The history group have been looking at King Raedwald, the king of the Angles who is probably buried at Sutton Hoo. We looked at the rise of the powerful Anglo Saxon Kings followed by Raedwalds struggle with accepting Christianity. Apparently he couldn’t make up his mind between the two faiths so in his temple he had 2 altars, one for sacrifice to his pagan gods and one for Christianity.
Raedwald was also a fighting man and was buried with an impressive collection of weapons and protective gear including the iconic helmet. The helmet was in 500 fragments when it was discovered in 1939.but there was enough pieces to be able to make a replica. Cloisonne foils are usually placed behind thin slivers of garnet to reflect the light but foils above the left eye of the helmet are missing so would have appeared duller. Perhaps the king was making a statement about his descent from Woden the god who sacrificed his left eye for knowledge.
Rædwald is likely to have spent much of his time at his hall at Rendlesham. In the great hall deals were struck and allegiances made, ideas discussed, news and stories shared, not to mention great feasts accompanied by music.
They Anglo Saxons also enjoyed riddles. Can you solve these:
- Four dilly-dandies
Four stick standies
Two crookers
Two lookers
And a wig wag
2. My home is not quiet but I am not loud.
The lord has meant us to journey together.
I am faster than he and sometimes stronger,
But he keeps on going for longer.
Sometimes I rest but he runs on.
For as long as I am alive I live in him.
If we part from one another
It is I who will die.
The answers to these riddles can be found here