Welcome
The English Companions promotes interest and research into the Anglo-Saxon era (AD 450-1100). A quarterly magazine, “Widowinde” is published and their website has ongoing information and discussions of interest. An Old English correspondence course enables members to learn both the written and spoken language. Local groups, organised on a scir basis, arrange their own meetings and attend lectures, exhibitions and events; some events attended include “Living History Groups”.
The foundations of today’s England were formed during the years AD450 to 1100 in the period often referred to as “the Anglo-Saxon Age”. By joining the Da Engliscan Gesiðas (The English Companions) you can share an interest with like-minded people and learn of the origins of the English language and literature, about how writing and books developed. You can explore the history and events of the period and be introduced to the lives of notable men and women of the time. Discover how ordinary people went about their everyday lives, what they ate and drank, what clothing and jewellery they wore, their artwork and designs and how this was developed to decorate their timber houses, ironwork, silver and gold, stone sculptures and weaponry. Also discover the people and places after whom many of our towns and cities are named, how the first law codes were created in a pagan society, how coinage developed and the impact and spread of Christianity and how it assisted in the development of kingship and the foundation of the nation state making England one of the richest and most civilised countries in Early Medieval Europe.
The English Companions does not follow any particular interpretation of history and maintains a strictly neutral line on modern political and religious matters.