List of Anglo-Saxon deities facts for kids

The Anglo-Saxons were an ancient people who lived in England a long time ago. Before they became Christians, they had their own beliefs and worshipped many gods and goddesses. We don't know a lot about their religion because there aren't many written records from that time. Most of what we know comes from later Christian writers, like Bede. We also compare their beliefs to those of other Germanic peoples, like the Norse (Vikings), who worshipped similar gods.

Main Anglo-Saxon Gods and Goddesses

The Anglo-Saxons worshipped several important gods and goddesses. Many of these deities are similar to those found in Norse mythology. In fact, some of our weekday names come from these ancient gods!

Woden: King of the Gods

Woden was a very important god. He was seen as the king of the gods and the god of wisdom. He is very similar to the Norse god Odin. The name for the day Wednesday comes from Woden.

Tiw: God of War

Tiw was a god of war. He might have also been a sky god. He is like the Norse god Tyr. The name for Tuesday comes from Tiw.

Thunor: God of Thunder

Thunor was the god of thunder. He is very similar to the Norse god Thor. The name for Thursday comes from Thunor.

Frig: Goddess of Marriage

Frig was the wife of Woden. She was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. The name for Friday comes from Frig.

Ing: God of Fertility

Ing was likely a god of fertility. He helped crops grow and families have children. He is thought to be another name for the Norse god Freyr.

Other Anglo-Saxon Deities

Besides the main gods, there are other deities that we know less about. Their stories and roles are not as clear.

Ēostre: Spring Goddess

Ēostre is a goddess mentioned by Bede. She is believed to be connected to spring and new beginnings. The word Easter might come from her name.

Erce: Earth Mother

Erce, also called Folde or Eorðe, was seen as the "Mother of Earth." She is mentioned in an old Anglo-Saxon poem about farming.

Rheda: Another Goddess

Rheda, or Hrēða, is another goddess mentioned by Bede. We don't know much about her specific role.

Gods from Other Sources

Some deities are not directly mentioned in old texts but are believed to have existed. We learn about them from other clues, like old words or stories.

Siȝel: The Sun Goddess

Siȝel is an Old English word for 'sun'. In related religions, the sun was a goddess. She was often seen as the sister of the moon god.

Mona: The Moon God

Mona is the Old English word for 'moon'. In related religions, the moon was a god. He was often seen as the brother of the sun goddess. The name for Monday comes from Mona.

Gods in King Lists

Some old lists of kings mention gods as ancestors. This shows how important these deities were to the Anglo-Saxons.

Bældæġ: Son of Woden

Bældæġ is mentioned as a son of Woden in some king lists. He might be the same as the Norse god Baldur.

Seaxnēat: Saxon Patron God

Seaxnēat was likely a special god for the Saxons, one of the main Anglo-Saxon groups.

Wecta: Another Son of Woden

Wecta is mentioned in several king lists. He might also be a son of Woden.

Other Supernatural Beings

The Anglo-Saxons also believed in other magical creatures and spirits.

Modra: The Mothers

Modra means 'the Mothers'. They were celebrated at a festival called 'Modraniht'. They might be connected to similar mother figures in other ancient beliefs.

Nicors: Water Spirits

Nicors were water spirits. They are mentioned in the famous Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. They are like water monsters or spirits found in other old stories.

Wælcyrge: Battle Maidens

Wælcyrge are similar to the Norse Valkyries. These were powerful female figures who chose who would live or die in battle. They might have been brought into Anglo-Saxon beliefs from Norse stories.