Anglo Saxon PeriodAnglo Saxon PeriodThe “Dark Ages”The “Dark Ages”

449-1066449-1066

Perceptions of “Dark Ages”Perceptions of “Dark Ages”

IgnoranceIgnorance ConfusionConfusion BarbarismBarbarism ViolenceViolence

AdvancementsAdvancements

Today we know that this perception Today we know that this perception is inaccurateis inaccurate

There were advancements in arts, There were advancements in arts, crafts, jewelry and even languagecrafts, jewelry and even language

Much of our language comes from Much of our language comes from them, the names of several Anglo them, the names of several Anglo Saxon gods are our week days Saxon gods are our week days (Woden= Wednesday)(Woden= Wednesday)

Up until the year 410 Romans Up until the year 410 Romans occupied Englandoccupied England

When Rome was invaded all forces When Rome was invaded all forces were withdrawn to protect Romewere withdrawn to protect Rome

This left England open to attacks by This left England open to attacks by Jutes, Angles and SaxonsJutes, Angles and Saxons

In the year 449- The Jutes invaded In the year 449- The Jutes invaded England from Jutland (Denmark)England from Jutland (Denmark)

They were followed by the Angles They were followed by the Angles and then the Saxons and then the Saxons

These groups were both Germanic These groups were both Germanic tribestribes

Once settled they set up many small Once settled they set up many small kingdomskingdoms

After some time, there were constant After some time, there were constant invasions by Vikingsinvasions by Vikings

This group was from the Danish This group was from the Danish peninsula, Sweden and Norwaypeninsula, Sweden and Norway

Anglo Saxon CultureAnglo Saxon Culture

There were great story tellers or There were great story tellers or wandering poets called Scops, wandering poets called Scops, Troubadours, Minstrels or GleemenTroubadours, Minstrels or Gleemen

Anglo Saxon CultureAnglo Saxon Culture

The wandering poets sang songs and The wandering poets sang songs and told stories of great heroes and told stories of great heroes and battlesbattles

They were accompanied by a lute They were accompanied by a lute (the equivalent of an acoustic guitar)(the equivalent of an acoustic guitar)

People went to the Mead Halls for People went to the Mead Halls for feasts held in honor of battles, and to feasts held in honor of battles, and to hear the wandering poetshear the wandering poets

Famous Anglo SaxonsFamous Anglo Saxons

Edward the ConfessorEdward the Confessor King EthelberhtKing Ethelberht The Venerable BedeThe Venerable Bede Alfred the Great- He recorded history Alfred the Great- He recorded history

in English and founded Public Schoolsin English and founded Public Schools

Literature of Anglo SaxonsLiterature of Anglo Saxons

RiddlesRiddles PoemsPoems Church Literature as they become Church Literature as they become

ChristianizedChristianized

Features of literatureFeatures of literature

Alliteration- the repetition of a Alliteration- the repetition of a consonant sound (sally sells consonant sound (sally sells seashells at the seashore)seashells at the seashore)

Internal rhyme (While I nodded Internal rhyme (While I nodded nearly nearly nappingnapping, suddenly there , suddenly there came a came a tappingtapping))

External rhymeExternal rhyme

Epic PoemEpic Poem

Pagan and Christian ideasPagan and Christian ideas Wyrd (fate)Wyrd (fate) Combination of a mythical and Combination of a mythical and

historical figurehistorical figure Traditions of a peopleTraditions of a people Noble deeds of a super heroNoble deeds of a super hero Universal Theme- Good vs. EvilUniversal Theme- Good vs. Evil

Epic poemsEpic poems

Unending fight of man against a Unending fight of man against a hostile environmenthostile environment

A brave leader saving a people from A brave leader saving a people from great perilgreat peril

JourneyJourney Kenning- descriptive word or phrase Kenning- descriptive word or phrase

used to replace a noun (ex: wave used to replace a noun (ex: wave cutter for boat)cutter for boat)

Many of these characteristics still Many of these characteristics still apply to today’s epicsapply to today’s epics

BeowulfBeowulf

The most famous epic from the Anglo The most famous epic from the Anglo Saxon PeriodSaxon Period

Oral tradition passed by word of mouthOral tradition passed by word of mouth It was first written down in 1000It was first written down in 1000 Composed in Old English, perhaps as Composed in Old English, perhaps as

an elegy to a 7an elegy to a 7thth Century king Century king The manuscript appears to have two The manuscript appears to have two

different authorsdifferent authors

BeowulfBeowulf

1731- suffered irreparable fire 1731- suffered irreparable fire damagedamage

1837- first translation to modern 1837- first translation to modern EnglishEnglish

Inspired Tolkien’s Inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Lord of the Rings and Michael Crichton’s and Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Eaters of the DeadDead

Qualities of an Epic HeroQualities of an Epic Hero

Champion of freedom and justiceChampion of freedom and justice CourageousCourageous Super human strengthSuper human strength Unfailing loyaltyUnfailing loyalty Devotion to dutyDevotion to duty