Anglo-Saxons: 449-1066

History

• Roman occupation: 55B.C to A.D 409.

• Came with Julius Caesar-stayed 400 years.

• Created a government

• Built defensive walls• Built roads.• When they left they

took their government-England open to invasion

Anglo-Saxon invasion• Angles and Saxon

(Germany/Dutch) took over-imposed language and warrior culture.

• Brought loyalty to communities

• Saw religion as grim• Storytellers (scopes)

important

• Scopes told the history through songs

• Divided into clans until King Alfred the Great of Wessex in the ninteth century.

Spread of Christianity• Christianity

introduces to Britain during Roman occupation

• 5th century became dominate religion

• By 7th century Paganism almost extinct

William the Conqueror

• Crossed English Channel in 1066

• Defeated Anglo-Saxon armies (Battle of Hastings)

• Ended Anglo-Saxon culture in England.

The British Legacy• British gradually create

political system of (by the people for the people)

• US would not be what it is today without British Common law, government and language.

• Great Britain invaded/settled many times

• Each invader formed formed what Britain is today

The Spirit of the Celts

• Celts-tall blonde warrior , Brythons,Britons.

• Britian came from the words Brythons,and Britons.

• Animism-Latin word for spirit.

• Priests (druids) acted as intermediates for Gods an people.

• Britons have long hair, shaved bodies, and dye their bodies for a more terrifying appearance in battle.

The Celtic Heroes/HeroinesSir Thomas Malory

gathered legends together and made the Le Morte d’Arthur-which was about a king who became the embodiment if British Values

Celtic legends are full of strong women such as Queen Maeve of Connacht

Celtic tales let magic and imagination rule

Anglo-Saxon’s Sweep Ashore• The attack came forth the north

during the cluration of the 5th century

• The invaders consisted of Angles and Saxons tribe members

• They settled the greater part of Britain and from there took the name of Engla Land.

• The celts were newcomers to England but it wasn’t easy for them, so they moved to wales.

A light from Ireland• In 432 the whole Celtic

Ireland was converted to Christianity by a Romanized Britain named Patrick

• 432 to 750 Ireland experienced a Golden Age

• Irish monks founded monasteries that became sanctuaries of learning for refugee scholars from Europe and England

Anglo-Saxon Life

• 1939 in Suffolk, England an enormous ship grave was discovered.

• Which represents the burial of a Great King or noble warrior.

• Reminded them of King Beowulfs grave.

The Romans

• Caesar invades Britain in 55 B.C.

• Conquers Celts • Provided a military for

Anglo-Saxons• Built roads (still used

today) and defensive wall (73 miles long)

• Christianity becomes unifying force

• Celts religion to vanish• Romans evacuated

from Britain in A.D. 409• Left everything behind

but a central government

Fame and success was gained from loyalty to the leader

Beowulf gained his respect by defeating the monster who tried to kill King Hrothgar

Social Influences

• Based on warfare• Women Rights after

Norman Conquest in 1066

• Morgengifu (morning gift) of money and land

• Women had personal control over gift

• Women abbesses controlled large double-houses

• Hild most famous abbesses

Anglo-Saxon Religion

• Each god had a purpose • Were more concerned with

ethics than with mysticism.• Warrior gods/like

mythology• From Germany • Earthy virtues of bravery,

loyalty, generosity, and friendship.

The Bards

• Cummunal Hall- provided shelter for Scopes to tell stories.

• Scopes-was also called Bards or story tellers.

• Sang of Gods and heroes.

Hope in Immortal Verse Anglo – Saxton lit.

contains work in same elegiac,( mournful, strain)

For non-Christian A-S only fame and commemoration in poetry provide defense against death

The Christian Monasteries

• Monasteries served as center of learning

• Preserved literature such as Beowulf

• Monks assigned to monastery copied manuscripts by hand

• Scriptoriums writing room) had makeshift walls.

The rise of the English Language

• Latin was only language in England till King Alfred

• Alfred instituted Anglo – Saxon chronicle, covered earliest days until 1154

Fast Facts

• King Alfred of Wessex unite Anglo-Saxons in England, late ninth century

• Scopes (poets) old stories in early British culture

• Christian monks copy ancient manuscripts

Major Works-Beowulf

– archetype-good vs. evil

– Main character’s: Beowulf-Hero

– Next

Click on the title to play the trailer.

from Beowulf

Characteristics of an Epic

An epic, a long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a great hero, has the power to transport you to another time and place.

Beowulf takes you to the Anglo-Saxon period and the land of the Danes and the Geats, where a mighty warrior battles fantastic monsters.

Characteristics of an Epic

• The hero is a legendary figure who performs deeds requiring incredible courage and strength.

• The hero embodies character traits that reflect lofty ideals.

As you read the poem, note some of the following characteristics of epic poetry:

• The poet uses formal diction and a serious tone.

• The poem reflect timeless values and universal themes.

Characteristics of an Epic

Friendship Good vs. Evil

Reading Old English Poetry

Here are some of the techniques used in an Old English poem:

Old English poetry is marked by a strong rhythm that is easy to chant or sing.

• alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, which helps unify the lines

So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes

˘ ΄ ˘ ˘ ΄ ˘ ΄ ˘ ΄ ˘ He took what he wanted, // all the treasures

• caesura, or a pause dividing each line, with each part having two accented syllables to help maintain the rhythm of the lines

Reading Old English Poetry

• kenning, a metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or name, which enhances meaning— for example, “mankind’s enemy” used in place of “Grendel”

As you read Beowulf, note examples of these techniques and consider their effect on rhythm and meaning in the poem.

Reading Old English Poetry

The vocabulary words in the box on the right help convey the monstrous forces Beowulf faces in the epic. Choose a word from the list that has the same definition as each numbered item.

affliction

gorge

infamous

lair

livid

loathsome

purge

talon

1. claw

2. burden

3. notorious

4. cram

[talon]

[affliction]

[infamous]

[gorge]

affliction n. a force that oppresses or causes suffering

gorge v. to stuff with food; glut

infamous adj. having a very bad reputation

lair n. the den or resting place of a wild animal

livid adj. discolored from being bruised

loathsome adj. disgusting

purge v. to cleanse or rid of something undesirable

talon n. a claw