★★★★★ ‘discover a culture of barbaric splendour and fierce vision’ – The Guardian

★★★★★ ‘by some distance, the most significant exhibition in London’ – Evening Standard

★★★★ ‘glorious’ – Time Out

★★★★ ‘marvellous’ – Londonist

Due to the popularity of the exhibition, tickets for Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms have now sold out.

Treasures from the British Library’s own collection, including the beautifully illuminated Lindisfarne Gospels, Beowulf and Bede's Ecclesiastical History, sit alongside stunning finds from Sutton Hoo and the Staffordshire Hoard. The world-famous Domesday Book offers its unrivalled depiction of the landscape of late Anglo-Saxon England while Codex Amiatinus, a giant Northumbrian Bible taken to Italy in 716, returns to England for the first time in 1300 years.



The people of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms tell their story, in their own words. Explore the beginnings of the English language and English literature. Read some of the earliest-surviving words inscribed in English on objects large and small. Come face-to-face with manuscripts of Old English poetry and prose and the first letter written in English. Wonder at the wit and wisdom in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Encounter handwritten books intricately decorated with rich colours and gold. Discover finely crafted metalwork and sculpture unearthed in recent times. See the deep artistic connections between Anglo-Saxon England and its European neighbours.

Many books were produced during this period, but few survive – this is your opportunity to follow the journeys of these magnificent manuscripts, now brought together for this major landmark exhibition.

From the end of Roman rule in Britain to the Norman Conquest of England, discover the history of the Anglo-Saxons in our new website: who they were, where they came from, their culture, their influence on modern-day Britain and more.

Ticket holders for entry times covering the period 10.00 - 10.15 on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 February, will be able to hear poet-translators Luke McMullan and Gnaomi Siemens read their exciting new translations of poems from the 10th-cenntury Exeter Book, one of the key items in the exhibition.

Win a luxury stay at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

To celebrate our critically-acclaimed exhibition, Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Art, Word, War, we’ve partnered with one of London’s most iconic and luxurious hotels, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, to offer you and a guest the chance to win a one-night stay. Combining stunning architecture and an exceptional level of service, this five-star hotel offers an experience like no other.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply take a photo with King Edgar at our display in the British Library and post it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram by 22 February 2019 with our hashtag #BLAngloSaxons.

Terms and conditions apply [PDF]

Further Information

If you’re a group of 10 people or more, get a 10% discount off ticket prices plus special offers in our restaurants and cafés. Or book an introductory talk from one of our experts.

Find out more about the learning programme to accompany the exhibition, including school workshops, teacher events, family activities and adult courses.