Old English
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Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest attested form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brough
Alfred the Great statue in Winchester, Hampshire. The 9th-century English King proposed that primary education be taught in English, with those wishing to advance to holy orders to continue their studies in Latin.
Her sƿutelað seo gecƿydrædnes ðe ('Here the Word is revealed to thee'). Old English inscription over the arch of the south porticus in the 10th century St Mary's parish church, Breamore, Hampshire
The first page of the Beowulf manuscript with its opening Hƿæt ƿē Gārde/na ingēar dagum þēod cyninga / þrym ge frunon... "Listen! We of the Spear-Danes from days of yore have heard of the glory of the nation-kings..."
2008 05 17 Sutton Hoo crop
Northumbria
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Northumbria was an early medieval English kingdom, existing between 654 and 1066 AD, spanning modern-day Northern England and Southern Scotland.
Page from the Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 700, featuring zoomorphic knot-work.
The Book of Kells, (folio 292r), c. 800, showing the lavishly decorated text that opens the Gospel of John
Sword pommel from the Bedale Hoard, inlaid with gold foil.
Gosforth Cross, view from the north-west