Beormingas facts for kids

The Beormingas were an ancient tribe or group of people who lived in Anglo-Saxon England. Their name means "Beorma's people" in Old English. Beorma was likely their leader when they settled in Britain, or perhaps a legendary ancestor. The city of Birmingham gets its name from this tribe, as "Birmingham" means "home of the Beormingas".

Who Were the Beormingas?

The Beormingas were an important tribe or clan during the time of Anglo-Saxon England. They lived in a specific area that might have been an early administrative region, like a county, within the Kingdom of Mercia. Mercia was one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Where Did They Live?

The land of the Beormingas covered a large area that is now part of the West Midlands in England. Historians have figured out their territory by looking at old church areas and estates. This area stretched from West Bromwich in the west to Castle Bromwich in the east. It also went from the southern parts of Sutton Coldfield in the north to the northern parts of Kings Norton and Northfield in the south. This means they lived in what is now the greater Birmingham area.

How Did Birmingham Get Its Name?

The name of the famous city of Birmingham comes directly from the Beormingas tribe. When you hear "Birmingham," you are actually saying "the home of the Beormingas." This shows how important these early settlers were to the history of the region.

Their Important Churches (Ministers)

In early Anglo-Saxon times, important churches called minsters often served as centers for tribal lands. Two such minsters have been found in the Beormingas' territory. One was at Harborne. Its church area included places like Edgbaston, Handsworth, West Bromwich, Great Barr, Selly Oak, and probably Birmingham itself.

The other minster was at Aston. Its church area covered places like Erdington, Castle Bromwich, Deritend, Water Orton, and Yardley. The name "Aston" suggests it might have been a smaller church linked to Harborne. This means Harborne was likely the main church for the Beormingas tribe.

Where Did the Beormingas Come From?

The Beormingas were probably of Anglian origin. The Angles were one of the main groups who settled in Britain during the Anglo-Saxon period. They gradually moved into the valley of the River Trent, spreading upstream from the Humber Estuary.

The location of Birmingham suggests that the Beormingas might have been part of the Tomsaete. The Tomsaete were known as the "Tame-dwellers" because they lived near the River Tame. They were an important group within the Kingdom of Mercia.