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