The Anglo-Saxon Period: Historical ContextCenturies of Invasion in England

English 12 College Beowulf

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•unsuccessfully attempted to conquer the British Isles in 55 B.C., but laid claim to land anyway-- despite the Celtics holding him back•One hundred years later, the forceful Roman Army returned to claim Caesar’s land - Britain then became a Roman Empire province ruled under Roman leaders who ruled Britain for 300 years.•Romans introduced roads, cities, writing, and Christianity to the Britons; being “Romanized” helped to civilize the “barbaric” Britons.•The new Roman lifestyle brought urban culture to Britons and the citizens depended on Roman army for protection•Romans abandoned due to conflicts at home, which opened Britain up for invasion and the country was soon invaded.

•Germanic tribes arrived from Northern Europe around AD 449•Fought against the Britons and Chief Arthur (perhaps the inspiration for King Arthur), driving Britons (who were made up of Celts, Picts and Gaels) to the west, north, and France. The Celts landed in Ireland, which is why Ireland is still Celtic today.•Took over main part of Britain and named it Angle-land (England)•Anglo-Saxon Culture - basis for English culture, and the language became known as Old English. Thanks to these invaders, we have the language we have today.•a fearsome group, arrived in 790’s from Denmark and Norway•Looted, killed, and burned villages; eventually stayed for the warmer winters•The vicious Vikings were initially defeated by Alfred the Great in 886, who was the Anglo-Saxon King•Unified England and under his rule learning and culture flourished•Alfred the Great gave us The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was the first record of English history

•People’s character/culture changed from being violent seafaring wanderers who lived short lived lives to agricultural people who were more civilized•They had a Pagan religion, which had strong beliefs in wyrd (fate)

•Edward the Confessor took over in 1042•Had no heirs, so he promised his cousin William, duke of Normandy (France), that he could be king•Upon Edward’s death, the council of nobility and church officials chose the English earl Harold instead•William was upset & led the (French)Normandy Army to invade Britain - last successful invasion of the island•Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings (1066) & William the Conqueror was crowned King of England•Ended Anglo-Saxon dominance - nobles sank into peasantry & new class of Normans took their places. The English people now have a French king, French culture and French language, making our language today a blend of yet another people’s language.

Julius Caesar: He and Romans: 1st InvadersDark AGES:

Angles and Saxons : Second Invaders who eventually became the Anglo-Saxons

The Vikings: New Invaders to England

Anglo-Saxon Culture Change over time – due to Christianity. Went from being fatalistic to being influenced by Christianity

The Norman Conquest: Alfred’s cuz (Edward)shows little family loyalty and invites the French for the last invasion

English 12 College Beowulf

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•Significant amount of Christian missionaries by AD 300 - spread to Ireland and Scotland•597 – Roman Missionary, Saint Augustine established a monastery at Canterbury•by 690 all of Britain was mostly Christian•Monasteries became the center of intellectual, literary, artistic, and social activity•Only opportunity for education•Imported books from the Continent which were painstakingly copied by hand•Some original works were written mostly in Latin - this was the language of the church - later they were translated to Old English (the spoken language of the time)•The earliest record of history of the English people came from the clergy at monasteries•Venerable Bede, the greatest of these monks, was the author of A History of the English Church and People•Vikings plundered (ROBBED AND LOOTED) monasteries during invasions and threatened to get rid of all cultural refinement•Christianity remained a dominant force

•Praised deeds of heroic warriors•Reflected reality of life at the time – brutal•Recited by scops (professional poets and oral historians) in mead halls /shops/ or /shopes/•More than simple entertainment•Instilled cultural pride and how a hero should behave•Reminded listeners they were helpless at the hands of fate (wyrd)•Oral art form•Memorized & performed•Not written down•As Christianity spread, more likely to be written down by hand•Only a fraction of the poetry survived•Most famous, Beowulf - Tale of a heroic warrior who battles monsters and dragons to protect people – not recorded until 700s

•Most Old English poems are anonymous•Most are written in Latin until Alfred the Great – made the change to English•Used Kennings – adjective phrases that substitute boring nouns

•Reflected everyday reality•Some mourn loss and death•Some express religious faith or moral instruction

Effects of Christianity

Epic Poems

Early Authors

Lyric Poems

Literature of the Times