This is a page that contains a selection of quotes from, or about Anglo-Saxon England. All the quotes are in relation to the Heathen religion of the Anglo-Saxons, whether it be a simple piece of information or a law condemning it. Or it may be a quote which could have a strong Heathen influence. The quotes are from many sources, they are from charms, laws, manuscripts and the lips of men.

"Many in the times of disease went to the erring medicaments of idolatry, as if to restrain Gods chastisements, by incantations, phylacteries, or other secret demonical arts."
(St Bede: 673-735 AD)

"And thus it has reached us that the English nation, by the compassion of God, eagerly desires to be converted to the Christian faith, but that the 'sacerdotes e uicino' neglect it and refrain from kindling by their exhortation the desires of the English. On this account we have arranged to send thither Augustine, the servant of God."
(Pope Gregory the Great - AD 596)

"The words and promises you bring are fair enough, but because they are new to us and doubtful, I cannot consent to accept them and forsake those beliefs which I and the whole English race have held so long."
(King Ethelbert to St Augustine - AD 597)

"Woden worhte weos". (Woden made idols)
(Maxims 1)

"Hail to thee earth, mother of men, Be thou fruitful in Gods embrace, filled with food for the use of men."
(From an Anglo-Saxon land fertility charm)

"Surely Waylands work does not betray any man who can hold Mimming strong."
(Line from the Poem 'Waldere')

"Tell me who first wrote letters?, I tell thee, Mecurious (Woden) the giant."
(Line from the Poem 'Solomon and Saturn')

"Ing was first amongst the East Danes seen by men, till he went Eastward again, departed over the waves, his chariot ran behind him. Thus the Heardingas named their hero.
(Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem)

"We have a lady who is most high and mighty, high she is and holy, nobles love her for this. She is called Freo, well does she direct them, Freo, our lady, we give to her Friday."
(From the poem 'Brut', by the 13C poet Layamon)

"Loud were they, lo, loud when they rode over the burial mound, I stood under the linden wood, under a light shield where the mighty women put forth their powers and sent their yelling spears."
(From an Anglo-Saxon charm for a sudden pain)

"...the month of cakes, which is that month the English offered to their gods."
(St Bede: 673-735 AD)

"The snake came crawling and struck at none. But Woden took nine glory twigs and struck the adder so that it flew into nine parts."
(From the Anglo-Saxon  'Nine Herbs Charm')

"I have heard tell of no better treasure fit for princes, since Hama carried back to that shining citadel, Brisingamen."
(From the Anglo-Saxon epic poem 'Beowulf')

"If they are calling on their God against us, though they bear
no arms, they still fight us by pursuing us
with hostile prayers".
(The Heathen King Aethelfrith refering to the Christianity of
Welsh monks)

"...where once the crude pillars (ermula) of the same foul snake and the stag were worshipped with coarse stupidity in
profane shrines".
(Bishop Aldhelm refering to pillars in shrines that were venerated
in Wessex)

'Take pity upon them. For they themselves are saying "We are
of one blood and one bone with you".'
(Saint Boniface telling how the continental Saxons regard themselves as one and the same as the English)

'It was then that the inheritors of Ingui's peoples came to prosper so much in his inheritance of the treasures of men.'
(From the poem Exodus)

'Then was Ingui's army afflicted with ancient torments, the greatest of military peoples, with death.'
(From the poem Exodus)
Heathen Quotes

Anglo-Saxon Quotes

This page was last
updated on: July 22,
2003