Main Points The conversion of Ireland to Christianity How the poets and monks preserved ancient literature (extreme conditions) The rise of the English language By: Tyler Coleman, Nathan Hughes, Matt Rue and Heather Schmitt

A Light from Ireland Germanic invaders could not invade Ireland due to it’s geographic location. Ireland was converted to Christianity by a Romanized Briton named Patricius (Patrick). His success was speedy and undying.

A Light from Ireland From 432 to 750, while Europe and England sank into constant warfare, confusion and ignorance, Ireland experienced a golden age. Irish monks founded monasteries that became sanctuaries of learning. It was in Ireland that Christianity, in the words of Winston Churchill, “burned and gleamed through the darkness.”

The Christian Monasteries: The Ink Froze Poets provided one element of help: the possibility that heroic deeds might be enshrined in society’s memory. Christians supplied another element of hope: monasteries. Monasteries served as centers of learning. Monks spent almost all their daylight time in the monastery’s scriptorium, or writing room, copying manuscripts by hand.

The Christian Monasteries: The Ink Froze In the winter time of the British Isles, it was so cold that the ink could freeze. If you can picture a scribe shivering and hunched over trying to write with frozen ink, in complete silence, that would be the scene in a scriptorium. The Church took this process very seriously The monasteries preserved not only Latin and Greek classics but also some of the great works of popular literature, such at Beowulf.

The Rise of the English Language During King Alfred’s reign, he instituted the Anglo- Saxon Chronicle, which its entries are said to be abundant, exact and elegant. Alfred obtained many followers through his good will. He also encouraged religion and Died in 899 and his son took the title as king

The Rise of the English Language Because of King Alfred’s efforts, English began to gain respect as a language of culture. Only then did the Old English stories and poetry preserved by monks come to be recognized as great works of literature.

Review!

Why couldn’t German invaders invade Ireland? Because Ireland had strong men fighting anyone who tried to enter. Because it was not on the map. Because of its location. Because the invaders didn’t have strong enough boats to get through the tough waves.

Who converted Ireland to Christianity? Winston Churchill Christian monasteries Monks Romanized Briton named Patricius (Patrick)

What was the purpose of monasteries? To serve as a learning center To provide shelter for all the Christians It was where the monks copied manuscripts It was the place of worship for the Christians

What was said to be abundant, exact and elegant? The English language The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Beowulf The Christian monasteries

Who said, “it was in Ireland that Christianity burned and gleamed through the darkness”? King Alfred Winston Churchill Romanized Briton Patricius (Patrick) The monks