Beowulf’s World

Anglo-Saxon England

5th century AD – Romans withdraw from Britannia

Three Tribes: Angles, Saxons, and Jutes

596 AD – Pope Gregory the Great sends St. Augustine,

monasticism and Christianity spread

Romans & Britannia

Way of Life

Sutton Hoo: http://youtu.be/uxUMc_7K5wM

Anglo-Saxon Ordeals: http://youtu.be/D4UeVL4SKoQ

Brief History: http://youtu.be/Vzxiz3Kw9eI

Seafaring capabilities = Vikings

Communal living = no privacy

Lack of medical knowledge = Ever-present threat of death

A very unstable world calls for strict social/moral codes to help keep

society from crumbling into chaos.

Comitatus – bond existing between a warrior and his king/lord

Thane – loyal warrior friend

Wergild – man-price

Ubi Sunt – Where are those who were before us?

Horse and the Rider

Life in Anglo-Saxon England

Beowulf’s Setting

Two settings – Denmark and Geatland

Merging of Christianity and Paganism

God vs Wyrd

http://youtu.be/yYBM118uim0