Anglo-Saxon Religion

The Anglo-Saxons were pagans when they first came to Britain.  This means that they worshipped lots of different gods and buried many treasures with their dead. The days of the week are named after early Anglo-Saxon Gods: Monday - The Moon is the Goddess of hunting. She wears a white robe and carries a bow and arrow. Tuesday - Tiw is the God of war. He dresses like an Anglo-Saxon warrior and carries a battle-axe. Wednesday - Woden is the chief God. He dresses like a king and carries a spear to show his authority. Thursday - Thunor is the God of thunder. He dresses like a warrior and carries a bolt of lightening. Friday - Freya is the Goddess of love and the wife of Woden. She carries no symbols because she is so beautiful. Saturday - Saturn is the God of fun and feasting. He is fat and jolly. Sunday - The Sun is the God of life. He is often shown as a youth with a sun halo. In AD597 the Pope in Rome sent a missionary called Augustine to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. King Ethelbert of Kent allowed him to build a church in Canterbury. Christianity then spread to other parts of Britain and churches, usually built of wood alongside existing watchtowers, were built in Anglo-Saxon villages all over Britain under the Pope's orders. Christians only followed one God and believed in peace. As Anglo-Saxons were converted from pagan beliefs to Christian ones, they changed their way of life and became less warlike.