Anglo-Saxon Pagan Gods

When the Western Roman Empire crumbled, the Anglo-Saxon peoples who occupied Britain brought their own paganism with them. This was Germanic, with a pantheon of deities that included Woden, Thunor, Tiw and Frig. Its temples were wooden structures that leave scant traces in the landscape, but you can find evidence for their beliefs in cemeteries like Sutton Hoo.

This lecture looks at such evidence and at literature such as Beowulf and the history written by the Christian scholar Bede.

A lecture by Ronald Hutton recorded on 1 February 2023 at David Game College, London.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[saulemaroussault]

The dry British academic humour is the cherry on top of the quality education cake. Thank you ! I hope to see more from him.

[Shineon]

By FAR my favourite Gresham Professor: A brilliant mind, encyclopedic memory, gentle humour—and an artist’s sensitivity to his subject….❤

[inregionecaecorum]

Never a dull moment with Professor Hutton.

[ladyjusticesusan]

Thank you so much. I would never otherwise get to listen to Dr. Hutton. This is very appreciated.

[authormichellefranklin]

Prof. Hutton's lectures are always top. Thank you! Please have more of his lectures!

[FindTheFun]

That poem he reads in the beginning, "The Wanderer", is what JRR Tolkien used to base Theodin's speech off of in The Two Towers "Where now are the horse and the rider?"

[julilla]

Another excellent lecture by Prof Hutton. My thanks to Gresham College yet again for making this publicly available.

[lde-m]

I'm from the US (West Virginia specifically) and have a history degree. Anglo-Saxon history was always a favorite and even more so after 30 years of further study and some linguistics thrown in. So fascinating, and the professor even made me giggle-snort several times with his jokes. Can't beat that with a stick.

[findmeallways]

I haven't had the opportunity to hear Professor Hutton speak. It was an absolute pleasure and very informative. Thank you 👍

[dianespears]

Thank you. Prof Hutton is always a new learning experience. Glad to see him at Gresham.

[girlnorthof]

Professor Hutton always delivers the most interesting talks. Thank you ever so much, listening to this made my day!

[berendharmsen]

I've been hunting Ronald Hutton lectures all afternoon after stumbling on one this morning. I can listen to him all day and hopefully will.

[here_we_go_again]

Thank you Ronald Hutton! Your lecture is most informative and entertaining! :)
Thank you Gresham College and David Game College. (Great channel, subscribed)

[BaldingClamydia]

Thank you for a very interesting lecture! This is one of my two favorite lecturers at Gresham :D

[beatleowl]

Thank you for another wonderful lecture from Professor Hutton

[elainemagson]

This is lovely. I opened it by accident and was gripped at once. What a delight to listen to an erudite English voice when most voices on YouTube are rather shrill (and the opposite of educated, alas)
Good old Anglo Saxons! We know so little about them - but who cares! This is a super lecture. Thank you!

[WildBillCox]

An enjoyable hour. Liked and shared. Thanks for posting, Gresham!

[rknowling]

Thankyou for the privilege of hearing Professor Hutton speak!

[Cat_Woods]

I love how he worked in literature enough to keep us feeling connected to the peoples whose history he's discussing.

[alexandragraham]

I wished my history (and other) profs at uni would have been just half as effetely informativ and entertaining. Wonderfull!