Anglo-Saxon architecture

The architecture of the Anglo-Saxon period of English history, from the 5th century to the early 11th century.

For architecture in Britain before the Anglo-Saxon period, see Roman Architecture: Britain.

Little evidence remains of the buildings which the first Anglo-Saxon settlers must have erected during the period 410-597. However, St Augustine's landing in Kent in 597, and his speedy conversion of the Kentish king Ethelbert resulted in the erection of Christian churches in Canterbury (St Peter and St Paul, 597); St Pancras (about 600); St Mary (around 620); and in Kent (St Andrew, Rochester, 604; St Mary, Lyminge, about 633; and St Mary, Reculver, 669). St Peter, Bradwell (Essex), was built in about 660; and at Brixworth (Northamptonshire) a large church was erected around 670, which still survives. It has a long aisled nave with semicircular brick arches, a small apsidal chancel and a timber roof.

Only a few years later, a second group of Christian churches was erected in the former ‘Kingdom of Northumbria’, as a result of missionary activity by Benedict Biscop, who had studied in Rome. His three churches, all very small and roughly built, are at Monkwearmouth (674), Jarrow (chancel only, 682), and Escomb (about the same date). In Hexham Abbey and Ripon Cathedral are crypts of this period, built in about 675 by St Wilfrid, who was the Archbishop of York.

During the 8th and 9th centuries, mainly because of Danish invasions, there was a lull in church-building. For English architecture of later periods see Norman architecture and English architecture. See also Anglo-Saxon art.