The Anglo-The Anglo-Saxons: Saxons:

449–1066449–1066Introduction to the Introduction to the

Literary PeriodLiterary Period

The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066

300s B.C.Celts in Britain

55 B.C–A.D.409Roman Occupation

A.D. 449Anglo-Saxon Invasion

A.D. 400–699Spread of Christianity

A.D. 1066Norman Invasion

A.D.878King Alfred against the Danes

Choose a link on the time line to go to a milestone.

A.D.600

A.D.300

A.D. 1

300 B.C.

A.D.900

A.D. 1200

• Celtic religion a form of animism

Before and during the 4th century B.C.

Stonehenge• Druids were Celtic priests

• Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the Brythons

• Britain home to several Celtic tribes

The Roman OccupationThe Roman Occupation

55 B.C. Hadrian’s Wall

Romans evacuate their troops

• Central government breaks down

Julius Caesar invades Britain

Celts defeated by Claudius

A.D. 43

• Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads

Roman ruins

• Britain left vulnerable to attack

A.D. 409

Effects of Roman Effects of Roman InvasionInvasion

LatinLatin heavily influenced the English heavily influenced the English languagelanguage

Relative Relative PeacePeace

ChristianityChristianity begins to take hold in England begins to take hold in England (but does not fully displace Paganism for (but does not fully displace Paganism for several hundred years)several hundred years)

The Anglo-Saxon InvasionThe Anglo-Saxon Invasion

A.D. 449 The Anglo-Saxons push the Celts into the far west of the country.

Angles

Saxons

Jutes

Celts

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Anglo-Saxon Society

• kinship groups led by strong warrior chief

• people farmed, established local governments, produced fine craftwork

• English emerged as a written language

Page from Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Old English

The Anglo-Saxon religion

• offered no hope of an afterlife• valued earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty,

generosity, and friendship

• similar to what we call Norse mythology

ThunorThor

WodenOdin

Day of weekAnglo-Saxon godNorse god

Wednesday

Thursday

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

• Anglo-Saxons did not believe in afterlife

• warriors gained immortality through songs

Why were the scops important?

The Anglo-Saxon bards• called scops

Anglo-Saxon harp

• strummed harp as they sang• sang of heroic deeds• were often warriors

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

8th–9th centuries

Vikings called Danes invade Britain

King Alfred against the DanesKing Alfred against the Danes

878 King Alfred unifies Anglo-Saxons against the Danes.

871 Alfred of Wessex is king of England.

England becomes a nation.

King Sweyn and his Danish troops arrive in England, from a

manuscript (c. 14th century)

• Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist

The Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of Christianity

• Christian monks settle in Britain

• British pagan religions replaced by Christianity

Around A.D. 400

By A.D. 699

• William of Normandy crosses the English Channel

The Norman InvasionThe Norman Invasion

The Norman Invasion, Bayeux Tapestry

• French replaces English as the language of the ruling class

1066

• William defeats Harold and Anglo-Saxon army

ObjectivesObjectives

To identify characteristics of Anglo-Saxon culture as To identify characteristics of Anglo-Saxon culture as reflected in the writings of the periodreflected in the writings of the period

To analyze the relationship between literature and historyTo analyze the relationship between literature and history

To analyze the relationship between language and To analyze the relationship between language and literatureliterature

To analyze the relationship between Old English and To analyze the relationship between Old English and Modern EnglishModern English

To identify the literary elements of Anglo-Saxon poetryTo identify the literary elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry

To demonstrate an understanding of the Anglo-Saxon To demonstrate an understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period and literature by writing compositions of analysis period and literature by writing compositions of analysis and comparisonsand comparisons

On a clean sheet of paperOn a clean sheet of paperDon’t forget your nameDon’t forget your name

1.1. Why is the Anglo-Saxon period usually Why is the Anglo-Saxon period usually dated from 449?dated from 449?

2.2. Who is credited with the unification of Who is credited with the unification of England?England?

3.3. What function was performed by the scop?What function was performed by the scop?

4.4. What even brought the Anglo-Saxon period What even brought the Anglo-Saxon period to a close?to a close?