Where It All Began: The Anglo-Saxon and Medievel Period

The British Isles First mentioned in the writings of Julius Caesar in 55 B.C.E –Had just smacked up the Gauls (Celtic people) –Caesar sailed from France to Britain, largest part of British Isles –There encountered Britons, Picts (also Celtic people) –Farther west (Ireland) encountered the Gaels

Britons had thriving culture –Skilled in metalwork, agriculture, trade –Had a strong oral tradition –Preserved by priestly class known as Druids

Clash with Rome No match for Roman empire Century after Caesar’s visit, they came back and conquered Drove Picts to Scotland Britain became Roman province –Introduced cities, stone roads, written tradition, and eventually Christianity –However, eventually abandons Britain because of problems at home

Anglo-Saxon Period After Britain abandoned by Rome, new invaders found it desirable Angles, Saxons, Jutes come down from northern Europe to settle there Britons attempt to stop invasion Legendary battles take place (likely led by leader named Arthur) Britons eventually driven to Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Brittany –Celtic culture all but disappeared

Heptarchy New Germanic tribes settled into 7 kingdoms: –Kent (Jutes) –Sussex (Saxon) –Wessex (Saxon) –Essex (Saxon) –East Anglia (Angles) –Mercia (Angles) –Northumbria (Angles)

Because Angles dominant in early Heptarchy, area became known as Angle-land, or England People came to be called English –Practiced paganism –Early on, were seafaring wanderers –Lives were bleak, fierce and short –Strong belief in wyrd, or fate –Admiration for heroic figures whose wyrd it was to prevail in battle –With spread of Christianity, people became more agricultural and less violent

Christianity Never died out after Rome left Briton named Patrick spread to Ireland (Gaels) Gaels took to Scotland Missionaries took to Angles and Picts in north 597, Augustine (Roman missionary) arrived in Kent and established monastery known as Canterbury –From there, spread so rapidly that by 690 all of Britain nominally Christian

Invasion of Danes 790s—Danes (Vikings) showed up Bad dudes with serious ego trip Rushed Northumbria, gained control of northern & eastern England Tried to move south (Sussex, Essex, Wessex), but Alfred the Great shut them down –Made them agree to truce and accept Christianity

Alfred dies and tug-of-war continues 1016 a Dane (Canute) became king 1042 Edward the Confessor became king Edward controversial –William (Duke) claimed Edward promised to make him king –But Edward changed mind and made Harold king –Edward died in 1066; William decides to get little payback. Launches Norman invasion (later called Norman Conquest) –William becomes king and gets cool new name William the CONQUERER

The Epic What is it? –A long, narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds. –Survived centuries through oral tradition –Most date back long before written language –Many based in historical fact –Scops (poets) performed publicly for entertainment and education Scops had to be very skilled at improv, singing, chanting Would build on existing stories and embellish them

Often used repeated elements –Stock Epithets and Kennings Stock Ep--Adjectives that point out special traits of particular persons or things (“swift-footed” to describe Achilles) Kenn—synonyms found in Germanic poems. Descriptive phrase or compound word that subs for a noun (Grendel is also called “sin-stained demon” and “the Almighty’s enemy”)

Characteristics of Epic Hero generally male; of noble birth/high position; legendary Hero reflects important ideals of his society Hero performs courageous (even superhuman) deeds Actions of hero determine fate of nation Setting vast in scope Serious tone

Plot complicated by supernatural beings/events; may involve long, dangerous journey Poem reflects timeless values—courage, honor Poem has universal themes—good vs. evil, life and death.

The Medieval Period

How it Began Normans (“north men”) originally Viking raiders But after settling in Normandy (coast of France) adopted French ways William now introduced these ways to England, beginning Medieval period (Middle Ages)

Feudalism William wanted to make sure money was constant, so had land surveyed (for taxes) How many properties, animals and workers, name of owner Feudalism—King owns all the land; gave ¼ to church, kept ¼ as private, parceled out rest to nobility (barons) who paid or supplied warriors called knights

King-Barons-Knights-Serfs & Peasants Barons encouraged to build large castles Churches built cathedrals and abbeys William’s heir not as strong (Henry I) Henry II was –Reformed judicial system –Brought in courts throughout land with juries –Formed “Common Law”

Henry II’s wife was former French queen Brought ideals of chivalry—code of honor to govern knightly behavior. –Honor and protect ladies –Go on holy quests (the Crusades) – King is ruler –Church is right –Protect the weak –

Henry’s son Richard I became known as Richard the Lionhearted Richard spent much of his reign fighting in Crusades His evil bro John plotted against RTL while away When RTL died and John became king, John figured out kingdom broke (because of war) Led to signing of Magna Carta

Magna Carta & Democracy “Great Charter” Granted barons more power and royal authority diminished First step toward democracy John’s son, Henry III, council of barons began to meet (parliament) Edward I included commoners –House of Commons –House of Lords (barons)

Decline of Feudalism Growth in economy led to growth in towns Commoners more prosperous, towns larger meant decline in feudalism since wealth no longer only about land ownership Universities were center of learning Oxford produced advancements in science and math—Wycliffe, Bacon, etc. Downside—crowded towns led to more disease (plague)

The Hundred Years War Between France and England Black Death took toll Killed 1/3 of population Peasants Revolt When war ended, England had lost nearly all of its French possessions Two rival families trying to get throne –York (white rose) –Lancaster (red rose) –“War of the Roses”

The End Henry Tudor killed Richard III on battlefield Took throne as Henry VII Marked end of Middle Ages