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  The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms

 

Diameter: 2.800 cm (Æthelwulf ring)
Diameter: 2.800 cm (Æthelwulf ring)

M&ME 1829,11-14,1;M&ME AF 458

Room 41: Europe AD 300-1100

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Anglo-Saxon England

Pair of royal finger rings

Anglo-Saxon England was divided into the five main kingdoms of Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria and Kent, each with its own king.

Kings often died early and violent deaths. As well as fighting against each other for power, they had to keep their own nobles happy, or they might rise up against them. One way that they did this was to give them expensive presents. The ring on the left was perhaps given to a noble by King Æthelwulf of Wessex. Can you see his name on the left-hand ring? The other ring has AD on it which stands for 'Agnus Dei' meaning 'Lamb of God' in Latin. On the back the name Æthelswith has been cut. She was Æthelwulf’s daughter and the ring might have been a gift she gave to someone to show her favour.