illustration by Tim OliphantMUSINGS
Pat ence s al o a ness
ANGLOSAXON PROVERBNow that is a great question! I had read that phrase many times as
I researched material for DIG Into History, but had never really given
it much thought. “Early English,” I thought, and kept it on my “to
do” list of themes. Then came an email from Dana Sajdi, who is the
director of the Grad Program at the History Department at Boston College and who had written for DIG’s March 2018 issue on Syria.
She loved the Syria issue and was wondering if I might want to
consider a collaboration with BC graduate students on another issue.
I was intrigued! I answered “Sure!” I then followed with a question,
“What topics might DIG cover?”. She sent me several —and there it
was — “Anglo-Saxons”! The time had come to take this theme off
the “Possibles” list to “Let’s Go For It!” More emails followed from
Dana Sajdi, with Matthew Delvaux copied on them. Then came this
great email from Matthew with ideas, thoughts, facts, possible
topics. Wow! This was great – and Matthew offered to write and ask
FROOHDJXHVLQWKHğHOG$GRXEOHZRZ,GUDIWHGDIROORZXSRXWOLQHwith word counts and expansions on the material to be covered in
each article. Matthew asked his colleagues — with a “yes” for each
article, we were ready to begin.
But let me tell you what intrigued me the most! This issue would
include ongoing research and discussion about just who were the
Anglo-Saxons? Did they enter England in a mass migration, or had
all happened over time? The answer to this is still not absolutely
clear, but you will see the arguments for the “over time” belief as
you read through the issue. It’s actually isotopes that are helping
to answer the questions! What are isotopes? Well, I cannot ruin the
VXVSHQVHVR\RXZLOOKDYHWRVWDUWWXUQLQJWKHSDJHVWRğQGRXW I was having fun — and learning at the same time! I cannot begin
to tell you how much I have learned from editing DIG! I had heard of
Alfred the Great, but Offa and Aethelstan! I did not even recognize
the names! And each does have a great story to tell, one that lies at
the core of English history.
Have you ever wondered how Christianity came to England? Well,
whether or not you have, the story of this religion’s entry onto the
island and the affect it had on the organization of the island is one
you should not miss. The articles focusing on this topic, as well as
those on other topics, offer a great lesson as to how early countries
were formed and what challenges the people faced.
(^) myself these questions — so I knew that But what happened? Did the Anglo-Saxons survive? I was asking DIG’s readers would be
doing the same. The answers would bring us all to the present —
what I always like to do with any topic in DIG. Three articles would do
it — one on the Viking entry into England another on the Norman
impact. The third would address the legacy of the Anglo-Saxons.
What an issue this was going to be!
But, now, it is your turn to experience the “Anglo-Saxon”
adventure! Enjoy the trip!
NOTE: In this issue on the Anglo-Saxons, we are using the abbreviationsƊƋƍ
(Before the Common Era) and Ƌƍ (Common Era) and not ƊƋ and ƉƌƊƋƍ
and Ƌƍ are used presently worldwide and have no religious affiliation.
ABOUT THE COVER
WHY ANGLO-SAXONS?
,PDJLQHIDFLQJWKLVJX\RQWKHEDWWOHğHOG":KRLVKH":HOOIRU
the simple answer, turn to page 57. But, if you really want to know
something about him, his time period, and his people, then turn the
page to enter the world of the Anglo-Saxons! Happy reading!
Rosalie F Baker EditorRosalie F.Baker, Editoor
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
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2012 Teacher’s Choice Award winner
George Washington Honor MedalAward Winner
Indexed and/or Abstracted in: Children’s Magazine Guide, Primary Search and Middle Search, Readers’ Guide for Young People, Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature, Vertical File Index, and
at http://www.cricketmedia.com
EDITOR Rosalie F. Baker
ART DIRECTOR Nicole Welch
DESIGNER Erin Hookana
CARTOONIST Chris Sabatino
DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL James M. O’Connor
PERMISSIONS SPECIALIST Christine Voboril
COPY EDITOR Stephen L. Thompson
PROOFREADER Paula K. Neely
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Naomi Pasachoff
—ANGLO-SAX
Hi, there,
friends! This time,
I have taken the
“eye” with me! Can youfind it? The answer
is on page 53 — but don’t peek!
HELLO! I AM:
GIL
FAVORITE COLOR
green
SPECIAL SKILL
Ġ\LQJZLWKP\ZLQJHGVDQGDOV
BEST FRIEND
Dr. Dig
FAVORITE WORD
Foop!
ƍ
F g S Ġ B D F F