The Anglo-Saxon Period – 449 A.D. – 1066 A.D. When Angles and Saxons came hither from the east, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war-smiths over came Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home

Britain before the Anglo-Saxons Celts = Brythons (Britons) and Gaels invaded island between 800 and 600 BC. Celts = Brythons (Britons) and Gaels invaded island between 800 and 600 BC. –Celts were farmers and hunters. Lived in tightly knit clans. –Celts were led by druid priests (pagans)

Roman Conquest in 55 B.C. under Julius Caesar –Caesar came, saw, conquered; then left for France to write his memoirs No real control. Conquered only in name. No real control. Conquered only in name. –100 years later, Claudius really conquered the island. Roman soldiers occupied towns. Soldiers constructed a system of roads Roman soldiers occupied towns. Soldiers constructed a system of roads Romans bring Christianity to Celtic pagans. Romans bring Christianity to Celtic pagans.

Roman conquest, continued –Roman rule lasted about 300 years. –Romans leave Britain in 407 AD, leaving much of Britain undefended and in shambles. –Britain becomes easy prey for invaders from the north. –Christianity fades.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion 449 A.D. –Anglos and Saxons = Germanic invaders from Denmark and Germany. Deep sea fishermen and farmers. –Anglo-Saxon arrival signals the beginning of the English language.

Anglo-Saxon beliefs –Paganism – ancient Germanic gods. Tiu, god of war and Sky; Woden, chief of the gods; Fria, Woden’s wife and goddess of the home. –Wyrd – belief that every human life was in the hands of fate. The dangers of death by accident or warfare led these people to take a grim view of life.

Rebirth of Christianity –Late 500’s, Rome’s strength resurfaced in Britain. Christianity rises. –Many Anglo-Saxon kings were converted; so too was populace. Christianity soften Anglo- Saxon warriors, but not entirely. Christianity soften Anglo- Saxon warriors, but not entirely. Clerics denounced revenge and upheld the law. Clerics denounced revenge and upheld the law. –Christianity brought written literature The Venerable Bede ( AD) The Venerable Bede ( AD)

Danish Invasion –8th-12th centuries – Danes started looking for more farmland. Vikings (Norse) attacked Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. –Alfred the Great 871 AD, Alfred King of Wessex held back the Danes 871 AD, Alfred King of Wessex held back the Danes He supported education for all people. First formal schools created by Alfred. He supported education for all people. First formal schools created by Alfred.

Anglo-Saxon Literature –Oral tradition – Celtic druids memorized long, heroic poems about Celtic leaders and their deeds. –Scops and gleemen – scops performed the songs with harps; gleemen assisted.

Anglo-Saxon literary devices Caesura – mid-line pause in line of poetry Caesura – mid-line pause in line of poetry Alliteration – repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds Alliteration – repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds Kenning – a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun. Kenning – a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun. Lo we, spear-Danes // in old (yore)-days people - kings // brave deeds have learned how these thanes // valor framed. Lo we, spear-Danes // in old (yore)-days people - kings // brave deeds have learned how these thanes // valor framed.

Types of Anglo-Saxon verse Heroic poetry – recounts the achievements of warriors involved in great battles Elegiac poetry – sorrowful laments that mourn the deaths of loved ones and loss of the past.