Anglo-Saxon pastimes

Anglo-Saxon feasts

Feasts were held in the lord's hall. During the winter months everyone who was loyal to the lord would gather around the fire for a feast. At a feast people would eat roast meats, bread and fruit and drink beer or mead, a drink made from honey.

Entertainment

As they ate and drank, the Anglo-Saxons listened to songs and stories about brave warriors and their adventures. One of the Anglo-Saxons' favourite stories was about Beowulf, a heroic prince who killed several monsters. Beowulf was first written down in the 8th to 9th centuries, many years after it was first told.

Music was played to accompany the songs and poems. The most popular instrument was the lyre.

Riddles and runes

The Anglo-Saxons liked to play with words and amused themselves by telling riddles, some of which were written down. See if you can solve the riddle below:

I appear on the ground like a blanket,

and melt in the midday sun.

Early Anglo-Saxons wrote using letters called runes. They believed runes had magical powers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/anglosaxons/pasttimes/index.shtml