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Anglo Saxon Lecture
450-1066
Anglo Saxon England (449-1066)
I. Early Inhabitants (Henge people, Celts/Britons)II. Roman DominanceIII. The Anglo-Saxons
a. Invasion (449 A.D.)b. Civilization
1. Characteristics of the people2. Worship of pagan gods3. Conversion to Christianity (597 A.D.)4. Language5. Literature
a. Beowulf and epicb. Elegiac lyricsc. Riddlesd. Bedee. Caedmonf. Danish Invasion (859 A.D.)
IV. King Alfred the Great (849-901)
The story of England is a
story of a series of
invasions and a cultural
revolution.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge: Origin
Religious Rituals?
Calendar?
Celtic Tribes
•Celt/Briton
•Chieftain
Religion
Druids
Human Sacrifice
Cannibals
Celts Cont.
Settled agriculture Used money Political unity Superior caste of learned men
and woman
Roman Invasion
Emperor Claudius
Roman Invasion Cont.
Tacitus Queen Boudicca
Roman Invasion & Civilization
Built roads, elegant buildings, & baths
Brought Christianity and coins to Celts
Roman Civilization
Roman baths in Bath, England
Hadrian's Wall
Defense against the invading Picts
Fall of Roman Empire
410 AD Romans withdraw
Celts vulnerable to attack
Vortigern
Anglo Saxons
Legend of King Arthur
Nennius
Celtic
“dux bellorum”
Round Table Located?
Legend Reality?
Anglo Saxon People
Angle-land Kinship/
Lordship
Comitatus Fame and
glory in battle
Materialism
Sutton Hoo Burial Ship
Sutton Hoo Helmet
Terry Herbert – Treasure Hunter
Saxon Gold Hoard
1,500 pieces
$5.5 million in gold!
Holds monetary and historic value
"Rise up O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee," reads the Latin inscription on this strip of gold
More Treasures…
Treasures
Treasures Cont.
Materialism Cont.
From Pagan to Christian
Pagan virtues: courage in battle; fame Life moved from “battle to feast and
feast to battle” polytheistic
Conversion to Christianity Augustine Monasteries More peaceful and unified
Old English
In off the moors, down through the mist bandsGod-cursed Grendel came greedily loping.
The bane of the race of men roamed forth,
hunting for a prey in the high hall.Under the cloud-murk he moved towards it until it shone above him, a sheer keepof fortified gold.
Beowulf in Old English
He saw many men in the mansion, sleeping, a ranked company of kinsmen and warriors quartered together. And his glee was demonic,picturing the mayhem: before morning he would rip life from limb and devour them, feed on their flesh; but his fate that night was due to change, his days of ravening had come to an end.
Epic Poem: Beowulf
Anglo Saxon Literature
Epic
Elegiac lyrics
Scops
Riddles
An Anglo Saxon RiddleOn 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.
An Anglo Saxon RiddleI saw a silvery creature scurrying
Home, as lovely and light as heavenItself, running with stolen treasure
Between its horns. It hoped, by deceitAnd daring and art, to set an arbor There in that soaring castle. Then,
A shining creature, known to everyoneOn earth, climbed the mountains and cliffs,
Rescued his prize, and drove the wilyImposter back to darkness. It fled
To the west, swearing revenge. The morningDust scattered away, dew
Fell, and the night was gone. And no oneKnew where the soft-footed thief had vanished.
Christian Writers (Scribes)
Venerable Bede
History of the English Church and People
The Father of English History
King Alfred The Great
Alfred the Great Cont.
Translated literature Promoted learning Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1066 Battle of Hastings
“When Angles and Saxons came hither from the East, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war – smiths overcame the Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home.” from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle
