The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066

Anglo-Saxon life Loyalty was key to the survival of your clan. Comitatus Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their king. A king was expected to be generous with gifts of treasure, land, and protection in exchange. Life centered around the strength of the leader or chief in every tribe/community. Homes were clustered around the chieftain's hall. A large wall surrounded the group for protection.

Scops The communal hall also served as an entertainment hall. The Anglo-Saxon story tellers were called ‘scops.’ The tales reflected people’s worries such as war, disease, and famine. They often focused on a hero or heroic deed. Stories provided an escape from their everyday strife. They offered a sign of hope—hope of immortality through the stories.

The Celts The 1st British settlers The Britons were a sub-group They had a strong belief in wyrd Animism—the belief that everything has a spirit

Pagan [pey-guhn] noun 1. one of a people or community observing polytheistic religion 2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. 3. an irreligious or hedonistic person 4. a person deemed savage or uncivilized and morally deficient Synonyms: heathen; gentile; nonbeliever

A time of bloody conflicts, violence, and barbarism War was a norm In the literature, winter prevails; there is rarely humor Bleak existence—the only certainty was death Widespread plague also marked the period

Appreciating Beauty in Anglo-Saxon culture Excavated Objects & Artwork: ULFBERHT sword & the Sutton Hoo helmet Language & Literature: Kennings-a poetic phrase that substitutes for a noun, often evoking strong imagery and sometimes employing alliteration Over 4000 garnets, were used on objects from Sutton Hoo— some of them in the helmet's eyebrows.

In your groups, try to figure out the equivalents of these modern kennings Gas guzzler The Dark Knight Muffin top Rug rat Man of Steel Eye Candy Cancer Stick Boob Tube Couch Potato Tramp stamp Equivalents A car with poor gas mileage Batman Love Handles A mischievous child Superman A person/thing that has visual appeal, but lacks substance Cigarette Television Someone who gets little exercise A provocative tattoo placed “where the sun don’t shine”

In your groups, try to figure out these Anglo-Saxon kennings Sky-candle Swan-road Battle sweat Helmet bearers Dwelling place Storm of swords Equivalents The sun The ocean Blood Warriors Home Battle

2. Turn to your partner and tell them one thing you’ve learned so far. 1. Can you think of any other modern kennings that you know? If so, share them now. 2. Turn to your partner and tell them one thing you’ve learned so far.

Britain: The Early Years & Roman Influence Julius Caesar attempted to conquer the Britons in 55 B.C. but failed A century later, Britain became a province of the Roman Empire Romans brought government, roads, and Christianity The Romans withdrew by 410 A.D.

Angles & Saxons Angles and Saxons invade ~ 449 A.D. Britons driven west and north The main part of Britain took on a new name: Angle-land The Anglo-Saxon language became the language known as Old English

Monasteries Augustine (a Roman missionary) creates a monastery at Canterbury in 597 A.D. Center of intellectual, literary, and artistic activity Fostered education and learning Preserved Anglo-Saxon stories on paper (including Beowulf & “The Wanderer”)

Share something you’ve learned with a different partner.

Vikings invade in the 790s from Denmark and Norway They take control of the north and east. Vikings plundered monasteries Pagans sometimes worshipped their weapons (see Animism) http://video.pbs.org/video/2284159044/

Alfred the Great, Edward the Confessor, Harold the…uh…Harold, and William the Conqueror In the south, Alfred the Great defeats the Vikings in 878 Alfred established English as a ‘respected’ language In 1042, Edward the Confessor, a deeply religious descendant of Alfred, takes the throne. He allegedly promises the throne to his cousin William, but an English earl named Harold becomes king.

The Norman Conquest William led an army from Normandy in the last successful invasion of Britain Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and on Christmas Day, “William the Conqueror” was crowned king of England Ended Anglo-Saxon dominance in England

Beowulf is likely composed ~750 A. D Beowulf is likely composed ~750 A.D. and is set in the 6th century in Scandinavia Fun Fact: This manuscript survived a fire in 1731 because it was thrown out of a library window.

Time to hammer in the knowledge you’ve gained. Turn to one last partner and share something you’ve learned.

Sources Anglo-Saxon. 2011. Video. The Open University. Web. 31 Aug 2013. Elements of Literature, Sixth Course: Literature of Britain with World Classics. Holt, Rinehart and Winston: New York, 2000. 2-16. Holt McDougal Literature, Grade 12. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print. Huff, Dana. "Beowulf.” Penguin Group, Print. Leneghan, Francis. "Beowulf." Great Writers Inspire. Oxford University. United Kingdom, Oxford. 07 Feb 2012. Lecture. "pagan." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 31 Aug. 2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ pagan>. "Sutton Hoo Helmet." BBC- A History of the World. BBC. Web. 31 Aug 2013. The Norman Conquest. 2011. Video. The Open University. Web. 31 Aug 2013.