Medieval England Anglo-Saxon artifacts from the Sutton Hoo burial

“The Middle Ages” Called this because it’s just the period stuck between the collapse of the Roman Empire (around 470 AD) and the Renaissance (15 th Century) Called this because it’s just the period stuck between the collapse of the Roman Empire (around 470 AD) and the Renaissance (15 th Century) The early centuries of this period are sometimes seen as having nothing of importance to offer in terms of advancement in society. The early centuries of this period are sometimes seen as having nothing of importance to offer in terms of advancement in society.

“The Middle Ages” Also called “The Dark Ages” because of a perceived lack of literacy and slow advance of learning. Also called “The Dark Ages” because of a perceived lack of literacy and slow advance of learning. This is an inaccurate assumption. This is an inaccurate assumption. While it’s true that the common person was illiterate, a great deal of knowledge was preserved in monasteries, particularly in the British isles. While it’s true that the common person was illiterate, a great deal of knowledge was preserved in monasteries, particularly in the British isles.

The Celts Prior to Roman colonization, the British isles were settled by Celtic tribes such as the Britons, Picts, and Scots Prior to Roman colonization, the British isles were settled by Celtic tribes such as the Britons, Picts, and Scots They spoke various forms of Gaelic They spoke various forms of Gaelic Tribes often fought amongst themselves for territory and power Tribes often fought amongst themselves for territory and power

The Celts Most tribes were pagan and their religious leaders were called druids Most tribes were pagan and their religious leaders were called druids Some had been converted to Christianity under the Romans but the new Christian theology was often mixed with the older pagan tradition Some had been converted to Christianity under the Romans but the new Christian theology was often mixed with the older pagan tradition

The Romans When the Romans annexed Britain, they brought a great deal of stability When the Romans annexed Britain, they brought a great deal of stability Although they were at times brutal rulers, Roman governors could easily repel other groups trying to invade the islands Although they were at times brutal rulers, Roman governors could easily repel other groups trying to invade the islands

The Invasions After the fall of the Roman Empire, mass chaos ensued After the fall of the Roman Empire, mass chaos ensued Celtic tribes were left virtually powerless to protect themselves against invaders Celtic tribes were left virtually powerless to protect themselves against invaders Seafaring warriors from the area of Europe which is now northern Germany and Denmark began attacking the Britons Seafaring warriors from the area of Europe which is now northern Germany and Denmark began attacking the Britons

Anglo-Saxon Origins

The Invasions These tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) were successful in pushing the native Britons out of most of England These tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) were successful in pushing the native Britons out of most of England Celtic tribes retreating to the areas around the edges: Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (which accounts for differences in language and culture today) Celtic tribes retreating to the areas around the edges: Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (which accounts for differences in language and culture today)

Anglo-Saxon Life After the invasion, they settle into a fairly peaceful agricultural lifestyle (with the occasional blood-feud against neighboring clans, of course). After the invasion, they settle into a fairly peaceful agricultural lifestyle (with the occasional blood-feud against neighboring clans, of course).

Anglo-Saxons The Anglo-Saxons practiced a different pagan faith than the Celts. The Anglo-Saxons practiced a different pagan faith than the Celts. Their primary god was named Wodin and their gods myths are similar to those of the Vikings Their primary god was named Wodin and their gods myths are similar to those of the Vikings Missionaries from Ireland converted many to Christianity in the 6 th century Missionaries from Ireland converted many to Christianity in the 6 th century But again, in those early years theologies blend together and overlap But again, in those early years theologies blend together and overlap

Anglo-Saxon Literature With the rise of Christianity in England, literacy rose again. With the rise of Christianity in England, literacy rose again. People, especially monks, wrote about religious subjects, mostly in Latin People, especially monks, wrote about religious subjects, mostly in Latin Some poetry is written in Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons and was then copied and preserved by monks Some poetry is written in Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons and was then copied and preserved by monks

Manuscript Illumination

Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry was originally an oral tradition Anglo-Saxon poetry was originally an oral tradition It would be memorized by story tellers who would travel around and retell them in exchange for food, shelter, etc. It would be memorized by story tellers who would travel around and retell them in exchange for food, shelter, etc. These people were highly revered because of the heroic stories they shared These people were highly revered because of the heroic stories they shared

Anglo-Saxon Poetry Alliteration: the repetition of consonants within a line of poetry Alliteration: the repetition of consonants within a line of poetry Caesura: breaks or pauses in the middle of a line Caesura: breaks or pauses in the middle of a line Kenning: compound words that describe something and are used instead of the actual name Kenning: compound words that describe something and are used instead of the actual name These aspects create a predictable, even hypnotic rhythm in the original language These aspects create a predictable, even hypnotic rhythm in the original language

Beowulf in Old English …Stīđ ond styl-ecg; strenge getruwode, mundgripe mægenes. Swā sceal man don Þonne hē æt gūđ gegān Þenceđ longsumne lof; … (line )

Beowulf in Translation hurled the steel-edge; his strength must be in his mighty hand-grip. So must a man do who intends to gain long-lasting glory in battle

Anglo-Saxon Society The basic unit of society was the clan, a group of people connected by kinship The basic unit of society was the clan, a group of people connected by kinship The leader of the clan was a king or lord The leader of the clan was a king or lord He would surround himself with warriors who had sworn loyalty to him He would surround himself with warriors who had sworn loyalty to him They were duty bound to fight to the death for him, whenever he asked. They were duty bound to fight to the death for him, whenever he asked.

The Role of the Lord In return, he provided them with food, mead, shelter, and social interaction in his great hall In return, he provided them with food, mead, shelter, and social interaction in his great hall

The Role of the Lord The king was bound by duty and honor to reward his warriors with gold for the services they provided him The king was bound by duty and honor to reward his warriors with gold for the services they provided him Poetry of the time condemns lords who are stingy with gold and praises those who give freely: “ đat wæs gud könig” Poetry of the time condemns lords who are stingy with gold and praises those who give freely: “ đat wæs gud könig”

Beowulf in Context The story of Beowulf is set within this context of lord and retainers coexisting in the meadhall. Beowulf begins as a young warrior, looking to prove his worth by accomplishing great and heroic deeds. He eventually earns a crown for himself and must become a good and generous king.

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