The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 Stonehenge (c. 2000 BC)

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Rulers of Britain before Anglo-Saxons Two groups of Celts (pronounced Kelts) moved into the British Isles The Britons settled in Britain The Gaels settled in Ireland The Celts were: Shepherds, farmers, and hunters Fierce fighters Artistic, imaginative, and loved beauty Skilled with tin and iron (introduced iron to Europe) Organized into tightly knit clans Highly developed religion (animism), mythology, and legal system that specified individual rights

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background The Roman Conquest Julius Caesar made hasty invasion in 55 BC and 56 BC Caesar described the Celts as: Light-skinned, fair-haired, and blue-eyed The true conquest occurred under the Roman Emperor Claudius in 43 AD The Romans rule of Britain lasted for nearly 400 years, ending only when Rome was threatened in Italy, and Romans abandoned Britain to return home

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Roman Influence on Britain Constructed a system of well-paved roads and founded cities Built Hadrian’s Wall 73 mile wall that separated England from Scotland Brought skills in the art of warfare Introduced Christianity (597 AD) St. Augustine converted King Ethelbert (king of England) Established a monastery in Canterbury Church promoted peace and unification among the warring clans

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background In 449 AD, three groups coming from Denmark, Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia, invaded Britain. They were: Angles Saxons Jutes They drove the native Britons from the eastern, central, and southern areas Became known as “Angles Land” or England Their Germanic language developed into “Angle-ish” or English

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Originally started out with several tribal units, each organized by a king Witan: council of elders who would choose the king for each tribal unit Thanes: the upper class, earls, or free warriors Thralls: slaves who did the farming and domestic work Freemen: small group who earned possessions and special favors

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background The Anglo-Saxons farmed, maintained local governments, and created fine crafts, especially metalwork Eventually, the many small kingdoms converged into 7 main kingdoms. This development produced a new language: Old English

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons Hard fighters and bold sea warriors Boastful, reckless, cruel, and bloodthirsty Enjoyed conflict, swimming matches, horse races, banqueting, drinking mead, singing songs, and storytelling Also, flyting, a conflict of wits between two warriors, where each praises his own deeds and belittles the other’s

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Anglo-Saxon Ideals Loyal to their lord or king Admired physical strength, bravery, loyalty, fairness, and honesty Great love of personal freedom Respect for women Love of glory Honored the truth

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Mead Hall All social events began and ended at the Mead Hall Mead: fermented beverage made from honey (think of beer made from honey) The hall was built by the local lord or king for the entertainment of the Thanes Used as a feasting hall, the great hall of the King Safest place in the kingdom

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Beliefs Pagan (polytheistic) Pessimistic view of life Human life in the hands of fate (wyrd)* Did not believe in the afterlife Immortality only earned through heroic actions

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background St. Augustine brought Christianity to England when he converted King Ethelbert and established a monastery in Canterbury By 650 AD, most of England was Christian in name, if not in fact. The church brought education and written literature to England. Monks established churches, monasteries, and libraries. Oral literature was transcribed into written form Monks preserved not only Latin and Greek classics, but also popular literature (Beowulf).

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background We have a very clear account of the Anglo-Saxon time period because of a monk named Bede. He was known as The Venerable Bede He wrote A History of the English Church and People. He is considered the “father of English history”

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background The Danish Invasion Due to rising population and limited farmland, many Scandinavians (Norse and Danish) took to the seas…Vikings! In 800 AD, Danish raiders attacked Britain The Norse settled in Northumbria, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland The Danes targeted eastern and southern England

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background They sacked and plundered monasteries Stole sacred religious objects Burned entire communities Murdered villagers Halted the growth of learning By the middle of the 9th century, most of England had fallen. The Vikings called their territory Danelaw.*

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background Only the Saxon kingdom of Wessex managed to stop the Danes In 871 AD, Alfred the Great took the throne of Wessex and resisted any further Danish threat A 886 truce formally divided England and Danelaw: The Danes ruled the east and north; the Saxons ruled the south Alfred translated Bede’s History and other works into English to make them more accessible, and instituted the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history of England from the earliest days through 1154

Anglo-Saxon Historical Background The Norman Conquest Near the end of 10th century, Danes tried to expand Danelaw, and witans forced to select Danish kings 1042, throne returned to a descendant of Alfred the Great, Edward the Confessor, who was friendly with the Normans Harold succeeded to the throne upon Edward’s death in 1066 William of Normandy challenged Harold’s right to the throne and defeated Harold in the Battle of Hastings William was crowned King on Dec. 25, 1066