Who Were the Saxons, and How Did the Anglo-Saxons Emerge? Origins, Mythology, and Migration
. Who Were the Saxons, and How Did the Anglo-Saxons Emerge? Origins, Mythology, and Migration Before You Begin: An Important Note for the Reader If you have always assumed that "Saxon" and "Anglo-Saxon" were identical terms, or that the English language resulted from a blend of Germanic tribes and Celts, you are not alone. This is one of the most common misconceptions in popular history. To understand the origins of England and the English language, two fundamental facts must be clarified: The Merger Behind the Name: The term Anglo-Saxon does not stem from a union with the Celts, but rather from the alliance of two distinct Germanic tribes that crossed the North Sea: the Saxons (from northern Germany) and the Angles (from southern Denmark). The Origins of English: English (Old English) developed directly from the Germanic dialects brought by these tribes. In fact, the word England derives from Engla-land —which literally translates to "Land of the...