Introduction to Old and Middle English: Part I Anglo-Saxon Studies November 18, 2005 Andreas H. Jucker
Recap Periodisation of the history of the English language and its justification Diachrony and synchrony Spoken and written language
Before the Germanic conquest 55, 54 B.C. Julius Caesar lands in Britain 43 A.D. Systematic Roman conquest of Britain begins 122 Hadrian’s wall 376 Attacks against Roman Britain from Scots (from Ireland), Picts (from the north), and Saxons (from the east). 410 Last Roman troops leave Britain 449 Germanic tribes invade the Island and begin its conquest
Linguistic situation in Roman Britain Local Celtic language – Farmers, merchants Latin – Romans Latin traces: Place names – Portchester (L. portus and castra), Gloucester, Winchester, Colchester, Lancaster, Doncaster Celtic traces: Place names – Kent, Devon, London, Dunwich, Duncombe, Holcombe, etc.
The Germanic invasion Germanic invasion and settlement a slow process Invitation of Germanic troops to defend Britain from the northern barbarians Reinforcements from overseas Rebellion against the British Conquest of the rest of Britain a slow process
Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy Northumbria Mercia East Anglia Essex Kent Sussex Wessex
Anglo-Saxon Dialects Northumbria Mercia East Anglia Essex Kent Sussex Wessex Northumbrian Mercian Kentish Westsaxon Cf.Baugh & Cable 1978: 53
Christianization Christianization of the Celtic inhabitants during Roman rule Christianization of Anglo-Saxons from Rome and from the Irish-Scottish monastery of Iona 597 St Augustine sent by Pope Gregory C 700 all of Anglo-Saxon England was Christian C 800 Danish attacks on monasteries Late 10th century: Benedictine Reform
Consequences of Christianization Writing and parchment Schools and scholarship Scholarly monasteries in Canterbury, Jarrow, York, Wearmouth, Malmesbury Latin-English bilingualism Latin influence on English syntax and vocabulary
Scandinavian invasion of Britain first wave of attacks by bands of raiders second wave of attacks by large and well organised forces Danes settle in territory under Danish law: Danelaw 886 King Alfred of Wessex occupies London 10th c. Wessex absorbs the original Danelaw third period of Danish invasion
Danelaw
Textual evidence from OE Legal and administrative – Charters, wills, writs, codes of law Religious – Bible translations, sermons, devotional work, treatises, homilies, rules, saints’ lives (original and translations) Science – Astronomy, medicine Verse
Periods of the Helsinki Corpus OE I (-850) – Caedmon’s Hymn, Bede’s Death Song OE II ( ) – Alfred’s Boethius, Alfred’s Cura Pastoralis OE III ( ) – Beowulf, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, The Dream of the Rood OE IV ( )
T he Anglo-Saxon Minster Church at Braemore, Hampshire Anglo Saxon architecture
Sutton Hoo Treasures
Franks Casket
OE riddle The fish beat up the seas on to the mountainous cliff; the King of terror became sad when he swam onto the shingle. Whale's bone
The Lindisfarne Gospel gloss 25V19R