Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon History and Old History and Old

English Language English Language and Literatureand LiteraturePre-Historical – 1066 A.D.Pre-Historical – 1066 A.D.

Overview of Periods of Overview of Periods of Early English HistoryEarly English History

Pre-History—1066 A. D.Pre-History—1066 A. D.

1.1. Pre-Roman/Pre-Historical Pre-Roman/Pre-Historical up to 55 B. up to 55 B. C.C.

2.2. RomanRoman Occupation Occupation 55 B. C. – 410 A. D. 55 B. C. – 410 A. D.

3.3. Anglo-SaxonAnglo-Saxon Period Period 410 – 787 A. D. 410 – 787 A. D.

4.4. VikingViking Invasions Invasions 787 – 1066 A. D. 787 – 1066 A. D.

5.5. NormanNorman Conquest begins in 1066 Conquest begins in 1066

Pre-Historical / Pre-Pre-Historical / Pre-RomanRoman

Stonehenge

Pre-Historical / Pre-Pre-Historical / Pre-RomanRoman

The island we know as England was The island we know as England was occupied by a race of people called the occupied by a race of people called the Celts. One of the tribes was called they Celts. One of the tribes was called they Brythons or Britons (where we get the Brythons or Britons (where we get the term Britain)term Britain)

The Celts were The Celts were PagansPagans and their and their religion was know as religion was know as ““animismanimism”” a Latin a Latin word for word for ““spirit.spirit.”” Celts saw spirits Celts saw spirits everywhereeverywhere

Druids were their priests; their role was Druids were their priests; their role was to go between the gods and the peopleto go between the gods and the people

Roman OccupationRoman Occupation

Hadrian’s Wall

Important Events During Important Events During Roman OccupationRoman Occupation

Julius Caesar begins invasion/occupation in 55 Julius Caesar begins invasion/occupation in 55 B.C.B.C.

Occupation completed by Claudius in 1Occupation completed by Claudius in 1stst cent. cent. A.D.A.D.

HadrianHadrian’’s Wall built about 122 A.D.s Wall built about 122 A.D. Romans Romans ““leaveleave”” in 410 A.D. because Visigoths in 410 A.D. because Visigoths

attack Romeattack Rome St. Augustine (the St. Augustine (the ““otherother”” St. Augustine!) lands in St. Augustine!) lands in

Kent in 597 and converts King Aethelbert (king of Kent in 597 and converts King Aethelbert (king of Kent, the oldest Saxon settlement) to Christianity; Kent, the oldest Saxon settlement) to Christianity; becomes first Archbishop of Canterbury becomes first Archbishop of Canterbury

Important Cultural and Important Cultural and Historical Results of the Historical Results of the

Roman OccupationRoman Occupation Military—strong armed forces (Military—strong armed forces (““legionslegions””))

Pushed Celts into Wales and IrelandPushed Celts into Wales and Ireland Prevented Vikings from raiding for several hundred Prevented Vikings from raiding for several hundred

years: C. Warren Hollister writes, years: C. Warren Hollister writes, ““RomeRome’’s greatest gift s greatest gift to Britain was peaceto Britain was peace”” (15). (15).

InfrastructureInfrastructure Government (fell apart when they left)Government (fell apart when they left) Walls, villas, public baths (some remains still exist)Walls, villas, public baths (some remains still exist)

Language and WritingLanguage and Writing Latin was official language Latin was official language Practice of recording history led to earliest English Practice of recording history led to earliest English ““literatureliterature”” being documentary being documentary

ReligionReligion Christianity beginning to take hold, especially after St. Christianity beginning to take hold, especially after St.

Augustine converts King AethelbertAugustine converts King Aethelbert

The Most Important Results The Most Important Results of the Roman Occupationof the Roman Occupation

LatinLatin heavily influenced the English heavily influenced the English languagelanguage

Relative Relative PeacePeace ChristianityChristianity begins to take hold in begins to take hold in

England (but does not fully displace England (but does not fully displace Paganism for several hundred years)Paganism for several hundred years)

The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period410-787410-787

Important Events in the Important Events in the (First) Anglo-Saxon Period(First) Anglo-Saxon Period

410- 450 Angles and Saxons invade 410- 450 Angles and Saxons invade from Baltic shores of Germany, and from Baltic shores of Germany, and the Jutes invade from the Jutland the Jutes invade from the Jutland peninsula in Denmarkpeninsula in Denmark The Geats are a tribe from JutlandThe Geats are a tribe from Jutland

Nine Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Nine Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms eventually became the Anglo-Saxon eventually became the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy (England not unified), or heptarchy (England not unified), or ““Seven Sovereign KingdomsSeven Sovereign Kingdoms””

