm As Christianity spread from the 7th century onwards, pagan rites and witchcraft—terms rooted in Old English words like wicca and hæġtesse—were increasingly criminalised by church law codes and royal decrees Yet, despite official condemnation, folk magic persisted, practiced by “cunning folk” renowned for healing and charms, forging a syncretic culture at the crossroads of ancient pagan customs and emerging Christian norms

Daily life in Anglo-Saxon England, spanning from the 5th to the 11th centuries, was predominantly rural and centred around agriculture. Most people lived in small villages, often comprising fewer than 100 inhabitants, and worked the land to sustain their communities.Homes were modest wooden structures with thatched roofs, typically consisting of a single room where families cooked, ate, and slept together. These dwellings were part of self-sufficient villages that relied on farming and local resources for survival .Society was structured into distinct classes: at the top were the thanes, the Saxon upper class who enjoyed hunting and feasting; below them were the churls, free peasants who worked their own land; and at the bottom were the thralls, slaves who performed laborious tasks .The majority of Anglo-Saxons were farmers, cultivating crops like wheat and barley, and raising livestock. Some were skilled craftsmen, producing tools, jewelry, and textiles. Women played vital roles in the household and economy, engaging in activities such as weaving, baking, and dairy production .Life was challenging, with hard work and limited comforts, but communities were tight-knit, and traditions were strong. The Anglo-Saxons laid the foundations for many aspects of English culture and society that would follow in the centuries to come.Warfare was a significant aspect of Anglo-Saxon life. Most able-bodied freemen were expected to serve in the fyrd, a local militia mobilised during times of conflict. These part-time soldiers provided their own weapons and supplies, balancing military duties with their agricultural responsibilities .On the battlefield, the Anglo-Saxons employed the formidable shield wall tactic, where warriors stood shoulder to shoulder, interlocking their shields to form a solid defensive line. This formation was central to their combat strategy, as seen in battles like Maldon and Hastings .Weapons commonly used included spears, swords, axes, and seaxes (single-edged knives). While bows and arrows were less prevalent, they were occasionally used. Defensive gear comprised shields, helmets, and mail shirts, though such armor was typically reserved for wealthier warriors due to its cost In response to persistent Viking invasions, King Alfred the Great restructured the military by establishing a network of fortified towns known as burhs. These strongholds served both as defensive positions and administrative centres, enhancing the kingdom's ability to repel attacks and maintain order Thus, warfare was deeply intertwined with daily life in Anglo-Saxon England, influencing social structures, settlement patterns, and the evolution of military strategies.