8. Did the Anglo-Saxons really lay the ‘foundations of England’?

This enquiry builds on the previous lesson ‘Was Bede right about the Anglo-Saxon invaders?’

This enquiry focuses on the impact of the Anglo-Saxons.

Students are introduced to historian Marc Morris’ thesis, and they use clues to determine the extent to which his claim that the Anglo-Saxons laid the ‘foundations of England’ is supported by the evidence.

They are supported in doing some sophisticated thinking about the second order concept of ‘consequence’, and finally they are challenged to express their own views on the influence which the Anglo-Saxons really exerted.