What Language Did The Anglo Saxons Speak? (Answered!)

The Anglo-Saxons were a migrant group of people from Northern Europe who settled in England during the 5^th and 6^th centuries. Although at the beginning they were divided into smaller settlements and kingdoms, they eventually joined together into a single political realm under King Æthelstan. This became known as the Kingdom of England. The Anglo Saxons spoke Old English.

The arrival of these migrants is detailed in an 8th-century text called the Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Northumbrian monk, Bede.

The text was created in 731 AD and while not a first-hand account of the events, it is authoritative and useful.

The migrants came from three very powerful Germanic peoples known as the Saxons, Angles and Jutes.

Evidence suggests that these tribes first settled in eastern England before moving westward and northwards.

The Jutes settled in Kent, the Isle of Wight and parts of Hampshire, the Angles settled in East Anglia and the Saxons settled in Southern England.

In This Article

What Type of Language Was Old English?

Old English was a Germanic language, and its closest cousins are Old Friesian, Old Norse and Old High German.

Prior to this it is likely that the Jutes, Angles and Saxons shared a similar language that they were able to communicate to each other through.

Once they reached England, this language was standardized and turned into Old English.

Were There Different Dialects in Old English?

Just because Old English was born from the migration of the Jutes, Angles and Saxons and the standardization of their own languages, doesn’t mean that it didn’t develop its own dialects.

There were 4 separate dialects of Old English spoken: Kentish, Mercian, Northumbrian and West Saxon.

What is the most famous Old English Literary Text?

Old English Poetry has survived almost in its entirety through four manuscripts: the Exeter Book, the Junnius Manuscript, the Vercelli Book and the Beowulf Manuscript.

The Exeter Book

The Exeter Book was known for its diversity in subject matter and high level of poetic quality.

It contains about one sixth of all Old English poetry that has been handed down to the modern ages and is possible the oldest Old English poetic text.

It includes two poems by Cynewulf, one of only four Old English poets who are known by their vernacular works to us today.

The Junius Manuscript

The Junius Manuscript was a poetry text written in the 10^th century and deals with Biblical subjects.

The manuscript is comprised of four poems which have been titled by modern editors as Genesisis, Exodus, Daniel and Christ and Satan.

The identity of the author is unknown and for a long time scholars believed it to be the work of Cædmon.

As such the Junius Manuscript earned the title the Cædmon Manuscript though this theory was later discarded.

The Vercelli Book

The Vercelli Book is an anthology of Old English prose. It is comprised of 135 folios and while it was probably compiled and written in the late 10^th century, not all the texts found in the Vercelli Book date to the same period.

As such, it is likely that the scribe who put this together did so over time. Scholars say there is no theme or chronology to the works chosen or the way they are laid out.

The Beowulf Manuscript

The Beowulf Manuscript is the most famous manuscript in Old English.

The manuscript contains smaller works such as The Marvels of the East and a copy of another Old English Poem, Judith.

The main work in the manuscript is Beowulf, the longest Epic Poem in Old English.

It details the incredible story of a conflict and struggle between the hero Beowulf and a monster called Grendel.

Why Were the Anglo Saxons Called Anglo Saxons?

Anglo Saxon was not a term created by the Anglo Saxons themselves.

It seems to be an eighth century invention to help identify Germanic speaking people from those living on the continent.

The term was created through the combination of the names Angles and Saxon, two of the three Germanic tribes that settled in England.

Is Anglo-Saxon Still Spoken Today?

No, Anglo Saxon is not spoken today though its fingerprints can be seen throughout the English language.

There are around 4,500 Anglo-Saxon words used today in English, a language that has over 130,000 words in total.

Words like “boy”, “boyfriend”, “girl”, “girlfriend”, “fickle”, “earning”, “Indian summer” and “Glastonbury” all stem from Anglo-Saxon.

What Languages Are Spoken in England Today?

English is the dominant language in England with roughly 98% of the population speaking it as their first language.

Other languages include Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Irish and Shelta, a language spoken by the Irish Traveller community throughout the United Kingdom.

Does Welsh Come from the Same Family as English?

While Welsh and English are both Indo-European languages, this is as far as the similarities go.

Whereas English is a Germanic language, Welsh is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup.

The reason for the survival of the Welsh language is due to the Angles, Jutes and Saxons being unable to conquer the territory when they invaded.

While Scotland and England fell under their control, Wales managed to repel the attacks due to the remoteness of the land and aspect of the terrain.

The term Anglo Saxons is the name given to three Germanic tribes that came to England from Northern Europe.

These were the Jutes, Angles and Saxons. The name is a combination of two of these.

They spoke Old English, a cousin language of Old Friesian, Old Norse and Old High German.

The greatest Old English literary work is the Epic Poem, Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon has given rise to about 4,500 words in the English language.

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Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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