Anglo-Saxon - Oxford Definition

Art produced in England during the period between the Germanic invasions of the later 5th century and the Norman Conquest of 1066. The invading Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and possibly Frisians settled all over lowland England, pushing the native British into Wales and the far south-west. Paganism replaced the Christianity that had survived from late Roman times and little of artistic interest survives from these years. However, missions of the 6th and 7th centuries encouraged a conversion to Christianity which led to the construction of stone buildings and crosses and the production of liturgical books, vessels, and vestments. At the same time a strong Celtic influence from the outlying parts of Britain ensured a rich mixture of traditions. This was severely disrupted, however, by the Viking invasions beginning in the mid-9th century. The main artistic impact of Viking art was in the field of metalwork. Under the church reforms of the late 10th century there was a renewed flowering of art and architecture.