Saxons were a Germanic people originating from coastal regions along the North Sea in what is now northern Germany. Their name, from Latin Saxones, is linked to the seax, a small knife they famously used. Over time, the continental Saxons came into contact and conflict with the Frankish realms during the early Middle Ages, and many were incorporated into Charlemagne’s empire after the Saxon Wars (772–804). A separate branch took root across the North Sea in Britain, where migrating groups such as the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians formed early medieval kingdoms in what would become England; collectively these settlers are known as the Anglo-Saxons. The term “Anglo- Saxon” describes a cultural and linguistic grouping (Old English) rather than a single ethnic label, reflecting the fusion of multiple Germanic-speaking groups in Britain and the continent. Key points:
- Continental Saxons: Germanic people north of the Elbe, linked to the region known as Old Saxony. They engaged in persistent conflict with Frankish rulers and were eventually absorbed into the Carolingian realm after Charlemagne’s campaigns.
- Anglo-Saxons (Britain): A group formed from migrants including Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians who settled in England from the 5th century onward, giving rise to early English kingdoms such as Wessex, Mercia, Sussex, Essex, East Anglia, and Kent. The term emphasizes cultural and linguistic identity (Old English) rather than strict ethnicity.
- Etymology and identity: The name Saxons derives in part from the seax, a weapon they used; “Saxons” in Britain became associated with the broader Anglo-Saxon cultural formation rather than a single tribe.
If you’d like, I can tailor this with more detail on a specific aspect (e.g., their societal structure, religious conversion under Charlemagne, or the differences between continental Saxons and Anglo-Saxons).
