Anglo-Saxon paganism
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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'Anglo-Saxon paganism, sometimes referred to as Anglo-Saxon heathenism is the Germanic religion of the Anglo-Saxons which was practised for approximately three centuries in England from the Anglo-Saxon invasion in the mid 5th century till the 8th century when it gradually began blending into folklore as a result of Christianization. As with most religions designated as being pagan, it was a polytheistic faith, focused around the worship of deities known as the Ése (singular Ós, the equivalent to the Norse Aesir). The most prominent of these deities appear to have been Woden and Thunor, leading the religion to having been called Wodenism during the 19th century.
Few first hand written sources survive from the period that describe the religion in any great depth, and as such most of what is known about Anglo-Saxon paganism comes from the study of such accounts, such as those found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and also through the study of literature from the Christian period, such as the epic tale of Beowulf and also from the available archaeological evidence as well. Certain Neopagan religions have attempted to ressurect Anglo-Saxon paganism, at least in part, including Seax-Wica and Theodism.