Anglo-Saxon HeptarchyAnglo-Saxon Heptarchy Heptarchy = Seven Heptarchy = Seven

KingdomsKingdoms

1.1. KentKent

2.2. Essex (East Saxon)Essex (East Saxon)

3.3. Sussex (South Sussex (South Saxon)Saxon)

4.4. East AngliaEast Anglia

5.5. NorthumbriaNorthumbria

6.6. MerciaMercia

7.7. Wessex (West Wessex (West Saxon)Saxon)

Viking Invasions 787-Viking Invasions 787-10661066

VikingsVikings By definition, Vikings were sea-faring By definition, Vikings were sea-faring

(explorers, traders, and warriors) (explorers, traders, and warriors) Scandinavians during the 8Scandinavians during the 8thth through 11 through 11thth centuries. centuries.

Oddly enough, the Anglo-Saxon (and Jute) Oddly enough, the Anglo-Saxon (and Jute) heritage was not much different from the heritage was not much different from the VikingsVikings’’: they, too, were Scandinavian : they, too, were Scandinavian invaders. In fact, some Vikings were also invaders. In fact, some Vikings were also called called ““NorthmenNorthmen”” which is related to yet which is related to yet another culture (this one French) which made another culture (this one French) which made conquest of England—the Normans, and conquest of England—the Normans, and William the Conqueror in 1066.William the Conqueror in 1066.

However, when the Viking raids began However, when the Viking raids began around 787, the Anglo-Saxons were different around 787, the Anglo-Saxons were different culturally from the Viking invadersculturally from the Viking invaders

They were ALL They were ALL Vikings!Vikings!

Except for the CeltsExcept for the Celts** and the and the Romans, all of the cultures who Romans, all of the cultures who successfully invaded England in successfully invaded England in the first millennium were from the first millennium were from Northern Europe at one time or Northern Europe at one time or

another. The Angles, Saxons, another. The Angles, Saxons, Frisians, and Jutes were from the Frisians, and Jutes were from the Baltic region, and the Normans Baltic region, and the Normans

(1066) were primarily from (1066) were primarily from Normandy and had originally Normandy and had originally

been from Norway been from Norway *the Celts were indigenous at the time of the Roman *the Celts were indigenous at the time of the Roman

conquest, and are therefore considered Englandconquest, and are therefore considered England ’’s s ““nativesnatives””

Important Results of the Important Results of the Viking InvasionsViking Invasions

Politically and CulturallyPolitically and Culturally Continued political instability and conflictContinued political instability and conflict (i.e., tribal war): there was (i.e., tribal war): there was

no central government or church*no central government or church* The Anglo-Saxon codeThe Anglo-Saxon code (more on this when we read Beowulf) (more on this when we read Beowulf)

Linguistically (The English Language at its Earliest)Linguistically (The English Language at its Earliest) The English language is The English language is ““bornborn”” during the first millennium and is during the first millennium and is

known as Old English (OE). Anglo-Saxon is the term for the culture.known as Old English (OE). Anglo-Saxon is the term for the culture. Old English is mainly Germanic** in grammarOld English is mainly Germanic** in grammar (syntax and (syntax and

morphology) morphology) and lexiconand lexicon (words) (words) the core of our modern English is the core of our modern English is vastly influenced by this early linguistic vastly influenced by this early linguistic ““DNADNA”” (but even Germanic (but even Germanic languages derived from a theoretical Proto-Indo-European language, languages derived from a theoretical Proto-Indo-European language, the grandparent of classical languages such as Greek, Sanskrit, Latin, the grandparent of classical languages such as Greek, Sanskrit, Latin, and German (**Remember: Vikings were Germanic people)and German (**Remember: Vikings were Germanic people)

LOTS of dialects of Old-English, as one might imagine. This is because LOTS of dialects of Old-English, as one might imagine. This is because there were several separate Kingdoms many founded by essentially there were several separate Kingdoms many founded by essentially five or six different cultures: Angles, Saxons, Frisians, Jutes, Danes, five or six different cultures: Angles, Saxons, Frisians, Jutes, Danes, and Swedes and Swedes

*Alfred the Great (ruled from approx. 871-899 A.D.) was one of the first *Alfred the Great (ruled from approx. 871-899 A.D.) was one of the first Anglo-Saxon kings to push Vikings back; in fact, he was one of the Anglo-Saxon kings to push Vikings back; in fact, he was one of the first kings to begin consolidating power, unifying several of the first kings to begin consolidating power, unifying several of the separate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms separate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms

Huh?Huh?(we better boil those important results (we better boil those important results

down!)down!) Lots of ongoing tribal feuds and wars led to . Lots of ongoing tribal feuds and wars led to .

