British Legends The AngloSaxon Period 449 1066 Theme

British Legends The Anglo-Saxon Period 449 -1066 Theme: Heroes and Heroism

Fold your paper so you have 4 boxes

Using these boxes, tell the story of the 3 little pigs; you can write or illustrate the story, but include as many details as possible in the time allotted. Where is the pigs’ father/mother? Why did the Pigs leave home? Details Vary. . . why? Where did they get materials?

Okay…So what? 1. Oral History—Lessons and entertainment 2. British folktale 3. Anglo Saxon time period

Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? • Between 800 and 600 B. C. , two groups of Celts from southern Europe invaded the British Isles. – Brythons (now spelled “Britons”) settled on the largest Island, Britain. – Gaels, settled on the second largest island, known to us as Ireland.

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The Celts – farmers and hunters – organized themselves into clans – clans had fearsome loyalty to chieftains – looked to priests, known as Druids, to settle their disputes

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Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? • Roman conquest of Britain AD 43 – Britain annexed as a province in the Roman Empire – Difficult to control such a large piece of land • Brought Christianity to Britain around AD 300 – Pagan vs. Christian themes throughout; never fully indoctrinated at this time • The last Romans left around 407 A. D. – Needed to defend against rebelling European countries; England left to its own devices

Roman Empire

Roman Gatehouse in Britain Arbeia

Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? • 449 AD 3 Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) invade. • Destruction of Roman influence, including Christianity • New land: “Angle-land” - small tribal kingdoms - no written language - supported themselves through farming and hunting

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Anglo Saxon King and Warrior early 7 th century

An Anglo-Saxon Hall

An Anglo-Saxon Farmstead West Stow: reconstructed village Remember the 3 little pigs…

Sutton Hoo • Burial site discovered in 1939 • Important links to Anglo. Saxon world and Beowulf • Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber containing numerous artifacts • Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled with pagan ritual.

The Reemergence of Christianity • 596 AD: attempt to convert Anglo- Saxons to Christianity • 597 AD: Saint Augustine – converted King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity. – set up a monastery in Canterbury in Kent. • 650 AD: most of England is Christian; some hold on to previous beliefs – The church provided counsel to quarreling rulers in efforts to unify the English people. • At this time, the British Isles were not unified and included separate kingdoms with separate rulers. They fought continuously over the fertile, green land

Constant Conflict • 9 th Century: – Norway invaded Northumbria (Anglo-Saxon kingdom in northern and central England), Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. – The Danes of Denmark targeted eastern and southern England Remember the 3 little pigs…

Alfred the Great King of Wessex 871 -899 • 866—resisted Danish intrusion and earned “the great” title – Saxons acknowledged Danish rule in East and North – Danes respected Saxon rule in South • End of 10 th Century—Danes want to widen Danelaw – Forced Saxons to select Danish Kings • 1042—Kingship returned to Alfred the Great’s descendent Edward • Edward the Confessor died in 1066. His death led to the end of the Anglo-Saxon Period.

Literature of Anglo-Saxon Times • 2 major influences 1) Germanic Traditions of the Anglo-Saxons 2) Christian Traditions of the Roman Church Remember the 3 little pigs…

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1) Germanic Traditions of the Anglo-Saxons • Germanic language – Mixture of various Germanic dialects + Old English – Old English (often looks like a foreign language)

Page of Beowulf manuscript in Old English Listen to me!

Heroic Ideals Dominate • Warrior culture – Poems and stories depict a society like the Anglo. Saxons • Military and tribal loyalties • Bravery of warriors • Generosity of rulers • Oral tradition – Songs and stories often sung and told about the valiant struggles of heroic warriors • More than just entertainment – provided a model for living and a form of immortality they could aspire to • Note: all of these provided the foundation for early written literature in Old English

Anglo-Saxon Literature cont. • Anglo-Saxon poetry falls mainly into two categories: – Heroic poetry – recounts the achievements of warriors – Elegiac poetry – laments the deaths of loved ones and the loss of the past • Beowulf is the most famous example of heroic poetry.

The Beowulf Poet • Christian; reflects established tradition • Allusions to the Old Testament • Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man from sin: • Christ archetype: Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the death of Christ • The price of salvation is life itself

Epic • Beowulf: Unknown author • The national epic of England (first work to be composed in English) • A long heroic poem, about a great legendary warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity.

Epic Elements • Most epics are serious in tone and lofty in style, a technique meant to convey the importance of the events. Long speeches by the characters suggest an impressive formality. • Use of kennings

Epic Elements Epic Element Definition As seen in … Epic Hero the central character of an epic. This character is a larger-than-life figure, typically of noble or semi-divine birth, who pits his courage, skill, and virtue against opposing, often evil, forces. Quest a long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the hero’s opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown. Valorous deeds long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the hero’s opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown. Divine intervention In many epics, the hero receives help from a god or another supernatural force who takes an interest in his quest. Great events Important events from the history or mythology of a nation or culture often provide the backdrop for the epic narrative.

Heroic Values in Beowulf • Relationship between king and his warriors • The king rewards his warriors with gifts • If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation

Conflict Christian Values and Heroic Values • This tension is at the heart of the poem • Pagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moral • Beowulf is poised between two value systems

The Epic Hero Defeats his enemies using Physical strength Skill as a warrior Nobility of character Quick wits A man of high social status whose fate affects the destiny of his people Is not modest – boasting is a ritual Embodies the ideals and values of his people Is eager for fame Because the Germanic tribes believed death was inevitable, warriors sought fame to preserve the memory of their deeds after death

Element Example The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of super natural abilities or qualities (STATUS QUO) Epic Hero Cycle The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure) “Crossing the Threshold” Moving from the known to the unknown (DEPARTURE) The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL (TRIALS) The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and companions The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated (APPROACH, CRISIS) A resurrection (TREASURE) Achieving the goal or the “boon” (RESULT) Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to the ordinary world (RETURN/NEW LIFE) Applying the “boon” (RESULUTION/STATUS QUO)

Are Modern Super Heroes Epic? Using the profile provided to your group and your own prior knowledge fill out the epic hero cycle chart for the super hero, then answer the question at the bottom of the page using the chart to back up your opinion.

HELP! I need somebody! • Think of a time when you helped someone in need or someone helped you OR a time when you did NOT render help and wish you had. Give a brief summary of the incident then answer the following analysis questions: – What was your/their motivation (why was help rendered? )? – What was the result? – What would have happened if help was not rendered? – Did anyone else offer help? Why/why not?