Sources
There is a wide range of source material pertaining to Anglo-Saxon England.
There are literary sources:
- Historians in the Middle Ages
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a series of documents that charted Anglo-Saxon history from the mid-fifth century until 1066 (although one version extends till 1154). These were commissioned during the reign of Alfred the Great in the 9th century.
Other written sources include:
- Law codes. For example, there were four sets that originated in the seventh century; the first three were issued by the Kings of Kent: Æthelberht I, Hlothhere, Eadric, and Wihtred: the Law of Æthelberht, the Law of Hlothhere and Eadric, and the Law of Wihtred. The fourth was that of Ine of Wessex.
- The Charters were a series of legal documents that were primarily (although not exclusively) grants of land to individuals by the kings of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
- Biographies, hagiography, letters and poetry.
- Domesday Book. Although compiled in 1086, after the Norman Conquest, one of its functions was to ascertain who held what land and the taxes due under Edward the Confessor.
Non-literary sources include:
- Archaeology. Anglo-Saxon settlement can be traced by following burial patterns and land usage.
- Architecture
- Toponymy
- Numismatics
- genetics
Read more about this topic: Anglo-Saxon England
Famous quotes containing the word sources:
“No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)
“The American grips himself, at the very sources of his consciousness, in a grip of care: and then, to so much of the rest of life, is indifferent. Whereas, the European hasn’t got so much care in him, so he cares much more for life and living.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“On board ship there are many sources of joy of which the land knows nothing. You may flirt and dance at sixty; and if you are awkward in the turn of a valse, you may put it down to the motion of the ship. You need wear no gloves, and may drink your soda-and-brandy without being ashamed of it.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)