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Unit 1- Coach Philley
The Anglo-Saxon Period
Centuries of Invasion
Often called the Dark Ages, the Anglo-Saxon period was a time of bloody conflicts, ignorance, violence, and barbarism. Life was not easy and the literature of the time reflected those difficulties. Many of the stories and poems present heroic struggles in which only the strong survived.
Early BritainPeople of the Island:
Britons (Celts)PictsGaels
Julius Caesar crossed the channel in 55 B.C.
Attempted to conquer British Isles
Faced opposition by fierce Celtic warriors
Claimed victory, then left
Roman army returned a century laterBritain became a province of the Roman
EmpireRoman rule lasted nearly 300 yearsBritain relied on Roman army for protection
Early in 5th century, Rome pulls out
Called home to defend crumbling empire
Britain lost:Central governmentArmy protection
Becomes target for invasion
Germanic tribes invade, beginning 449 A.D.Angles, Saxons, and Jutes
Main part of Britain renamed Angle-land, or England
Anglo-Saxon Britain
There appears to have been a Celtic chieftan named Arthur that fought against the Germanic invaders during this time. It is very likely that this was the source of the legendary King Arthur myth and folklore.
Arthurian Legend**
VikingsAlso called DanesSeafaring marauders
from the coasts of Denmark and Norway
looted, killed, and burned down entire villages
In the beginning, the Danes “hit and ran”. Later, they set up camps during the winter.Gained control of most of the north and east of
the country. In the south, the Danes were defeated by
powerful Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great.
1042-Edward the Confessor takes throne Descendent of Alfred the
GreatDies without an heir
William, Duke of NormandyEdward’s French cousinClaims Edward named
him heirLeads last successful
invasion of the island1066-After the Battle of
Hastings, crowned King of England
The Norman Conquest
Cultural Influences
Early Britain-paganstrong belief in wyrd, or fate. no belief in an afterlife
the only way to achieve some form of immortality was a name that would live on after your death.
great importance was placed on the heroic warriors
Religion
Roman BritainThe Britons became Christians after the
conversion of Constantine, along with the rest of the Roman Empire
After the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons, Christianity remained only in the remoter regions
Anglo-Saxon EnglandOriginally pagan597 A.D.-the Pope sends missionary Augustine
to Kent (south) to convert the KingEstablishes monastery at Canterbury
Missionaries from Ireland (north) begin teaching Christianity
Within 75 years, island is once more predominately Christian
MonasteriesCenters of
intellectual, literary, artistic, & social activity
Only opportunity for education
Most of what we have from this period was written by clergy
St. Paul’s Monastery
Roman SocietyIntroduced
cities, roads, & written scholarship
Hadrian’s Wall – an enormous wall constructed out of stone and turf to help with defense; named for Emperor Hadrian
British people enjoyed many of the luxuries of Rome, including villas and public baths
Clans or tribes:Safety in numbers, usually familial, gathered
around a superior leaderEntertainment:
Scop (poet), Bard (storyteller), rhapsodes or gleeman (singers) Gave news, sang songs, told stories, & asked
riddlesValued member of court
Anglo-Saxon Society
Great feasting in Mead Halls:served as a gathering place for spectacular
occasionsFeasted on pies and roasted meats, as well as
mead.Mead was fermented water and honey with
malt and yeast (beer).Thanes (warriors) and Athelings (nobles)
gathered in mead halls
The front of the mead hall was raised for the highest officials to sit. There were long tables down both of the sides where the thanes and athelings sat. There was a long fire pit down the center of the hall. Hay and dogs were on the floor.
Cruelly ferocious, but faithful until death to their leader.
Brave – liked action, fighting, and contests of physical strength.
Skill in all areas (taming a horse, swimming a river, choosing a camp site, sailing a ship, building a hall, ect.) and courage were primary qualities of successful king.
Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Society:
Fair play and sportsmanship was important.Generosity was aspect of heroic behavior –
the successful king was called a “ring-giver” or “bracelet-bestower”
Faithfulness to a cause, to a love, or to a quest.
Believed in Revenge very strongly – an eye for an eye
Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Society cont.
Celtic influence: place names like Kent and Avonthe lais or lays (lyrics or short verse romances)
Roman influence: small number of Latin words (mile, street)
Anglo-Saxon influence:Gutteral, vigorous language became the
spoken language of the people, now known as Old EnglishAlthough different from the English we speak
today, about half of our modern basic vocabulary comes from the Old English.
Language & Literature
Epic Long, narrative formal poemGrand scale, vast, many
characters & adventuresCentral character with heroic
qualities (but is human)Often has assistance from the
godsSometimes has a special
weaponNoble or of elevated birthFaces great obstacles/central
quest against an evil foe Memorized and performed
orallyWritten down years after
originally told