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20 FACTS About the Anglo-Saxon Age
Early Anglo-Saxons lived in groups called tribes
These tribes had the following levels:The Leader – chosen for strength. Remained leader until defeated
The Elders – older tribe members who had proven themselves in battle.
The Warriors – strongest male members. Followed the leader without question.
The Women – had some rights, but few
The Philosophy of the Tribe:
“What will be, will be.” Believed strongly in Fate. They used animal sacrifices to see “omens.” Very superstitious.
The Meadhall
The meeting place for each tribe was a building called the meadhall.
Mead was the drink of the warriors.
Mead is a sweet, alcoholic beverage made of honey, sugar, water, spices, and barley.
Equipment of the Warrior
Sword – steel blade and gold handle
Coat of Mail – chain suit for armor
Helmet – covered the head completely
Spear – ash wood, with a banner
Horse – provided by the leader whenever possible
Shield – round, usually made of wood
Cultural Influences on England
Ancient Brythons 300 BC – c. 65 AD
Romans – 55 BC – 409 AD
Angles and Saxons – 449 – 1066Came from Germany
Danes – came from Denmark
Vikings – came from Sweden
Religion
Early Anglo-Saxons believed in many gods and goddesses. Their religion was very similar to the ancient Norse religion.
Woden or Odin – chief god. “Wednesday”
Thunor or Thor – god of thunder and weather. “Thursday”
Burial Rituals
Burial involved gods and elements of fire and water. Body was either placed on a stand (pyre) and burned with all possessions, or placed on a boat with possessions and pushed out to sea.
Christianity
In 597 Augustine, a priest from Rome, brought Christianity to England. The tribes began to convert. Christianity had a calming effect on the tribal culture, and gave the Anglo-Saxons something in common with the rest of Europe.
Storytellers
An important person in the tribe was called a bard or scop. They were educated storytellers, and were treated as honored guests. Their tales of great warriors embodied the values of the culture.
Poetry
Two types of poetry: heroic and elegiac.
Heroic Poetry: poetry that recounts the achievements of warriors
Elegiac Poetry: Lamenting the deaths of loved ones and the loss of the past.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
The only complete history of these early Anglo-Saxons in existence.
Monasteries
Became the stronghold of faith and learning. Valuable documents and treasures were stored there. They were the first places hit when tribes attacked each other.
Epic
An epic is a long story, written in poetic form, about a hero who performs brave deeds. The theme was good versus evil, and good always won.
Epic Hero
Epic heroEpic hero-Unrealistically great warrior that exemplifies the ideal man for a particular society. He always has a tragic flaw or hubris.
RiddlesBecame popular with the bards. Only a few survive.
On earth this warrior is strangely born Of two dumb creatures, drawn gleaming Into the world, bright and useful to men.
It is tended, kept, covered by women--Strong and savage, it serves well,
A gentle slave to firm masters Who mind its measure and feed it fairly With a careful hand. To these it brings Warm blessings; to those who let it run
Wild it brings a grim reward.
The Norman Conquest
In 1066, England faced an invasion from William, Duke of Normandy, on the coast of France. He killed the last Anglo-Saxon King in the Battle of Hastings and became William I of England.
This ended the Anglo-Saxon Age and marked the beginning of
The Middle Ages.
Beowulf
Beowulf is the only manuscript that survived the monastery destruction by Henry VIII.
First epic poem written in English (Old English).
Written c.650 A.D.
By Whom?By whom was it written?
Originally oral. Translated or retold by a Bard (Scop) until first written down c.650 A.D.The Beowulf-poet, scholars believe, was an English monk (and therefore, ChristianChristian)
About Whom? Even though the poet himself was English and Christian, the poem is about neither Englishmen nor (full-fledged) Christians
It is the story of several Scandinavian peoples (tribes, really), mainly the Geats and the Danes, but also the Swedes. Beowulf is a Geat. He goes to the aid of the Danes, whose king is Hrothgar
Who are the main characters?
The Geats
The Danes
The Monsters
The Geats
Beowulf (hero)
Higlac (Beowulf’s uncle, king of the Geats at the story’s opening)
Edgetho (Beowulf’s father-dead)
Hrethel (lord that takes in Beowulf after his father died)
Hrunting (Beowulf’s sword, given to him by Unferth)
The Geats Cont.
Wiglaf (Beowulf’s right-hand man, king after Beowulf)
Wextan (Wiglaf’s father)
The Danes
Hrothgar (king)
Herot (his great and famous mead hall)
Unferth (Hrothgar’s right-hand man, jealous of Beowulf)
Healfdane (father of Hrothgar)
The Monsters
Grendel
Grendel’s mother
Dragon
Literary Terms
Allegory-A story in which the characters, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts.
Kenning-A compound (usually two word and hyphenated) term which employs figurative language in place of a single-word, concrete noun.
Allusion-A reference to another literary work (often the Bible or mythology).
Literary TermsEpithet-An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality of characteristic of a person.
Hyperbole-Exaggerated statements typically not meant to be taken literally.
Alliteration-The repetition of letters or sounds in closely connected words.
Caesura-A break or pause near the middle of a line.
Allegory
Grendel stands for fratricide; he is born of Cain (who is know for killing his brother). The Geats, Danes, and Swedes, were in many ways “brothers,” but they were also at war. The story itself can be read as an allegory for man’s indecision and willingness to conform. Consider the characters religious convictions (compared with the time period in which the story was written) and how easily they change depending on the situation.
The Title
Beowulf was originally written in Old English which, despite its name, bears little resemblance to modern English.
The word beowulf means “bee wolf” which a kenning meaning “bear”.
Read to find out if this is a fitting name for the hero of the tale.
Important Themes in the Poem
Fame (often achieved through war)Masculine and feminine roles in the worldChristianity emerging as the dominant faithThe end of comitatus (everyone protects the king at all costs even if it means a warrior giving up his own life)
