Anglo-Saxon Architecture

British architectural history effectively begins with the first Anglo-Saxon Christian churches, built soon after Augustine of Canterbury arrived in Great Britain in 597.

England is not blessed with an abundance of surviving AngloSaxon buildings due to frequent warfare and violent invasions, particularly by the Vikings in the period 800-950. These invaders, quite naturally, burned and destroyed most of the settlements they came across, in their search for plunder and martial glory. For this reason most surviving examples of Anglo-Saxon architecture date from either 600-725 or 900-1050. most Saxon buildings were constructed of wood with wattle and daub walls. o The only buildings the Anglo-Saxons tended to build in more permanent stone were their monasteries and churches. o the earliest Saxon work is concentrated in the southeast around the county of Kent and in Northumbria; These churches are heavily influenced by the Roman basilcan tradition, with a rounded chancel in the east and plain walls.
There are few remains of Anglo-Saxon church architecture although in some cases the Anglo-Saxon part is small and muchaltered. All surviving churches are built of stone or brick, and in some cases show evidence of re-used Roman work. The architectural character of Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical buildings range from - in the early period: Celtic influenced architecture; Christian basilica;

- in the later Anglo-Saxon period: o pilaster-strips, o blank arcading, o baluster shafts and o triangular headed openings

Domestic Architecture o most domestic structures in the Saxon period were built in wood. Even the halls of nobles were simple affairs, with a central fire and a hole in the roof to let the smoke escape. Even the largest buildings rarely had more than one floor, and one room. o Buildings vary widely in size; most are square or rectangular, though some round houses have been found. o Another common design was simple post framing, with heavy posts set directly into the ground, supporting the roof. The space between the posts was filled in with wattle and daub, or occasionally, planks. o The floors were generally packed earth, though planks were sometimes used. o Roofing materials varied, with thatch being the most common, though turf and even wooden shingles were also used. o Windows were rare, but when they were used they would have been covered with thin animal skins to allow light to penetrate. Some evidence suggests that glazing was not unknown in the late Saxon period.

Greensted Church