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PROBLEM:

England is an island and is open to attack from all sides – very difficult to defend

Three major inhabitants:

1. Celts

2. Romans

3. Anglo Saxons

Celts

Not pronounced like how you think

{Tall, blond warriors

Also called the Brythons

Mostly farmers who lived in clans

Polytheistic – animism –everything has a spirit

Stonehenge

King Arthur

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Started to be built in 122 by the Romans to form a clear border

Protection from the Picts (Scotland)

2 million tons of rock and soil

Every mile marked by a fort – includes 16 larger forts

75 miles long – 10 feet tall

Hadrian’s Wall

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Romans built roads and aqueductsThey brought Christianity, government, and moneyThey left in 406 – Why?

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Angles and Saxons from Germany and Jutes rom Denmark

Anglaterre – Land of Angels

Celts move to Wales

Many territories – many kings until . . .

871 King Alfred forces out the Jutes and Vikings –unifies England for the first time

King Alfred is a Christian and Brings:Somewhat national religion

Helps unification of country

Improves education

Develops literature

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Male dominated but treated women fairly

Three main concepts:

1. Mead Hall

2. Fate – wyrd

3. Comitatus relationship

Anglo Saxon Society

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Literature

Book of Exeter – 940

Oral tradition

Scops – oral poets

Gleeman – ass’s scop

Venerable Bede – first history of England

Alfred the Great – Anglo Saxon Chronicle

Poetry: Beowulf, Caedmon, The Battle of Maldon

Riddles

How do we know this stuff?

The period ends with the Norman Invasion in 1066 –more on that in a few days.