Anglo-Scandinavian

Anglo-Scandinavian is an academic term referring to the hybridisation between Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures in Britain during the early medieval period. It remains a term and concept often used by historians and archaeologists,^[1] and in linguistic spheres.^[2]

Hogbacks in St Mary's Church, Gosforth, Cumbria

Although evidence for interconnection between Scandinavia and England is present throughout the entire early medieval period, two major concentrations of Scandinavian settlement are evident: the creation of the Danelaw during the mid-ninth century, and the conquest of Sweyn Forkbeard and Cnut in the 1010s.

Archaeology

There are a number of artefact types that appear only within Scandinavian-occupied England, and thus appear to be exclusively 'Anglo-Scandinavian'. Norse bells, like the examples found at Cottam B, are found nowhere in Scandinavia and only within Norse colonies.^[3]: 305 The hogback form of stone grave markers is unattested in the rest of the Scandinavian world.^[3]: 306 An argument for hybridity has also been constructed from the varying range of burial practices evident within the Danelaw, rather than the more standardised diagnostic patterns of burial we see in Scandinavia: Richards has suggested that 'rather than searching for burial-types that can be matched in Scandinavia we should therefore be looking for the creation of new cultural identities' ^[4]

Linguistics

Lewis-Simpson has advanced the argument that Danelaw personal names are a direct reflection of this process of hybridity.^[5]

See also

• Scandinavian York