Anglo-Saxon Lecture

Fall 2011

ENGLAND

A towering circle of ancient stones, draped in the mist of centuries. The clatter of horses’ hooves, the clash of swords and spears. A tiny island whose motley tongue would become the language of the world, and laws, customs, and literature would help form Western civilization. This is England, and the story begins here.

Map of England

Anglo-Saxon Period (Dark Ages)

Difficult life Bloody conflicts, violence, barbarism

Literature Reflects reality of the time

Serious minded people Little humor in literature Stories & poems present heroic struggle

Only strong survive

Stonehenge

Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2200 BC

Three reasons Religious rituals Calendar Way to contact extra-terrestrial beings

Winter equinox & summer solstice The Sun and the gaps in structure

Stonehenge image

Roman Influence

Julius Caesar—55 BC False claim of victory

Claudius—43 AD Success

Aspects of Society Cities Roads

Trade, tax collection & troop movement

Written scholarship Christianity

Roman Influence

“Romanized” Britons adoption Urban lifestyle Lived in villas Frequented public baths

Evacuation Returned to Rome in early 5th century to

help defend empire against invaders England became a target for attack

without Roman protection

Anglo-Saxons

Arrived around 449 AD King Arthur

Celtic chieftain Battled invaders

Celts Believed human soul lied within the head Strong women folk legends

Basis for English culture and language

Vikings

Invaded in 790s Seafaring marauders from Denmark

and Norway Alfred the Great

Defeated the Danes Unified the English

Learning and culture flourished Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Record of English history

Norman Conquest

Edward the Confessor 1042 ascended to the throne No children

Swore to make French cousin William, Duke of Normandy, his heir (according to William)

Death in 1066 Harold named as successor

William revolted

Battle of Hastings

1066 Harold dies

On Christmas Day, William is crowned king WILLIAM the CONQUEROR

Ended Anglo-Saxon dominance Noble families lost land and became

peasants

Spread of Christianity

Pagan religion Wyrd—god of all controlling fate Days of the week

Tui-god of war—Tuesday Woden-father of gods—Wednesday Thor-god of thunder—Thursday

Comitatus Bond between a warrior and his followers

Christianity Arrival

597 AD Roman missionary Augustine arrives Establishes monastery in Canterbury Pagan traditions and beliefs still evident

Monasteries Intellectual Literary Artistic Social Activity

Record of English people

Clergy at monastery Venerable Bede

A History of the English Church and People

Vikings destroyed monasteries Wanted to rid all trace of cultural

refinement

Epic Tradition

Early literature took form of epic poem Praised deeds of heroic warriors

Reality of life Mead halls

Nobles and kings gathering place

Scops—professional poets who brought poems to life

Epics as Entertainment

More than entertainment History lesson Moral sermon Pep talk Instilled cultural pride

Taught how a true hero would behave

Epic

Epic Poem that tells the story of a great hero and

reflect the values of the culture from which it comes

Celebrates a hero’s deeds

Historical Kennings

Descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun Example: Noun-police kenning-law enforcer

Epic Hero Traits

Superior to other men Larger than life actions

Still human Vulnerable Capable of death

Christian characteristics Kindness Loyalty Gentleness

Strives for honor and fame

Beowulf Poet

Oldest surviving epic Chanted or sung aloud

Author anonymous Middle 7th century to late 10th century

Christian influence evident in poem Character of Beowulf

Hero who comes to rescue people Surviving copy

1000 AD