The Anglo-Saxons were tribes of Germanic peoples who settled in Britain from the 6th century to the 8th century, founding what we now know as Angle-land, or England.

The Saxons were so called after they’re characteristic blade design, the sax. The word angle derives from proto Indo European angaz, meaning narrow, as Northern Germany and Southern Denmark produce a narrow peninsula. This peninsula is the place of the Angles’ origin.

Their music is often praise to the Germanic gods, tales of virtue and later, after Christianization, odes to Biblical figures, such as the 13th century work Stond wel moder under rode, meaning “Be well, mother at the cross.

Wæelhaell (Anglo Saxon equivalent of Valhalla):

Stond wel, moder under rode:

Deor:

Miri it is while sumer ilast:

Song of praise to the god Thunor (modern imitation):

Beowulf (The Epic poem sung from start to finish):