Anglo-Saxons: 449-1066

History

• •

Roman occupation: 55B.C to A.D 409.

Came with Julius Caesar-stayed 400 years.

• • • •

Created a government Built defensive walls Built roads.

When they left they took their government England open to invasion

Anglo-Saxon invasion

• • • •

Angles and Saxon (Germany/Dutch) took over-imposed language and warrior culture.

Brought loyalty to communities Saw religion as grim Storytellers (scopes) important

• •

Scopes told the history through songs Divided into clans until King Alfred the Great of Wessex in the ninteth century.

Spread of Christianity

•

Christianity introduces to Britain during Roman occupation

•

5 th century became dominate religion

•

By 7

th

century Paganism almost extinct

William the Conqueror

• • •

Crossed English Channel in 1066 Defeated Anglo Saxon armies (Battle of Hastings) Ended Anglo-Saxon culture in England.

• • • •

The British Legacy

British gradually create political system of (by the people for the people) US would not be what it is today without British Common law, government and language.

Great Britain invaded/settled many times Each invader formed formed what Britain is today

The Spirit of the Celts

• • • • Celts-tall blonde warrior , Brythons,Britons.

Britian came from the words Brythons,and Britons.

Animism-Latin word for spirit.

Priests (druids) acted as intermediates for Gods an people.

• Britons have long hair, shaved bodies, and dye their bodies for a more terrifying appearance in battle.

The Celtic Heroes/Heroines

 Sir Thomas Malory gathered legends together and made the Le Morte d’Arthur-which was about a king who became the embodiment if British Values  Celtic legends are full of strong women such as Queen Maeve of Connacht  Celtic tales let magic and imagination rule

Anglo-Saxon’s Sweep Ashore

• • • • The attack came forth the north during the cluration of the 5 th century The invaders consisted of Angles and Saxons tribe members They settled the greater part of Britain and from there took the name of Engla Land.

The celts were newcomers to England but it wasn’t easy for them, so they moved to wales.

A light from Ireland

• • • In 432 the whole Celtic Ireland was converted to Christianity by a Romanized Britain named Patrick 432 to 750 Ireland experienced a Golden Age Irish monks founded monasteries that became sanctuaries of learning for refugee scholars from Europe and England

Anglo-Saxon Life

• 1939 in Suffolk, England an enormous ship grave was discovered.

• • Which represents the burial of a Great King or noble warrior.

Reminded them of King Beowulfs grave.

The Romans

• • • • Caesar invades Britain in 55 B.C.

Conquers Celts Provided a military for Anglo-Saxons Built roads (still used today) and defensive wall (73 miles long) • • • • Christianity becomes unifying force Celts religion to vanish Romans evacuated from Britain in A.D. 409 Left everything behind but a central government

 Fame and success was gained from loyalty to the leader  Beowulf gained his respect by defeating the monster who tried to kill King Hrothgar

Social Influences

• • • • Based on warfare Women Rights after Norman Conquest in 1066 Morgengifu (morning gift) of money and land Women had personal control over gift • • Women abbesses controlled large double houses Hild most famous abbesses

Anglo-Saxon Religion

• • • • • Each god had a purpose Were more concerned with ethics than with mysticism.

Warrior gods/like mythology From Germany Earthy virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship.

The Bards

• • • Cummunal Hall provided shelter for Scopes to tell stories.

Scopes-was also called Bards or story tellers.

Sang of Gods and heroes.

Hope in Immortal Verse

 Anglo – Saxton lit. contains work in same elegiac,( mournful, strain)  For non-Christian A-S only fame and commemoration in poetry provide defense against death

The Christian Monasteries

• • • Monasteries served as center of learning Preserved literature such as Beowulf Monks assigned to monastery copied manuscripts by hand • Scriptoriums writing room) had makeshift walls.

The rise of the English Language

• •

Latin was only language in England till King Alfred Alfred instituted Anglo – Saxon chronicle, covered earliest days until 1154

Fast Facts

• • • King Alfred of Wessex unite Anglo-Saxons in England, late ninth century Scopes (poets) old stories in early British culture Christian monks copy ancient manuscripts

Major Works-Beowulf

– archetype-good vs. evil – Main character’s: Beowulf-Hero – Next

Click on the title to play the trailer.

from

Beowulf

Characteristics of an Epic

An

epic,

a long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a great hero, has the power to transport you to another time and place.

Beowulf

takes you to the Anglo-Saxon period and the land of the Danes and the Geats, where a mighty warrior battles fantastic monsters.

Characteristics of an Epic

As you read the poem, note some of the following characteristics of epic poetry: • The

hero

is a legendary figure who performs deeds requiring incredible courage and strength.

• The hero embodies

character traits

that reflect lofty ideals.

Characteristics of an Epic

• The poet uses formal

diction

and a serious

tone.

• The poem reflect timeless values and

universal themes.

Friendship Good vs. Evil

Reading Old English Poetry

Old English poetry is marked by a strong rhythm that is easy to chant or sing.

Here are some of the techniques used in an Old English poem: •

alliteration,

or the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, which helps unify the lines

So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes

Reading Old English Poetry

•

caesura,

or a pause dividing each line, with each part having two accented syllables to help maintain the rhythm of the lines

Reading Old English Poetry

•

kenning,

a metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or name, which enhances meaning in place of “Grendel” — for example, “mankind’s enemy” used As you read

Beowulf,

note examples of these techniques and consider their effect on rhythm and meaning in the poem.

The vocabulary words in the box on the right help convey the monstrous forces Beowulf faces in the epic. Choose a word from the list that has the same definition as each numbered item.

1. claw [

talon

] 2. burden 3. notorious 4. cram [

affliction

] [

infamous

] [

gorge

]

affliction gorge infamous lair livid loathsome purge talon

affliction

n.

a force that oppresses or causes suffering

gorge

v.

to stuff with food; glut

infamous

adj.

having a very bad reputation

lair

n.

the den or resting place of a wild animal

livid

adj.

discolored from being bruised

loathsome

adj.

disgusting

purge

v.

to cleanse or rid of something undesirable

talon

n.

a claw