. .. . Lots of intermingling of similar but different Lots of intermingling of similar but different

Germanic languages . . . interrupted by . . .Germanic languages . . . interrupted by . . . MORE Viking invasions, which gave way to . MORE Viking invasions, which gave way to .

. . . . Some political unification (Alfred) . . . Some political unification (Alfred) . . . . . . Which led to . . . . . . Which led to . . . OLD ENGLISH, the earliest form of our OLD ENGLISH, the earliest form of our

language!!language!!

Early England Created by Early England Created by Three InvasionsThree Invasions

1. Roman Occupation 55 B.C.-410 A.D.

2. Anglo-Saxon and Viking Invasions 410 – 1066 A.D.

3. The Norman Invasion (The Battle of Hastings) in 1066 A.D.

LATINLATIN

GERMAN(IC)GERMAN(IC)

FRENCHFRENCH

Norman InvasionNorman Invasion

In 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, the In 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, the Normans (powerful Northern Normans (powerful Northern Frenchmen) defeated the English and Frenchmen) defeated the English and started a centuries-long conquest of started a centuries-long conquest of EnglandEngland

Two Most Important Effects:Two Most Important Effects: FrenchFrench becomes official language of becomes official language of

politics and power and exerts enormous politics and power and exerts enormous influence on Old Englishinfluence on Old English

England begins England begins unifyingunifying under a French under a French political system, much of which is still political system, much of which is still with us (even in the U.S.) todaywith us (even in the U.S.) today

The Anglo-Saxon Period in The Anglo-Saxon Period in ReviewReview

Pre-Anglo-Saxon (really Pre-Anglo-Saxon (really ““prepre”” historical) historical) Celtic Peoples (approx 1700/400 B.C. – 55 B.C.)Celtic Peoples (approx 1700/400 B.C. – 55 B.C.) Roman Occupation (55 B.C.-410 A.D.)Roman Occupation (55 B.C.-410 A.D.)

Anglo-Saxon/VikingAnglo-Saxon/Viking Angles, Saxons, Frisian, and Jutes (410-Angles, Saxons, Frisian, and Jutes (410-

787787 Viking Raids/Invasions begin 8Viking Raids/Invasions begin 8thth c. and c. and

end 10end 10thth c. c. Norman Invasion/Occupation (really in the Middle Ages)Norman Invasion/Occupation (really in the Middle Ages)

Battle of Hastings in 1066, then about four centuries of French Battle of Hastings in 1066, then about four centuries of French rulerule

A Short History A Short History of Our Languageof Our Language

——or—or—

““How English got to be so hard to How English got to be so hard to study, but is still so beautiful to study, but is still so beautiful to

hear and readhear and read””

Quick History of English Quick History of English LanguageLanguage

Old English (OE) dates from Old English (OE) dates from approximately* 400 A.D. to 1066approximately* 400 A.D. to 1066

Middle English (ME) dates from Middle English (ME) dates from approximately 1066-1485approximately 1066-1485

They are quite different to the eye and They are quite different to the eye and ear. Old English is nearly impossible to ear. Old English is nearly impossible to read or understand without studying it read or understand without studying it much like and English speaker today much like and English speaker today would study French, Latin, or Chinese would study French, Latin, or Chinese

*The dating of the beginnings of OE is difficult; scholars only have written texts in OE beginning in around 700 A.D., but peoples in England must have been speaking a version of OE prior to works being written in the vernacular (as opposed to Latin)

Another Way of Looking at the Another Way of Looking at the History of EnglishHistory of English

Old EnglishOld English 400-400-1066 1066

BeowulfBeowulf

(from (from BeowulfBeowulf!)!)

““Gaæþ a wyrd swa hio scelGaæþ a wyrd swa hio scel”” (OE)(OE)

==

““Fate goes ever as it mustFate goes ever as it must”” (MnE)(MnE)

Middle Middle EnglishEnglish

1066-1066-14851485

ChaucerChaucer

(from (from CTCT))““Whan that Aprille with his Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote . . . shoures soote . . . ”” (ME) = (ME) =

““When that April with its When that April with its sweet showers . . .sweet showers . . .”” (MnE) (MnE)

Early Early Modern Modern EnglishEnglish

1485-1485-18001800

ShakespeShakespeare are

(from (from KLKL))

““Sir, I loue you more than Sir, I loue you more than words can weild ye matterwords can weild ye matter”” (EMnE) =(EMnE) =

““Sir, I love you more than Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matterword can wield the matter”” (MnE)(MnE)

Modern Modern EnglishEnglish

1800-1800-presentpresent

AustenAusten

(from (from P&PP&P))

It is a truth universally It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a fortune must be in want of a wife.wife.

