The Anglo-Saxon Period Ancient Britain Originally inhabited by the Britons & Gaels Celtic people, still evident in Irish, Welsh, Gaelic and Breton Celts were farmers and hunters, clan ruled DRUIDS were Celt priests ceremonial leaders Celts produced myths, astronomy contributions, jewelry and earthworks
Ancient Britain 75 B.C., Britain and Celts invade by the Belgae These people introduced new plows and methods to revolution agriculture
Roman Britain 54 B.C., Julius Caesar charges the Channel After his victory he left, returned and defeated Britons again. 43 B.C., Roman Emperor Claudius conqurered Briton Language changed to Latin, roads, military forces improved. Hadrain’s wall and colonies (such as London and Colchester) built.
Boadicea – The Celtic Warrior Queen Prasutagus, king of tribe of Britons dies, wife Boadicea is left to rule. Romans in the meanwhile had invaded the Iceni Boadicea and native warriors lead an offensive against the Romans, killing over 70,000. Destroyed Colchester and London during her war Eventually was overcome and daughters were victims of Roman rule
The Coming of the Anglo-Saxons During the 5 th century, Romans returned troops to save homeland. Leaves Britain open to other invaders Jutes, a Danish tribe arrive invaded the southwest Anglos and Saxons arrive and raid the eastern coast Turf war ensues and new kingdoms established
The Anglo-Saxon Arrival Angles have 3 kingdoms in northern and middle Britain: ◦ Northumbria ◦ Mercia ◦ East Anglia Saxons create 3 kingdoms in the SOUTH Wessex (West Saxony) Essex (East Saxony) Sussex (South Saxony)
The Anglo-Saxons Culture Added legend and war to the culture Created, “lays” or songs of heroes Gleeman/scop Mead Halls were places of entertainment This was a key aspect to maintaining the oral history of the period.
Anglo-Saxon Culture Society was organized by class Earls/Thanes- warriors Churls- freemen Thralls – slaves Witenagemot- kings protection and council, elders of the kingdom Wergild, “man-money” concept of flesh for flesh, added to warfare mentality
Anglo-Saxon Culture Death from disease, famine, war wounds common. Coneept of WYRD or the goddess of fate, determined one’s life. Courage in face of fate and timing may buy time, reinforcing warrior mentality
Anglo-Saxon Culture Believed that kings were from divinity Tiu – god of war Woden – god of gods Thor- god of thunder and sky Freia – goddess of home *These also were the basis of our modern weekdays.
The Coming of Christianity 5 A.D. St. Patrick converts Ireland to Christianity Migration to England began converstion there 604 Augustine converts England under advisement of Pope Gregory Monasteries – religious learning centers Scribes- produced books and maintained historical records
Alfred the Great Danes & Vikings invade in the 8 th c. Destroyed monasteries, towns and cities Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia villages were destroyed Alfred, King of Wessex, destroyed the Danes Alfred was, “bretwalda”, King of England\ Danelaw was established, Danes moved to northern England
Alfred the Great Alfred instituted education and learning Spread the Christian faith Initiated the translation of many books Kept historical records via Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Bede’s Ecclesiastical History another source of contemporary information
The End of Anglo-Saxon History 960 A.D. Danish invasions begin 1016 William the Conquer, a Norman Duke, defeats English King Harold in the Battle of Hastings