Saxon villages were small, rural communities that developed in England during the Saxon period, roughly from the 5th to the 11th centuries. These villages typically featured a central area with houses, farms, and communal spaces, often surrounded by fields for agriculture. The layout was usually simple, with homes made from timber and thatch. The inhabitants of Saxon villages were primarily engaged in farming, raising livestock, and crafting goods. Each village had its own local governance, often led by a village elder or a lord. These communities played a crucial role in the social and economic structure of early medieval England.