Year 5 - History
The graves of Anglo-Saxon women
The Anglo-Saxons: how do we know about life in Anglo-Saxon England?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils develop their understanding of the link between sources and historical knowledge. They learn about some of the main historical sources that exist for the Anglo-Saxon period and how historians have used these to present arguments about life in Anglo-Saxon
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand some of the different roles women had in Anglo-Saxon society and how historians know about these.
Key Notes
- 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.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may be confused by the etymology of 'girdle-hangers' .
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
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.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'grave goods'
grave goods are objects buried in people's graves, providing insights into their culture and daily life.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Children may be confused by the etymology of 'girdle-hangers' . Correction: Though they symbolise keys, girdle-hangers are called this because they hang from the girdle (belt or sash).
More Lessons In This Unit
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