Anglo-Saxon coins
I can explain how archaeologists and historians have used Anglo-Saxon coins to infer things about life in Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Anglo-Saxon coins
I can explain how archaeologists and historians have used Anglo-Saxon coins to infer things about life in Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All the coins found at Sutton Hoo were Frankish, showing how well connected Kent and East Anglia were to Europe.
- Roman influence continued: Offa made coins making him look like an Emperor with Romulus, Remus and a wolf on the back!
- Whilst major towns collapsed after the Romans left, evidence of coins suggested they grew again under the Anglo-Saxons.
- Anglo-Saxon kings such as Offa began to mint their own coins at growing towns in places like London and Canterbury.
- These, along with lots of pottery, show how towns grew due to the increasing wealth and trade in Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that Offa was the only Anglo-Saxon king to mint coins.
Offa was the first, but other kings minted coins with their head on too. The Archbishop of Canterbury has also been found on coins as well as Offa's queen: Cynethryth.
Keywords
Franks - the Franks were a Germanic tribe that were very powerful in early medieval Europe, particularly in modern-day France
Mint - to mint means to make a coin by stamping metal; it can also be used as a noun to describe where coins are made
Pottery - pottery refers to objects made of clay that are shaped and then fired at high temperatures to harden them
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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