Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Saxnōt is identified as a Saxon tribal god, mentioned in an 8th-century baptismal vow from the Saxon dialect. This vow required the postulant to renounce the Devil and three gods: Thunaer (Thor), Wōden (Odin), and Saxnōt. Saxnōt's name has been linked to Seaxneat, who is presented as Wōden's son in the genealogy of the kings of Essex. While Saxnōt is clearly a Saxon deity, the exact meaning of his name, specifically the second element, remains unclear, with possibilities including "companion" or a reference to "sacrificial cattle". The Saxons were a Germanic people who settled in England, forming the Anglo-Saxon people.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.