THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

Three Major Periods in English Literature Old English Middle English Modern English

Another Way of Looking at the History of English It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. Austen (from P&P) present Modern English “Sir, I loue you more than words can weild ye matter” (EMnE) = “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter” (MnE) Shakespeare (from KL) Early Modern English “Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote... ” (ME) = “When that April with its sweet showers...” (MnE) Chaucer (from CT) Middle English “Gaæþ a wyrd swa hio scel” (OE) = “Fate goes ever as it must” (MnE) Beowulf (from Beowulf!) Old English OE=Old English ME=Middle English EMnE=Early Modern English MnE=Modern English

Pre-Anglo-Saxon England 2000 B. C. inhabited by Iberians 2000 B. C. inhabited by Iberians Iberians Iberians invaded by Celts Iberians invaded by Celts 55 B. C. Julius Caesar invaded 55 B. C. Julius Caesar invaded 43 A. D. became a part of the Roman Empire under Claudius 43 A. D. became a part of the Roman Empire under Claudius Roman

By A. D. Romans withdraw from Britain 449 A. D.--first Anglo-Saxon invasions invasions

STONEHENGESTONEHENGE

Hadrian’s Wall (Romans)

Anglo-Saxon Society øMajor tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes øSocial unit was the clan øEach member bore responsibility for any wrongs inflicted or suffered by his kinsmen--duty to seek revenge

wergyld--system of payment or restitution (peaceful settlement based on property or money)

Anglo-Saxon society (cont.) Comitatus--feudal arrangement whereby a youth would attach himself to a strong leader in exchange for economic and legal protection---also gold, horses, armor, etc. Comitatus--feudal arrangement whereby a youth would attach himself to a strong leader in exchange for economic and legal protection---also gold, horses, armor, etc. Believed in a strong sense of fate, doom Believed in a strong sense of fate, doom wyrd--Anglo-Saxon term for fate wyrd--Anglo-Saxon term for fate mead hall--center of social life mead hall--center of social life

A Mead Hall

Anglo- Saxon Battle Helmet

Anglo-Saxon Religion  Were pagan when they came to England  St. Augustine sent by Pope Gregory to England in 597  Landed at Canterbury, which became the center of the English Church--remains so today  Did not try to immediately stamp out old pagan religion  Anglo-Saxons easily converted

IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY  Had a civilizing effect on society  Encouraged scholarly learning-- monks could read and write--though mostly in Latin  Scholarly monks wrote down the literature, which had been communicated orally

Page from the Beowulf Manuscript

The Danish (Viking) Invasions Began near the end of the 8th century Began near the end of the 8th century Began periodic raids on the English coast Began periodic raids on the English coast Ravaged Northhumbria and turned southward to Wessex Ravaged Northhumbria and turned southward to Wessex Stopped by Alfred the Great Stopped by Alfred the Great

Danish Ship

Why Alfred Was Great!!! Turned back Viking invaders, who were threatening the complete overthrow of Anglo- Christian civilization Turned back Viking invaders, who were threatening the complete overthrow of Anglo- Christian civilization Promoted use of written Old English and commissioned writing of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles Promoted use of written Old English and commissioned writing of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles Encouraged scholarly endeavor Encouraged scholarly endeavor Began first public schools Began first public schools Instituted the royal navy Instituted the royal navy

Characteristics of Anglo-Saxons  Courageous  loyal  generous  hospitable  Highly moral  fond of boasting and fighting  Valued treasure and worldly goods

Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry came from an oral tradition. It was recited/sung by a scop, who provided entertainment in the mead hall.

Features of Old English Poetry Extensive use of alliteration Extensive use of alliteration Use of caesura Use of caesura Four-beat line Four-beat line Liberal use of kennings Liberal use of kennings (Kenning—a type of metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, or thing.)

Wine-hall of warriors gleaming with gold. caesura kenning alliteration hemistich