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Anglo-Saxon Chief
of the Gods
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- Woden was the Chief or King of the Anglo-Saxon
gods. He also had the nickname of 'Grim'.
- He is mentioned in lots of Anglo-Saxon literature.
- He was the most powerful of the
gods, and was particularly associated with Death and War. The
Anglo-Saxons
made sacrifices to him before battles.
- He was also a God of Wisdom and
discovered (or invented) the Germanic writing system called runes.
- His sacred animal was the wolf. He
had two pet wolves. He
may be shown with them on the purse
from the Sutton Hoo Ship
Burial.
- His sacred bird was the raven.
His sacred plant was the ash tree. His sacred weapon was the
spear.
- He is sometimes shown with one eye.
- His special day was Wednesday which
means 'Woden's Day'.
- He led the 'wild hunt'. These
hunters rode across the night's sky on their black horses and
with wild black dogs, searching for non-believers to punish.
- The Saxons often thought he must
have built the huge prehistoric banks, ditches and barrows whose
origins they didn't understand.
- Can you find any places near you
that are named after Woden? Use a map. Look for places beginning
with the words Wans, Wednes, Wens, Woodnes or Grim.
- Activity
Sheet available.
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