View
2
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Old English If you have headphones, go ahead and follow the link below and answer the following questions. If you do not have headphones, proceed to the following slides and write notes on the bullet points and anything in bold. If you prefer to type your notes, that is fine, but be sure to print them and place them in your binder for binder check.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEaSxhcns7Y
Answer the following with complete sentences.
1. When did the Norman Conquest occur? (DOK 1)
2. Describe the affect of the Norman Conquest on the English language. (DOK 2)
3. Is today’s English the same as the English spoken a thousand years ago? Support your answer with details and examples. (DOK 3)
Time: 10 minutes-ish
The Celts The Celts arrived from
Europe around 900 BCE
(Before Common Era).
The Celts consisted of two tribes:
the Brytons who inhabited what
is now known as Britain, and the
Geals who in habited what is now
known as Ireland.
Celtic leaders
were often Druids,
who were priests.
Druids
preserved the
people’s myths
and legends by
reciting poems.
The Romans (55 BCE – 407 CE)
The Romans arrived in 55 BCE and did not leave until
407 CE, ruling for 300 years.
The Romans established roads and towns in England.
They also brought Christianity.
They left because there was a battle occurring in Italy
that needed reinforcements.
Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period
ranges from 449-1066 CE.
This period begins when the Romans leave England to fight a battle in Italy.
With the Romans gone, England was sparsely populated and therefore easy to invade.
Anglo-Saxon PeriodWhen the Romans left England, it was left largely unguarded (and not particularly populated), which opened the door for three groups of Germanic invaders – the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes.
These three tribes were easily able to row up the island nation’s rivers and claim the land they wanted.
Anglo-Saxon Culture The Venerable Bede
The Father of English History
lived from 673-735 CE
wrote A History of the English Church and People
clearest account of Anglo-Saxon culture
Anglo-Saxon CultureThe Sea: Angles,
Saxons, and Jutes
were seafarers,
skilled sailors, and
ship builders.
Home life: This is a
reproduction of an
Anglo-Saxon home. In
addition to sailing,
they maintained an
agricultural society.
Anglo-Saxon Culture
War: The Anglo-
Saxons
were often under
attack by the Danes
a.k.a the Vikings.Religion: The Anglo-
Saxons arrived with their
own pagan beliefs. Their
word for fate was
“wyrd,” and their religion
heavily supported the
concept of fate.
Woden: King
of the Anglo-
Saxon Gods;
married to
Fria, goddess
of home and
childbirth
Anglo-Saxon CultureRoman cleric Augustine (St. Augustine) arrives in 597 CE,
and is able to convert the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelbert to
Christianity which results in the entire nation being
converted to Christianity.
- The English people began to unite because
of the Church’s teachings on peace.
- The Church also brought a focus on
education and writing to England.
- Monks worked as scribes, recording Anglo-
Saxon poems and stories.
Anglo-Saxon
Hierarchy
King – expected to be generous to his loyal subjects
Thanes – claimed kinship to the founder of a tribe; they were expected to be loyal; they were also the warriors
Everyone else (freemen – “ceorl”)
Artisans – created ornate works of art, weapons, and armor
Craftsmen/women – performed a variety of needed services – such as beekeepers, shepherds, and cheese makers
Slaves – not always a part of this society; may be that not all tribes had slaves; may be that tribes sometimes had slaves and sometimes did not (ex: the U.S. had slaves in its beginning, but now it does not); slaves worked a variety of jobs
Anglo-Saxon community center or “the
club” or place of entertainment
The Mead Hall (elaborate interior)
Anglo-Saxon Community Center or “the
Club” or place of entertainment
The Mead Hall (more normal or modest interior)
Anglo-Saxon Literature Few people read in this period.
oral tradition – stories performed and/or sung by
a Scop (pronounced like “shop”) from memory
Scops – poet/minstrels
authors are unknown
Characteristic Features of
Anglo-Saxon Literature
Alliteration – repetition of initial consonant sounds
Kennings – similar to metaphors
Caesura – pause in the middle of the line
Alliteration
repetition of beginning consonant sounds
Example: “That he feels no fear as the sails unfurl.” – the Seafarer
Kenning Kenning – a metaphorical phrase used to
replace a concrete noun
Ex: sea = whale’s home
Ex: battle = spear play
It is like a mini-riddle.
Caesura
– a natural pause in the middle of a line of
poetry.
2 part line – each line is separated by a pause
or break in the middle of the line; each part
generally has 2 strong beats.
•(Put simply, it is a dramatic pause in the middle of a line.)
Caesura example:
Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim,
Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword
Struck with fury despairing of life
Thrust at the throat broke through the bone
rings:
The stout blade stabbed through her fated flesh.
Recommended