The Anglo Saxons 449-1066

The Celts The Greeks found the Celts settled in Great Britain during the fourth century BC. The Celts were group of tall blond warriors. Among the Celts was a group called Brythons (Britons). Their religion was animism; “The Celts saw spirits everywhere—in rivers, trees, stones, ponds, fire, and thunder” (6). These spirits were intermediaries between the gods and the people, and they controlled everything.

Before the Anglo Saxons The Britons were conquered by the Romans in A.D. 43…think about the growing Roman Empire. While in Britain, the Romans made significant contributions…roads, defensive walls, architecture… Though the Celts were polytheistic (believed in many god), the Romans brought Christianity to Britain. However, the Romans left Britain in the fifth century to return home to defend their homeland.

The Anglo Saxons Arrive After the Romans left, Britain was susceptible to invasion. Three Germanic tribes—the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes—invaded England.

Where did the tribes settle?

About the Anglo Saxons The Anglo Saxons were warriors, farmers, and hunters. They wore animal skins and carried spears. They took over the southeastern part of the island. They called this area “Angle-land”…which is where we get “England.” The Anglo Saxons forced the Celts into the western part of the country.

The Role of Christianity The Anglo Saxons were polytheistic (believed in many gods). However, missionaries converted King Ethelbert of Kent in 597. Christianity united the kingdom.

The End of the Anglo Saxon Period The Anglo Saxon period ended in 1066 when the English king was defeated in the Battle of Hastings.

In a Nutshell… Celts=Britons=tall blonde warriors=original inhabitants Romans take over—contributions included defense walls and Christianity Romans leave to defend homeland Anglo Saxons=Germanic people=hunters, warriors, and farmers They invade and push the Celts into the west. Missionaries bring Christianity which unites the kingdom. Period ends in 1066 in the Battle of Hastings

What impact did the Anglo Saxons have on the English Language? We call the language of the Anglo Saxons Old English. It is completely different in appearance and sound than Modern English. It sounded German because of the strong German influence on the Old English language. Four languages make up Old English German Norse Latin Celtic

Old English Sample sentences: Examples from Beowulf Audio clip se bat seglode fif dagas ("the boat sailed for five days") bates segl is lytel ("the boat's sail is small [little]") fif batas seglodon ofer brim ("five boats sailed over the sea") seglas bata sind lytele ("the sails of the boats are small") Examples from Beowulf http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/19.html http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/End.html Audio clip http://www.abdn.ac.uk/english/beowulf/sounds.htm

The Literature of the Anglo Saxons During the Anglo Saxon period, literature was not written. Instead, tales were told orally. Actually they were sung by people called scops or bards. Think of scops (pronounced “shops”) as singing poets. Scops would sing at large banquets as a form of enterrtainment. Literature did not become written until monks took the task of writing it down. Because life was so difficult, the literature was very serious and reflected the struggles of life at the time.