The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon Literary Terms

Epic Poem A long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.

Folk Epics Have no certain authorship and arise, usually through storytelling, from the collective experiences of a people. Example: Beowulf

Literary Epics Written down by known authors Example: Paradise Lost by John Milton

Characteristics of Epics begins in “medias res” (in the middle of things) begins with an invocation to a Muse content is concerned with the fate of a nation or a people set on a large scale, ranging around the world

the intervention of supernatural figures extended similes long catalogues (lists) extensive battle scenes stock episodes

Epic Boast A self-admiring speech given by the hero of an epic for the purpose of glorifying himself.

Caesura A break in a line of poetry created by punctuation, which helps to provide rhythm.

Lament A song or poem that expresses grief or regret. In its verb form, it means “to cry or grieve.”

Elegy A type of lyric poem which is usually a formal mourning for someone’s death

Archetype An original pattern or model from which all other things of the same kind are made Example: The film was one of the archetypes of the American Western.

A journey one undertakes with the intention of seeking something Quest A journey one undertakes with the intention of seeking something Example: the Holy Grail

The fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast. Mead The fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast.

Comitaus An agreement between a lord and his thanes in which the thanes swear to protect the lord, while the lord provides protection, wealth, and weapons.

Kenning The metaphoric and often creative compound re-naming of an ordinary object. Examples: bird’s nest (hair) sea road (ocean) wave traveler (boat)

Having to do with the church Ecclesiastical Having to do with the church

Epithet A word or phrase, often disparaging or abusive, which expresses a character trait of someone or something

A profession that is often seen as a calling by those who carry it out Vocation A profession that is often seen as a calling by those who carry it out Examples: minister, teacher, fireman, policeman

Since the Anglo-Saxon people had no form of written language in the beginning, they relied on oral tradition to pass down stories and songs.

Motif A theme, character type, image, metaphor, or other verbal element that recurs throughout a single work of literature or occurs in a number of different works over a period of time

A picture, image, or other representation. Icon A picture, image, or other representation. This shape can be said to be an “icon” because it is easily associated with the word “Stop”

A Brief History Original inhabitants of what is known as England were the Celts, the original Britons Pagan (belief in many gods) Because they didn’t have written language, much of their history is unknown until later Many consider that English history began with the invasion of the Angels, Saxons, and Jutes in 449 after the Celts asked for help in fending off Irish and Scottish tribes.

The First Invasion of the Celts

The Romans... Julius Caesar raided “Britain” in 55 and 54 B.C. Invaded again in the 1st century and introduced the concept of Christianity

The Roman Rule... Lasted for nearly 300 years During this time, commerce flourished Civilization advanced Roman rule crumbled in the fourth and fifth centuries Commerce flourished: The Romans introduced new developments in agriculture, urbanization, industry, and architecture. Roman rule crumbled: In the late 4th and early 5th centuries, the Roman Empire could no longer defend itself against either internal rebellion or the external threat posed by expanding Germanic tribes in northeastern Europe. This situation and its consequences governed the separation of Roman Britain from the rest of the Empire.

The Romans Built Hadrian’s Wall A great fortification running across the island near the Scottish border Built circa 123 A.D. for protection from invading Picts and Scots Nearly 70 miles long Picts - tribal confederation of Celts living in eastern and northern Scotland.

The Second Invasion

The Germanic (Danish) Invasions According to history, in 449, the first band of people from the North German plain crossed the North Sea and settled in what is now known as Kent. These people were the Jutes from Jutland.

The Germanic Invasion... After the first wave of Jutes came the Angles. Present day England derives its name from the name “Angle-Land” (the name of the southeastern part of the island).

The Germanic Invasions Following the Jutes and the Angles, the next invaders were the Saxons. Known as the “hook-men” or “swords-men.”

The Three Tribes Combined to Create Anglo-Saxon England

What Were the Anglo-Saxons Like? Hardy Athletic Wandering Fierce in personal valor Pagan Sea-Faring Loyal to leader and tribe Ruled by fate called “wyrd”

Believed in the Norse (Germanic) Gods as part of their superstitions and religious beliefs...

Even now, our weekdays are named after their ancient Norse gods... Wednesday for the warlike Woden

Thursday for Thor, the god of thunder

Friday for Frigga, the goddess of love and the home

Anglo-Saxon Lives Divided into tribes and kingdoms Each tribe led by a king or chieftain Followers of these kings were called thanes After hunt and battles, they would gather in a mead hall Entertained by a scop and gleeman Governed themselves democratically Decisions made in meeting called folkmoots - the term now applies a moot point (a question that can be argued) Scop – old English bard or poet Gleeman – a travelling singer

As the Anglo-Saxons had no written language, they relied on the following as a means of literary preservation...

The Oral Tradition Defined as a body of songs, stories, and poems preserved by being passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. Often sung by a scop- a traveling storyteller often accompanied by a harp.

Elements of Anglo-Saxon Literature Composed in Old English Each line is divided by a caesura Incorporates kennings Usually includes a blend of pagan and Christian elements