Anglo Saxon Lecture

Anglo Saxon England ( ) I. Early Inhabitants (Henge people, Celts/Britons) II. Roman Dominance III. The Anglo-Saxons a. Invasion (449 A.D.) b. Civilization 1. Characteristics of the people 2. Worship of pagan gods 3. Conversion to Christianity (597 A.D.) 4. Language 5. Literature a. Beowulf and epic b. Elegiac lyrics c. Riddles d. Bede e. Caedmon f. Danish Invasion (859 A.D.) IV. King Alfred the Great ( )

The story of England is a story of a series of invasions and a cultural revolution.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge: Origin Religious Rituals? Religious Rituals? Calendar? Calendar?

Celtic Tribes Celt/Briton Chieftain

Religion Druids Druids Human Sacrifice Human Sacrifice Cannibals Cannibals

Celts Cont. Settled agriculture Settled agriculture Used money Used money Political unity Political unity Superior caste of learned men and woman Superior caste of learned men and woman

Roman Invasion Emperor Claudius Emperor Claudius

Roman Invasion Cont. Tacitus Tacitus Queen Boudicca Queen Boudicca

Roman Invasion & Civilization Built roads, elegant buildings, & baths Built roads, elegant buildings, & baths Brought Christianity and coins to Celts Brought Christianity and coins to Celts

Roman Civilization Roman baths in Bath, England

Hadrian's Wall Defense against the invading Picts

Fall of Roman Empire 410 AD Romans withdraw 410 AD Romans withdraw Celts vulnerable to attack Celts vulnerable to attack Vortigern Vortigern

Anglo Saxons

Legend of King Arthur Nennius Celtic “dux bellorum”

Round Table Located? Legend Reality?

Anglo Saxon People Angle-land Angle-land Kinship/Lordship Kinship/Lordship Comitatus Comitatus Fame and glory in battle Fame and glory in battle Materialism Materialism

Sutton Hoo Burial Ship

Sutton Hoo Helmet

Terry Herbert – Treasure Hunter Saxon Gold Hoard 1,500 pieces $5.5 million in gold! Holds monetary and historic value

"Rise up O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee," reads the Latin inscription on this strip of gold

More Treasures…

Treasures

Treasures Cont.

Materialism Cont.

From Pagan to Christian Pagan virtues: courage in battle; fame Pagan virtues: courage in battle; fame Life moved from “battle to feast and feast to battle” Life moved from “battle to feast and feast to battle” polytheistic polytheistic Conversion to Christianity Conversion to Christianity Augustine Augustine Monasteries Monasteries More peaceful and unified More peaceful and unified

Old English In off the moors, down through the mist bands God-cursed Grendel came greedily loping. The bane of the race of men roamed forth, hunting for a prey in the high hall. Under the cloud-murk he moved towards it until it shone above him, a sheer keep of fortified gold.

Beowulf in Old English He saw many men in the mansion, sleeping, a ranked company of kinsmen and warriors quartered together. And his glee was demonic, picturing the mayhem: before morning he would rip life from limb and devour them, feed on their flesh; but his fate that night was due to change, his days of ravening had come to an end.

Epic Poem: Beowulf

Anglo Saxon Literature Epic Epic Elegiac lyrics Elegiac lyrics Scops Scops Riddles Riddles

An Anglo Saxon Riddle On earth this warrior is strangely born Of two dumb creatures, drawn gleaming Into the world, bright and useful to men. It is tended, kept, covered by women-- Strong and savage, it serves well, A gentle slave to firm masters Who mind its measure and feed it fairly With a careful hand. To these it brings Warm blessings; to those who let it run Wild it brings a grim reward.

An Anglo Saxon Riddle I saw a silvery creature scurrying Home, as lovely and light as heaven Itself, running with stolen treasure Between its horns. It hoped, by deceit And daring and art, to set an arbor There in that soaring castle. Then, A shining creature, known to everyone On earth, climbed the mountains and cliffs, Rescued his prize, and drove the wily Imposter back to darkness. It fled To the west, swearing revenge. The morning Dust scattered away, dew Fell, and the night was gone. And no one Knew where the soft-footed thief had vanished.

Christian Writers (Scribes) Venerable Bede Venerable Bede History of the English Church and People History of the English Church and People The Father of English History The Father of English History

King Alfred The Great

Alfred the Great Cont. Translated literature Translated literature Promoted learning Promoted learning Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1066 Battle of Hastings 1066 Battle of Hastings “When Angles and Saxons came hither from the East, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war – smiths overcame the Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home.” from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle “When Angles and Saxons came hither from the East, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war – smiths overcame the Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home.” from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle