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British LiteratureUnit 1
The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066
Celtic Britain
Britain first mentioned by ancient Greeks
Legendary: remote and mysterious Island originally occupied by Celtic
Britons Conquered by the Romans in the first
century Around 410, Romans left the Celtic
people to find their own means of defense
Rise of the Anglo-Saxons
In 449, the Jutes (from the Jutland in Denmark) were the first of the Germanic invaders
In 600-850, the Angles and Saxons, wealthy independent lords and kings, invaded as well
But the Celtics did not retreat without a fight
Celtics experienced brief military success under leadership of King Arthur, Medieval legend
Celtic British culture collapsed by 600- Celts driven into Wales
Fall of the Celtic
Tribes and Language
These Germanic tribes brought Old English, Anglo-Saxon
Together they created Anglo- Saxon England
Old English is a branch of West German, related to modern German and Dutch
Modern English evolved from the language of Germanic Invaders
Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms
Fall of Anglo-Saxons
871-899 Viking Norsemen (“Danes”) began to
attack and were defeated
In 1066, the Normans invaded from across the English Channel instituted their own culture, bringing an end to the Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon Culture
Well developed society organized around the family, the clan, the tribe, and the kingdom
2 classes: The eorls, ruling class The ceorls, bondsmen, ancestors were former
slaves King relied on witan, wise men
Center of social life was the mead hall
Professional singers, scops, entertained
served as poets and chroniclerskept stories alive
Until end of 6th century, worshipped pagan gods---associated with Norse mythology now
Anglo-Saxon Social Life
At first, Christianity had little impact Until Saint Augustine, a famous
missionary, who came in 597, became the first Archbishop of Canterbury
Within 2 generations, Christianity spread throughout England
Missionaries brought education and culture
Christianity influenced literature, as monks recorded poetry that had been oral
Yet Anglo-Saxons still clung to pagan superstitions and customs
Rise of Christianity
Anglo-Saxon Values
Men of courage were admired Loyalty to the leader & the tribe were
essential Persons of rank were respected The ruler was expected to be
generous Everyone was aware life was
transitory Impersonal fate ,“wyrd”, ruled life
Anglo Saxon Literature
Anglo-Saxons brought literary traditions from the continent
Brought oral literature steeped in pagan beliefs
Focused on the brave and heroic deeds of warriors possessing valued attributes
Only surviving full length epic in Old English (from this tradition) is Beowulf
Anglo Saxon Poetry
The lyric and the riddle The lyric is personal and emotional The riddle describes person or object Both reveal
– love of language – terror of northern winter– awareness of death– reverence & fear of the sea
Audio Clip