Cambridge University’s Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic Changes Curriculum to Address Racism Concerns

Cambridge University’s Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic is changing its curriculum to teach students that identities like Anglo-Saxon are “constructed and contingent” in an effort to make its instruction more anti-racist. The department aims to “dismantle the basis of myths of nationalism” and address concerns over the term’s perceived connection to ethnic or racial English identity. The International Society of Anglo-Saxonists changed its name to the International Society for the Study of Early Medieval England in 2019 due to its association with the term, which some allege promotes white supremacy. However, the term has been in use since the eighth century and was employed by King Alfred the Great, who called himself the “king of the Anglo-Saxons.” The Anglo-Saxons played a significant role in English history, contributing to the development of the English language, unifying England, establishing the English monarchy and Christianity, and setting out the shires that were the units of local government. Critics argue that replacing the term with something more obscure for no good reason is unnecessary and that the Anglo-Saxons deserve better.