From Runes to Ruins // Anglo-Saxon History Documentary

'From Runes to Ruins' a documentary film by Thomas Rowsell, about Anglo-Saxon paganism.
Independently produced and funded, it is the first documentary to cover the topic of English paganism specifically.

All over Britain there are people whose lives are influenced by the largely forgotten culture of the Anglo-Saxon barbarians who founded England. There are landmarks, place names and aspects of our language which are remnants of Anglo-Saxon paganism. It is from Woden, the god of war, that we take the name for the third day of the week, Wednesday (Woden’s day). There are many places around England named after Woden, like the ancient earthwork of Wansdyke which was probably a cult-centre of the god. In this film, Tom Rowsell, an expert in the paganism of early medieval England, travels around the country looking at places like Wansdyke and talking to people whose lives are influenced by the Anglo-Saxons and their pagan religion. The film features all kinds of peculiar characters; like neo-pagans worshipping Thor in Oxfordshire, the leader of the London Longsword Academy and historical re-enactors who like nothing more than to get dressed up in armour and swing axes at each other.

From Runes to Ruins combines amusing and characterful interviews with informative history all presented with beautiful cinematography and an original and haunting synth soundtrack.

Despite the significance of Anglo-Saxon paganism to the history of Britain, no one has ever made a documentary exclusively on this subject. In this film, Thomas Rowsell reveals a forgotten aspect of English history that many are oblivious to, by uncovering paganism in runes and ruins

Angelsächsisches Heidentum - Mit Untertitel in Deutsch.

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[joshuag]

I paid for this film a few years ago - I was happy to support it and the filmmaker financially. Good call on uploading it onto YouTube for free. It’s a good documentary and deserves to reach a wider audience

[picklerick]

From an American of English descent whose family has been over here for 350 years-keep up the good work, cousin.

[pedro]

At a time when Britain's heritage seems to be under attack from every direction, documentaries like this are really important. Fantastic work and thanks for sharing.

[michaelormerod]

Tom Roswell is a seriously important asset.
Incorruptible in the face of the pressures that would leave all humanity without any understanding of who they are and from where they came. he is our shield.
Hail Woden

[Son-of-Tyr]

Watching this documentary for the first time. Absolutely brilliant. Beautiful, real. The shop owner speaking about how people are being drawn to Viking age Germanic culture due to people wanting more than facebook, the internet and decadence was so wonderful and true. Some of us want our roots back, we want to be reconnected with our ancestors and their culture because it was meaningful and real. Just amazing. Great documentary, I loved it.

[sco]

When you talk about the Ash Rune being found on a sword you can also consider how Ash is viewed in the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem:

"The ash is very tall, dear to men,
stout in its trunk, its hilt is rightfully fixed,
although it fights against many men."

[staceya]

The contemporary war against the Saxon might not be being waged on the battlefield, but it's a war nonetheless. This documentary feels like a timely reminder of the strength (and beauty!) that lies in our blood, faith and heritage. Thanks for uploading, StJ. Stirring stuff.

[joefalko]

I haven’t a single drop of Anglo-Saxon blood in my body, and yet I am so proud to live in a Nation whose traditions largely descend from these people. The Constitution of the United States is often assumed to be based off of the Roman system due to the usage of the word “Senate, ” but in University I explored its origins in both Indigenous American (Iroquois) governance and, obviously, English governance. But beyond that, I traced the most important foundational structures, both political and cultural, from the Anglo-Saxons and even to Germanic systems such as the Moot/Thing. When Christianity came, the Saxons did not meekly surrender their traditions, they adopted whatever was practical and carried on with a majority of their culture. When the Normans came and imposed their will, the Barons fought back and restored their ancient rights in the Magna Carta. When Charles imposed his will on the English people, his head was taken, as was Cromwell’s (posthumously) when he crossed similar lines. Our American founding fathers; Washington, Adams, Jefferson - they were the Earls and Carls of their age, restoring their ancient traditions and privileges that were challenged by King George. I am not a Saxon by blood, I am a Saxon by language, tradition, and philosophy. I am a Saxon because I, and I alone, can choose how to live my life, and have the right to never concede my beliefs, what I believe is right, to anyone, a luxury my ancestors never received in their homelands. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the people who would create England. May they never be forgotten.

[africanlatinochinaman]

This is probably the most hopeful and encouraging thing ive watched in a long time. Fantasic work as always cant wait for more.

[SchnauzbaertigerKanisterkopf]

Very well-made documentary about an interesting topic, which is sadly overlooked by modern media. Becoming a patron was definitely a god choice!

[whsthqu]

Honestly this is the kind of content I want to see, not politically angry, not boringly laid out facts, just a well researched interesting documentary

[croatianwarmaster]

Odličan dokumentarac, vjerojatno najbolji za poviest Englezkog naroda. Hvala Tome! 🇬🇧 pozdrav iz Hrvatske 🇭🇷

[richb]

Excellent video Tom. In Wednesbury a local High School is called Wodensborogh, and we also have The Woden Pub. Good to see some traditions are still being kept alive, albeit in a small way. I have heard the site which is now Saint Bartholomew's Church, used to be a place of worship to Woden. Keep up the good work.

[bladevamp]

I rented this a while ago, so glad it’s readily available, so atmospheric, although I already live and breathe this era, this gives me goosebumps at the The thought of or forebears

[TheRick]

I’m finally in a position to donate. Love this channel and will start donating.

[sigurdfenrisson]

From the North American diaspora, thank you so much Thomas!🙏🏻❤️

[martinrow]

So well done that when it opened I looked out the window to see what the birds were up to. Beautiful job in all respects. Thank you for sharing.

[v.a.l.i.s.]

Superb! In this age of darkness and ignorance, your films shine a light on our shared past and illuminate the present. I've been enriched by many of your videos and hope you'll continue to provide such excellent uploads in the future. They're a light in the darkness and banality of the modern world, friend. Health to you and yours!

[RobWalker]

I hadn’t realised that this was available Tom, otherwise I’d have happily paid in order to watch. I obviously wasn’t paying enough attention

[alexanderwebb]

I remember when I first came across this documentary in a small online study group.
My life has changed so much, thank you for everything you do Mr. Rowsell.