OE=Old English ME=Middle English EMnE=Early Modern English MnE=Modern English

English = ?English = ?

Celtic (from 1700 or 400 B.C. to 55 B.C.) Celtic (from 1700 or 400 B.C. to 55 B.C.) ++

Latin (from 55 B. C. to 410 A. D.) + Latin (from 55 B. C. to 410 A. D.) + German (from 410 A.D. to 1066 A.D.) +German (from 410 A.D. to 1066 A.D.) + French (from 1066 A.D. to 1485 A.D.) =French (from 1066 A.D. to 1485 A.D.) =

OLD ENGLISH and MIDDLE ENGLISHOLD ENGLISH and MIDDLE ENGLISH

VERY DIFFICULT LANGUAGE, BUT ONE VERY DIFFICULT LANGUAGE, BUT ONE PERFECT FOR LIMITLESS AND PERFECT FOR LIMITLESS AND

BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSIONBEAUTIFUL EXPRESSION

English is a Melting Pot of English is a Melting Pot of Indo-European LanguagesIndo-European Languages

Celtic Latin German French

Transition to Transition to BeowulfBeowulf The major text we will read from this period is the The major text we will read from this period is the

epic Beowulf. It is the story of a Scandinavian (Geat) epic Beowulf. It is the story of a Scandinavian (Geat) ““thanethane”” (warrior or knight) who comes to help a (warrior or knight) who comes to help a neighboring tribe, the Danes, who are being attacked neighboring tribe, the Danes, who are being attacked by a monster.by a monster.

We study English history to understand the context of We study English history to understand the context of BeowulfBeowulf, and we study , and we study BeowulfBeowulf to understand the to understand the world which was Old England. world which was Old England.

According to Venerable Bede (an early English According to Venerable Bede (an early English historian who lived in the eighth century), the Britons historian who lived in the eighth century), the Britons called the Romans for help when the Picts and Scots called the Romans for help when the Picts and Scots were attacking them (B.C.). Hundreds of years later, were attacking them (B.C.). Hundreds of years later, the Britons called the Saxons to help them when the the Britons called the Saxons to help them when the Romans couldnRomans couldn’’t. The Saxons came t. The Saxons came ““from parts from parts beyond the seabeyond the sea”” (qtd. in Pyles and Algeo 96). (qtd. in Pyles and Algeo 96).

This journey of Germanic peoples to England This journey of Germanic peoples to England ““from from parts beyond the seaparts beyond the sea”” is the prototypical story for the is the prototypical story for the first millennium of Englandfirst millennium of England’’s history. It formulates s history. It formulates much of their cultural mindset and clearly influences much of their cultural mindset and clearly influences their stories. Be sure to consider how it plays a role their stories. Be sure to consider how it plays a role in in BeowulfBeowulf. .

BibliographyBibliography Abrams, M. H., and Stephen Greenblatt, Eds. Introduction. Abrams, M. H., and Stephen Greenblatt, Eds. Introduction.

The Norton Anthology of English LiteratureThe Norton Anthology of English Literature, seventh ed., vol. , seventh ed., vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 1-22, 29-32. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 1-22, 29-32.

Anderson, Robert, et al. Eds. Anderson, Robert, et al. Eds. Elements of LiteratureElements of Literature, Sixth , Sixth Course, Literature of Britain. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Course, Literature of Britain. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. 2-42. Winston, 1993. 2-42.

Burrow, J. A. Burrow, J. A. ““Old and Middle English Literature, c. 700-148Old and Middle English Literature, c. 700-1485.5.”” The Oxford Illustrated History of English LiteratureThe Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature. Ed. . Ed. Pat Rogers. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.Pat Rogers. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.

Grant, Neil. Grant, Neil. Kings and QueensKings and Queens. Glasgow: Harper Collins, . Glasgow: Harper Collins, 1999.1999.

Hollister, C. Warren. Hollister, C. Warren. The Making of England, 55 B.C. to 1399The Making of England, 55 B.C. to 1399. . 66thth ed. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1988 ed. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1988

Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. The Origins and Development The Origins and Development of the English Languageof the English Language. 4. 4thth Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1993. Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1993.

Wikipedia (articles on Wikipedia (articles on ““Norman Invasion,Norman Invasion,”” ““Roman Occupation Roman Occupation of Britain,of Britain,”” ““King Alfred,King Alfred,”” ““King Aethelbert,King Aethelbert,”” ““Vikings,Vikings,”” and and ““Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings””). Dates of access: August 10-20, 2006.). Dates of access: August 10-20, 2006.