The Beginnings of English Literature Katherine Wiley Lake Cormorant High School

The Timeline Celts, called Britons, live in Britain, 300s B.C. Semilegendary King Arthur rules the Celts until his death, 516-537 Mohammed dictates the Koran, 625 The Mayans Fall, 800s Algebra is invented, 810 Christianity is no longer illegal in the Roman Empire, 313 Vikings invade Britain, 793 Buddhism begins in Japan, 552 Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade England, 449 The Egyptians create the first post office, 650 St. Augustine converts Anglo-Saxon King Ethelbert to Christianity and establishes the first monastery is established at Canterbury, 597 Julius Caesar invades Britain, 55 B.C. Normans defeat the Saxons; William the Conqueror becomes the first King of England, 1066

The Beginnings of Great Britain The island of Great Britain was settled by all of these groups: Iberians Celts Romans Angles & Saxons Vikings Normans The place that we now know as England owes something to each of these Invaders.

The Celts & Britons Tall, blonde warriors Practiced Animism, meaning that they saw spirits everywhere- in rivers, trees, stones, ponds, fire, thunder, etc. Believed that the spirits or gods controlled all parts of life and needed to be pleased constantly Had priests, called Druids, who acted as intermediaries between the people and the gods. Sometimes performed ritualistic dances and sacrifices. Created Stonehenge, which was believed to be used by the druids during rituals that dealt with the sun and moon One of their rulers, King Arthur, became the most famous semi-legendary king of English history. Their Stories are filled with powerful women, fantastic animals, passionate love affairs, fabulous adventures, and enchanted lands.

The Romans Conquered the Britons over a century of invasions Prevented further invasions of England for several hundred years Built a network of roads, some of which are still used today Created Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive barrier that is seventy-three miles long Brought Christianity to Great Britain Left Britain in 409, leaving behind roads and buildings, but no government

The Anglo-Saxons

Who were they? Made up of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes who came from Germany and Denmark and settled in England around 449 A.D Drove out the Britons Made the decision to invade Britain after hearing that the natives, known as “Britons” were “weak and worthless” and that the land was vast, green, and rich. Changed the name of Great Britain to Angle Land, which eventually became England Lived in small groups, each with its own king Unified into one nation as they fought against the invasion of the Danes. Continued to fight against the Danes until both groups were defeated by the Normans.

The Anglo-Saxon Invasion of England, 449 A.D.

What were they like? Many described them as blood-thirsty tyrants and heathens for centuries. Eventually, however, they came to Christianity and settled down a bit. Women inherited and owned property Men had to offer women large gifts of money and land, called morning-gifts, in order to propose marriage These gifts were given to the women, not to their fathers Typical Anglo-Saxon Men were: Muscular Blonde Experienced at Fighting Uneducated Brutish Party Animals In order to commemorate holidays, and celebrate victories, they held huge feasts in Mead Halls.

See pg. 11 of your text for a picture of a reconstructed A-S village. What is a Mead Hall? Their main headquarters would have been located in the Mead Hall, which was used as the: sleeping quarters tavern meeting hall dining room entertainment center Around the Mead Hall, would have been lots of tiny houses that looked a lot like this building. The Hall would have been the center of the village, and the rulers would have lived either in it or near it. The entire village would have been surrounded by a small wooden fence. The leaders and members of the village would have worked together closely, fostering a strong sense of security and unity. A reconstructed Anglo-Saxon Mead Hall located in West Stow, Sussex, England. See pg. 11 of your text for a picture of a reconstructed A-S village.

What was their life like? Did not focus on luxury, learning, or art Their life was about war, responsibility was held by the leaders Fame and success were gained by showing loyalty to one’s leader, especially during battle They constantly had to protect one another from threats They lived close together, and were close to their leaders Usually ruled by large group discussions and consensus Culture was centered around families and clans, but their tribe was centered around their seafaring warriors.

What did they believe? They believed in multiple gods Believed in dragons Dragons were always protectors of treasures The art of storytelling was as important as fighting, hunting, farming, or lovemaking There is no afterlife Placed great value on: Bravery Loyalty Generosity Friendship

Anglo-Saxon Laws People were not sentenced to incarceration, simply because there were no jails or prisons in Anglo-Saxon England. developed a detailed and complex law code Law-breakers paid fines for most crimes. Those who could not pay would face becoming a slave for a set period of time. punishments included: the loss of limbs or body parts banishment hangings Beheadings other inventive methods of death

Anglo-Saxon Storytellers Known as bards or scops Told stories in the “great hall” where council meetings and celebrations were held Told stories of gods and heroes Sang to the strumming of a harp Were considered to be gifted, honored members of society

A-S as Warriors Anglo-Saxon Warrior Helmet (approximately 7th Century) Reconstructed from hundreds of corroded iron fragments

Sutton Hoo Located in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England Discovered in 1939, after being buried for around 1300 years Burial ship of an Anglo-Saxon king or great warrior Burial site contained forty-one items of solid gold and thirty-seven gold coins

Other Anglo-Saxon Artifacts

A decorative piece of an Anglo-Saxon ship

Types of Anglo-Saxon Literature Riddles “A worm ate words. I thought that wonderfully Strange- a miracle- when they told me a crawling Insect had swallowed noble songs, A night-time thief had stolen writing So famous, so weighty. But the bug was foolish Still, though its belly was full of thought.” Ecclesiastical Verses Similar to those found in the Bible Epic Poems Beowulf

Katherine Wiley Lake Cormorant High School Beowulf Katherine Wiley Lake Cormorant High School 20

Epic- a quest story on a grand scale Epic Hero-the central figure in a long narrative that reflect the values and heroic ideals of a particular society Kennings- metaphorical phrases or compound words used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly Examples: “whale road” for the sea, “bone house” for the human body, “wave floater” for a ship 21

Characteristics of an Epic protagonist is heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero hero’s deeds are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues hero has supernatural strength set in several nations, all over the world, or even throughout the universe story provides an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people gods play an active role in the outcome of actions all of the various adventures and events are connected by a central theme story begins in medias res (in the middle of things) long, formal speeches are made by important characters hero makes a journey to the underworld use of the number three (attempts are made three times, etc.) previous episodes in the story are later recounted 22

Beowulf the first great work of English literature written in Old English around 750 A.D. is very short in comparison to other epics may have been written by a monk exists in only one manuscript survived the destruction of Henry VIII’s monasteries dates from c.1000 describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior admired for the richness of its poetry a third of the words in Beowulf are kennings 23

Beowulf Character List It is strongly recommended that you study/ copy the character list off on pg. 19 in your literature book. There will be a character identification section on your test. 24