British Beginnings

“Britons” B.C.E. Celts invade the British Isles. –Brythons (Britons) settled England –Gaels settled Ireland Organized into clans with a chieftain Priests (Druids) would settle disputes

Romans! 55 B.C.E. Julius Caesar invades England Small battles and encampments last for 100 years, finally Romans begin to colonize. 407 C.E. Roman legions leave England to defend Rome itself.

Christianity on the Island 597 C.E. St. Augustine (from Rome) converts King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity Augustine sets up monastery at Canterbury Converts other rules and promotes peace and unity

Anglo-Saxons 449 C.E. Invaded from what is now Germany. 800’s : Vikings attack –Danes from Denmark (southern England) –Norse from Norway (Northumbria, Scotland, Wales, Ireland) –Danelaw: 886 Saxon Rule in the South Danish rule in East and North

Anglo-Saxons

Norse and Danes Nose: Northumbria, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland Danes: eastern and southern England 871 Alfred the Great takes the Wessex throne, only king to gain title 886 Truce between Danes and the Saxons –Danelaw

Anglo-Saxons Expert sea-farers Although they converted to Christianity, many retained a pagan conviction in the power of fate, retold Germanic and Scandinavian tales of heroes and monsters. A man-dominated society. Sorry ladies, you would have very few rights as a single female and even fewer if you were married

Late 900’s: Danes force Saxons to have Danish kings 1042 succession returns to Alfred’s bloodline, Edward “The Confessor” due to his devote faith as a Christian 1066: Edward’s death is the end of the Anglo-Saxon period.

The Exeter Book Collection of manuscripts that includes pieces from oral tradition Compiled during the reign of Alfred T.G. by monks ( ) Has large burns and several stains (drinking mug) and several cuts Recorded stories told in the oral tradition

Anglo-Saxon Lyrics The making of poetry!

Vocabulary Lyric poem: expresses the thought and feelings of a single speaker. Anglo-Saxon lyrics: composed for easy memorization and recitation Elegy: a lyric poem mourning the loss of someone or something.

Component Parts Lines with regular rhythms, usually with four strong beats Ceasuras: rhythmic breaks in the middle of lines, where the reciter could pause for breath Kennings: two-word poetic renamings of people, places, and things, such as the kenning “whales’ home” for the sea

Component Parts Assonance: the repetition of initial vowel sounds in accented syllables Alliteration: the repetition of initial consonant sounds in accented syllables