Anglo-Saxon Background A brief history of how the English language came to be

Late Stone Age IBERIANS from present-day Spain and Portugal migrate to the British Islands IBERIANS from present-day Spain and Portugal migrate to the British Islands

2000 BCE- Stonehenge built

Each large stone stands over 6 feet tall and measures 3- 4 feet wide The stones weigh about 4 tons each

Climate of the area A lot of rain and fog Rolling green hills in the summer Cool Grey; overcast

The Moors in Summer

BCE The CELTS migrated to the British Islands from Southern Europe Pronounced Kelts, not like the Boston Celtics (although that is where they get their name)

Two Groups of Celts The Brythons who settled on the large island, present-day Britain The Brythons who settled on the large island, present-day Britain And the Gaels who settled on present- day Ireland And the Gaels who settled on present- day Ireland

The Celts Were FARMERS and HUNTERS Were FARMERS and HUNTERS Were organized into tightly-knit clans, led by CHIEFTAINS Were organized into tightly-knit clans, led by CHIEFTAINS

Druids Celtic priests who: Celtic priests who: –Performed religious rituals –Carried the oral tradition –Settled disputes among clans

55 BCE Julius Caesar invaded Britain and declared it a province of Rome Julius Caesar invaded Britain and declared it a province of Rome 43 AD- Claudius brought the Roman legions (soldiers) to the area 43 AD- Claudius brought the Roman legions (soldiers) to the area Some CELTS fled to the north, while others stayed and assimilated Some CELTS fled to the north, while others stayed and assimilated

On your map on the last page, draw the migrations of the groups we have mentioned so far as they have invaded the British Isles.

The Romans Built a series of ROADS and created many CASTRA (camps) and TOWNS Built a series of ROADS and created many CASTRA (camps) and TOWNS Many English towns now end in “chester,” “caster,” and “cester” Many English towns now end in “chester,” “caster,” and “cester”

The Romans also brought… Baths Baths Glass windows Glass windows Pools Pools Temples Temples Good wine Good wine Aqueducts Aqueducts

407 AD The ROMANS leave Britain to defend Rome from barbarian invasions, leaving Britain with no real military structure to defend it from invasions

400s AD… The northern Celts returned to reclaim their land from ________ (look above) years earlier. Because there was no military protection, the Britons called upon mercenaries from present-day Germany to help them defend themselves from the invading Celts.

Draw an arrow on your map from Germany to Britain, representing the path of the mercenaries…

What is a mercenary? Usually not as dedicated to the cause as actual inhabitants defending their own land Usually not as dedicated to the cause as actual inhabitants defending their own land

432 AD St. Patrick went to Ireland and spread Christianity among the Celts St. Patrick went to Ireland and spread Christianity among the Celts The pre-English languages were Welsh, Cornish, and Irish-gaelic The pre-English languages were Welsh, Cornish, and Irish-gaelic

The Celtic Cross

449 AD The Old English Period begins. The Old English Period begins. This date marks the beginning of the ANGLO-SAXON INVASIONS and the “dark ages” of violent tribal wars. This date marks the beginning of the ANGLO-SAXON INVASIONS and the “dark ages” of violent tribal wars.

Four tribes From the region of modern-day GERMANY and DENMARK From the region of modern-day GERMANY and DENMARK ANGLES ANGLES SAXONS SAXONS JUTES JUTES FRISIANS FRISIANS

The Legendary King ARTHUR ARTHUR Probably was a Celt who helped to defend Britain from the invading tribes Probably was a Celt who helped to defend Britain from the invading tribes Many Celts fled… Many Celts fled…

Religion at this time… The Anglo-Saxons brought to Britain their own PAGAN beliefs (polytheistic) The Anglo-Saxons brought to Britain their own PAGAN beliefs (polytheistic) To the right is Thunor (Thor), the God of Thunder To the right is Thunor (Thor), the God of Thunder

Anglo-Saxon Gods and the days of the week… Woden- the leader of the Wild Hunt, who carries off the dead-> Woden’s Day= Wednesday Woden- the leader of the Wild Hunt, who carries off the dead-> Woden’s Day= Wednesday Thunor- God of Thunder and the sky -> Thunor’s Day= Thursday Thunor- God of Thunder and the sky -> Thunor’s Day= Thursday Frige- the goddess of love and wife of Woden-> Frige’s Day= Friday Frige- the goddess of love and wife of Woden-> Frige’s Day= Friday Tiw- the god of warfare -> Tiw’s Day= Tuesday Tiw- the god of warfare -> Tiw’s Day= Tuesday

597 AD ST. AUGUSTINE founded a Christian monastery at Canterbury and began converting regional kings. He became the first ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY.

750 AD BEOWULF is composed by an unknown author (probably a monk) An epic poem based on Norse legend brought to England by the Anglo-Saxons

c. 800 AD The DANISH invasions begin The VIKINGS sack the monasteries, burning most written records c. 850 AD most of England called DANELAW

Mark this invasion on your map.

871 AD ALFRED THE GREAT becomes king ALFRED THE GREAT becomes king Encourages rebirth of LEARNING and EDUCATION Encourages rebirth of LEARNING and EDUCATION Establishes PUBLIC EDUCATION Establishes PUBLIC EDUCATION Has Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English people translated into Old English Has Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English people translated into Old English

892 AD- Alfred the Great begins the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle written in Old English, so the common person could read it. 975 AD- The Exeter Book, a collection of poems and riddles, is completed

1042 AD Edward the Confessor becomes King of England Edward the Confessor becomes King of England A devout Christian A devout Christian Norman on his mother’s side- lived in France for many years Norman on his mother’s side- lived in France for many years Succeeded by his son King Harold Succeeded by his son King Harold

1066 AD THE NORMAN INVASION William the CONQUERER comes from France and conquers the Anglo-Saxons at the BATTLE OF HASTINGS, marking the end of the Old English Period and the beginning of the MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD

Mark the Norman invasion on your map

The Bayeux Tapestry: The Death of King Harold