The graves of Anglo-Saxon women
I can understand some of the different roles women had in Anglo-Saxon society and how historians know about these.
The graves of Anglo-Saxon women
I can understand some of the different roles women had in Anglo-Saxon society and how historians know about these.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The graves of Anglo-Saxon women have provided various objects that provide clues about their lives and status.
- One Anglo-Saxon woman's grave in Canterbury seems to be of a high status woman as it contained lots of fine jewellery.
- A brooch of foreign silver and garnet, likely to be a gift from the Kentish king, shows women could hold high status.
- Girdle-hangers have been found, imitating keys or latch-lifters, suggesting women controlled access to the home.
- Alongside domestic goods in female graves, they seem to symbolise the idea that women controlled access to the home.
Keywords
Grave goods - grave goods are objects buried in people's graves, providing insights into their culture and daily life
Brooch - a brooch is a decorative pin used to fasten clothing together or as a fashion accessory
Girdle - a girdle is a belt or sash worn around the waist, typically used to hold clothes in place or as a fashion accessory
Symbolise - to symbolise means to represent or stand for something else, often conveying a deeper meaning or significance
Domestic - something domestic is something related to the home, like household chores or items inside the house
Common misconception
Children may be confused by the etymology of 'girdle-hangers' .
Though they symbolise keys, girdle-hangers are called this because they hang from the girdle (belt or sash).
To help you plan your year 5 history lesson on: The graves of Anglo-Saxon women, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 history lesson on: The graves of Anglo-Saxon women, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Anglo-Saxons: how do we know about life in Anglo-Saxon England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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