Anglo-Saxon
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Anglo-Saxon" refers to the Germanic tribes, primarily the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who migrated to and settled in what is now England during the early Middle Ages, beginning in the 5th century AD. This period, often referred to as the Anglo-Saxon era, lasted until the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Anglo-Saxons played a significant role in shaping the cultural, linguistic, and religious landscape of England, which would later influence the broader Christian world.

Historical Context and Christianization

The Anglo-Saxon period is marked by the gradual conversion of these tribes from their native pagan beliefs to Christianity. This conversion began in earnest with the mission of St. Augustine of Canterbury, who was sent by Pope Gregory the Great in 597 AD to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons. Augustine's mission led to the establishment of Christianity as a dominant faith in the region, with the founding of important ecclesiastical centers such as Canterbury.

The spread of Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, as seen in the Berean Standard Bible: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons was a significant milestone in the history of the Church, as it laid the foundation for the Christianization of the British Isles.

Cultural and Religious Contributions

The Anglo-Saxon era contributed significantly to the development of Christian thought and practice in England. The period saw the production of important religious texts, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Venerable Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People," which provide valuable insights into the early Church in England. Bede, in particular, is celebrated for his scholarly work and his role in documenting the history of Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons.

The Anglo-Saxon Church also played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of biblical texts. Monasteries became centers of learning and scriptural study, reflecting the biblical exhortation to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16). The dedication to scriptural study and preservation during this period ensured that the Word of God continued to be a guiding force in the lives of believers.

Influence on Language and Literature

The Anglo-Saxon influence on the English language is profound, with Old English serving as the linguistic foundation for modern English. This linguistic heritage includes many words and phrases that have biblical origins or connotations, reflecting the deep integration of Christian thought into the language. The translation and interpretation of biblical texts into Old English made the Scriptures more accessible to the Anglo-Saxon populace, fulfilling the biblical mandate to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

Legacy

The legacy of the Anglo-Saxons is evident in the enduring Christian traditions and cultural practices that continue to shape the English-speaking world. Their commitment to the Christian faith and the dissemination of biblical teachings laid a foundation for future generations to build upon. The Anglo-Saxon era serves as a reminder of the transformative impact of the Gospel and the enduring power of God's Word to shape societies and cultures throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The English race, including but not limited to residents of England.

2. (n.) A Saxon of Britain, that is, an English Saxon, or one the Saxons who settled in England, as distinguished from a continental (or Old) Saxon.

3. (n.) The Teutonic people (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) of England, or the English people, collectively, before the Norman Conquest.

4. (n.) The language of the English people before the Conquest (sometimes called Old English). See Saxon.

5. (n.) One of the race or people who claim descent from the Saxons, Angles, or other Teutonic tribes who settled in England; a person of English descent in its broadest sense.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ANGLO-SAXON VERSIONS

an-glo-sax'-on vur'-shuns. See ENGLISH VERSIONS.

Library

Address in Lambeth Chapel, at the First Session of the Lambeth ...
... period of the world's history, when marvellous discoveries have united the people
of divers tongues in common interests, He has placed the Anglo-Saxon race in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iv address in lambeth chapel.htm

The Greatest English Classic
... The monks had but to translate to him bits of the Bible out of the Latin, which
he did not understand, into his familiar Anglo-Saxon tongue, and he would cast ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/the greatest english classic.htm

The Avenging of the Saviour.
... An Anglo-Saxon version, which Tischendorf concludes to be derived from the Latin,
was edited and translated for the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, by CW Goodwin ...
/.../unknown/the avenging of the saviour/the avenging of the saviour.htm

The Papal Power in the Church
... William the Conqueror put an end to the schism which had cut off the Anglo-Saxon
Church from Rome, and drew the Church in England into closer contact with Rome ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter x the papal power.htm

The Gospels in General
... The English word Gospel is derived from the AngloSaxon godspell, composed of god ...
is not improbable, however, that the original form of the Anglo-Saxon word was ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm

A Quick Run Round the World.
... In our modesty we think the Anglo-Saxon, the English-speaking, the greatest
of living peoples. Certainly the leadership of the world ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a quick run round the.htm

The Mediaeval Church in Great Britain and Ireland
... We have seen (p.74) that the native Church of England had not succeeded in converting
the Anglo-Saxon invaders who gradually took possession of the country ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter xii the mediaeval church.htm

Footnotes:
... [8] Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (late Canterbury copy). ... Divine Service was celebrated there
by consent of Egelwin, the last Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Durham. ...
/.../footnotes .htm

Introductory Chapter.
... The austerity and stern duties which marked their manner of life seemed to be possessed
of attractions for the rude Anglo-Saxon; and when the thanes and nobles ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/introductory chapter.htm

Apocryphal Gospels.
... An Anglo-Saxon version, which Tischendorf concludes to be derived from the Latin,
was edited and translated for the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, by CW Goodwin ...
/.../unknown/apocrypha of the new testament/part i apocryphal gospels.htm

Thesaurus
Anglosaxon
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANGLO-SAXON VERSIONS.
an-glo-sax'-on vur'-shuns. See ENGLISH VERSIONS. ...
/a/anglosaxon.htm - 6k

Anglo-saxon
Anglo-saxon. Anglosaxon, Anglo-saxon. Angrily . Noah Webster's Dictionary ... See
ENGLISH VERSIONS. Anglosaxon, Anglo-saxon. Angrily . Reference Bible.
/a/anglo-saxon.htm - 7k

English
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to England, or to its inhabitants,
or to the present so-called Anglo-Saxon race. 2. (a.) See Bond. ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Let (16815 Occurrences)
... LET. (katecho): Usually in the sense of "permit" (Anglo-Saxon, leetan), but also
in Old English with meaning of "hinder" (Anglo-Saxon, lettan). ...
/l/let.htm - 8k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... The two suffixes appear in Middle English as "-hede" and "-hod", and presuppose
in the Anglo-Saxon which lies behind them a feminine "haeda" (which is not ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", ie, word of God,
or rather, according to others, "good spell", ie, good news. ...
/g/gospel.htm - 101k

Angrily (8 Occurrences)

/a/angrily.htm - 8k

Ye (21989 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An old method of printing the article the (AS. /e), the y being used in
place of the Anglo-Saxon thorn (/). It is sometimes incorrectly pronounced ye. ...
/y/ye.htm - 7k

Weak (102 Occurrences)
... See Strong, 19 (a). 22. (vi) Pertaining to, or designating, a noun in Anglo-Saxon,
etc., the stem of which ends in -n. See Strong, 19 (b). 23. ...
/w/weak.htm - 38k

Witch (2 Occurrences)
... the Words: The word "witch" seems to denote etymologically "one that knows." it
is historically both masculine and feminine; indeed the Anglo-Saxon form wicca ...
/w/witch.htm - 24k

Resources
What is the Key of David? | GotQuestions.org

Who was the Venerable Bede? | GotQuestions.org

Is the phoenix mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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