AngloSaxon Period 449 1066 English IV Mrs Gee

Anglo-Saxon Period 449 -1066 English IV- Mrs. Gee

Beginnings: § Celts: 300 s B. C. § Brythons were a group of Celts (Hence the name Britain) § Romans: 55 B. C. § Caesar crosses the English Channel § 43 A. D. Britain becomes part of the Roman Empire § 409 A. D. Roman legions withdraw from Britain leaving it ripe for attack

Beginnings (Cont. ): § Angles, Saxons, Jutes: 449 A. D. § Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and Germany § Celts retreated into Wales (Arthur is a legendary Celtic chieftain) § 597 A. D. St. Augustine converts King Ethelbert to Christianity (Thereby converting all Anglo-Saxons)

Alfred the Great § Only Anglo-Saxon king to successfully defend the island from invasion § A great patron of learning § Commissioned the translation of many Latin works

Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle § Two Classes in Anglo -Saxon society § Earls (eorls) § Rulers of the tribe. Related to the tribe’s founder § Churls (ceorls, bondservants) § Ancestors had been captured by the tribe

Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont) § Simple Lifestyle § Built villages § Mead halls were the center of village life § Communal farmers § Social organization was based on strict societal laws and a sense of obligation to others

Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont) § Militaristic Society § Comitatus: The relationship between the chieftain and his warriors § Avenge each other’s deaths/sufferings § Most important Anglo-Saxon relationship (Even over kinship) § Chieftain was the absolute ruler, but he would still consult with the witan (wise men), an assembly of respected elders

Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont) § Sea-Going Society § Important for trade because of the isolation of the island § Family Unit § Wergild: Obligation of the family to seek repayment (Money, property, blood) for the death of a family member § Literally translated as “man payment”

Anglo-Saxon Religion § Worshipped many different dieties including idols, nature, and animals § Norse Gods/Goddesses § Odin (Woden)- God of death, poetry, and magic § Thor (Thunor)- God of Thunder and lightning

Anglo-Saxon Religion (cont. ) § Wyrd: Anglo-Saxon word for “fate” § They believed that human destiny was controlled by wyrd § In Norse mythology three female entities (the Norns) were responsible for shaping people’s lives out of the layers of their pasts.

Anglo-Saxon Religion (cont. ) § 597 A. D. Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity § Pagan customs gradual remolded- A blend of pagan and Christian customs was the result (As seen in Beowulf) § By the end of the 7 th century, Anglo-Saxons were truly converted (Beowulf first recorded around 700 A. D. )

Bards, Scops, and Minstrels § Sang the songs of the past and present in the mead halls § Sang of their gods/heroes/adventures § Considered the equals of warriors due to their importance § Only way to immortality was through the songs of the scops

Literary Culture of the Anglo. Saxons § English literature began in the mead halls where the scops would sing their songs § 8 th century- Monks began transcribing the ancient epics § Only texts which served the ideas of Christianity were preserved

Old English Poetry § No rhyme § Profound use of alliteration § Repetition of initial consonant sounds § “Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed” § Use of kenning § Metaphorical compound words or phrases that indicate a person or thing by a characteristic or quality § “Ring-giver” = King § Rapid narrative style leaving out unnecessary details § Blatant Foreshadowing

Old English Poetry (cont. ) § Epic Poetry § Epic = A long narrative poem that records the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the national ideals of his/her people § The epic hero is known for his/her strength, wisdom, and courage which assist him/her with the tasks at hand § Four remaining works of Anglo-Saxon literature § Beowulf § Junius (Contains poems by the English scholar/monk Bede § The Exeter Book (“The Seafarer”) § Vercelli