Anglo-Saxons(449-1066)

I. American culture has been strongly influenced by the British

A. Government

B. Language & literature

C. Religion

II. Early British Invaders

A. Around 800 B.C. a group of Celts called Brythons/Britons invaded

1. The name Britain comes from “Brython”2. Celts practiced a mystical religion

B. About 50 A.D. Rome invaded1. Brought Christianity to the island2. Brought Latin (language of the church)

C. In 449 Angles, Saxons & Jutes (Anglo-Saxons) from Germany took control1. “England” means “land of Angles”2. Although they converted to Christianity, they retained some beliefs from their magical religion (Thor, Wooden)

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• D. Normans (from France) gained control of the island in 1066

III. Anglo-Saxon Culture

A. Valued bravery, loyalty & generosity

B. Lived short lives full of hard labor, sickness, and disease

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C. Scops/bards memorized and told the people’s stories at special events.

D. Monasteries were libraries/schools

1. Monks wrote history & stories in Latin2. English was considered a vulgar language

Sample text in Old English (Beowulf)

E. King Alfred, the Great1. Loved for fighting off the Vikings during his lifetime2. Had the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle written in English