Anglo-Saxon History Anglo-Saxon History

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Britain before the Anglo-SaxonsBritain before the Anglo-Saxons

• Onslaught of battle ensued during the 5th century as warriors from Denmark and Germany bombarded the British coast– Identified themselves as Angles, Saxons and Jutes.- began their pirate raids on the north sea but by 449 in

was a full scale invasion.- Land was divided

- Eastern, southern, and central portion were “Angles” land or England – he heavily influenced Germanic dialect developed Angl –ish (English)

- These language patterns developed the culture and literature of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Britain before the InvasionBritain before the Invasion• Briton was inhabited by Iberians from present day

Spain and Portugal (Stonehenge was built in 2000 bc)

• They brought Stone Age weaponry to Britain’s shores.

• Between 800 and 600 bc celts invaded the british isles.– The brythons (Britons) who settled Britain and the

Gaels settled Ireland.– They were farmers and hunters – They were organized into tightly knit clans– Druid priests served as their governing force and

peace keepers• Druids were known for their religious rituals and

sacrifices• As well as their responsibility to reciting and

memorizing of long heroic poems of their ancestry (including Ole King Cole and King Lear)

Roman ConquestRoman Conquest

• Romans conquered Britain in 55 BC – Julius Caesar was sophisticated and calculating

• Disciplined Roman legions spread out throughout the land under the reign of Emperor Claudius– Formed camps that grew into towns– Constructed roads through the woodland wilderness– Brought with them skilled art of warfare however didn’t teach the

Britons about self-defense– Their lasted for over 300 years– Romans left Britain to defend Rome in 407

• Britons fell easy prey to new invaders

Anglo-Saxon ConquestAnglo-Saxon Conquest

• The Angles and Saxons were ferocious but for a purpose – they sought and won territory

• They had highly organized tribal units which were ruled by a chosen king a witan or council of elders– Earls were a hereditary class of warlords– Second class were freemen – allowed to own land and engage in

commerce • these included thanes who were granted status as a reward for

military service• Churls or serfs were bonded servants who worked the land in return

for military protection

Anglo-Saxon beliefsAnglo-Saxon beliefs• Over time the tribes intermingled and produced a new

language Old English• 6th century pagan beliefs had a very grim view in life –

encompassed the realm of– Scotland, Northumbria, Ireland, Danelaw, Wales, Mercia, and

Wessex

• Believed their lives were in the hands of fate – with ever present danger of accidental death or death by warfare

• This differed greatly from Christian faith in the freedom to choose your own path.

• Worshipped ancient pagan gods that abandoned with the coming of Christianity but still find evidence of them today:– Tin: the god of war and sky = Tuesday– Woden: chief of the Gods = Wednesday– Fria: Woden’s wife and goddess of home = Friday

Transition fleeing of the CeltsTransition fleeing of the Celts• Afraid of the Anglo-Saxons, the

Britons retreated to the cliffs of their island – Cornwall on the southwestern shore, hilly western region now known as Wales and to the north, modern day Ireland

• The formed splinter groups named Scots (from Scotia the Roman word for Ireland)

• All the areas they spoke celtic languages – Cornish, Welsh, and Irish and Scottish Gaelic – all but Cornish are still spoken commonly today.

Enter the ChristiansEnter the Christians• 4th century the Romans accepted Christianity and

introduced it to Britain, which despite Anglo-Saxon invasion lived on in Wales and with the Celts.

• The strength of the faith was carried on by St. Patrick into Ireland were it spread by his legendary activities.

• It was a time of great Barbarism – after the Romans fell to the tribes in 476 ad Celtic Christians were left to continue on its own – flourishing and strengthening the church.

• In 563 with the help of the soldier and abbot, Columba, and Irish monks Christianity moved its way across the Britain winning the acceptance of the Scots as well as many Angles and Saxons – establishing monasteries throughout the North.

Roman churchRoman church• 597 ad sent St. Augustine throughout England

and converted King Elthelbert of Kent to Christianity – and created the monastery at Canterbury (aka “Tales”).

• In turn converted his subjects to Christianity• By 650 most of England was Christian in name

as well as fact.– It softened the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxon civilization– Warlords no longer thought themselves to be

descendants of gods and treated their wives and children less like slaves

– The church promoted peace and calling on a higher power to unify the English people

Christianity and LiteratureChristianity and Literature

• Christianity brought about education and written literature – Canterbury and York

• Monks worked as scribes recording and duplicating manuscripts in Latin – elaborately decorated in gold and silver

• Venerable Bede often referred to as “father of English History (673-735) – was a master of history most known for his A History of the English Church and People – which offers the clearest account of Anglo-Saxon times.

• Although Christianity did temper civilization it did not destroy the barbarian spirit which is depicted in the classic tale of Beowulf – – Anglo-Saxon warriors fighting supernatural beasts for

the good of all humanity

Origins of Anglo-Saxon PoetryOrigins of Anglo-Saxon Poetry• Recitation of poetry occurred on ceremonial occasions – military

victory – They would gather in a hall or castle and perform the stories for

entertainment– These performances usually involved professional minstrels, scops, and

their assistants called gleemen – recited for hours even days.– Poems were set to a harp and followed a set formula making them easier

to memorize.– A rigid pattern of word stresses gave the lyrics a sing-song effect and a

mid-line pause (a caesura) along with alliteration helped create a dramatic effect to capture audiences.

– Only about 30, 000 lines of tradional Anglo-Saxon verse still exist • They fall into 2 categories – • heroic poetry = which recounts the achievements of warriors involved in great

battles • Elegiac poetry = sorrowful laments that mourn the death of loved ones

Beowulf LegendBeowulf Legend• An epic – a long heroic poem –

– contain a great deal of history, usually invoking a muse or goddess for inspiration

– Also includes an experience of nekuia, or descent to the underworld

– National epic of England because it was the first epic composed in the English language

• Beowulf is renowned for his strength, courage, and dignity

• Like most Anglo-Saxon poetry the author is unknown– Recited as early as the 6th century, composed in the 8th

century, and written down in the eleventh century

• Poem makes many references to Christian ideas and Latin classics crossed with the traditional values of a warrior society – bravery and prowess in battle

The EndThe End