1. Anglo Saxon Period

2. Anglo Saxon Period In 449, three groups invaded Britain Angles Saxons
Jutes

3. Anglo Saxon Period Anglo-Saxons
Drove the natives from the eastern, central, and southern areas
Became known as “Angles Land” or England
Germanic language developed into “Angle-ish” or English

4. Anglo Saxon Period In their own lands, most Anglo-Saxons were farmers.
They lived in family groups in villages, not cities.
Since they lived close to the sea and big rivers, many Anglo-Saxons were sailors too. They built wooden ships with oars and sails, for trade and to settle in new lands.

5. Anglo Saxons & Religion
Anglo Saxons were Pagans
Paganism= polytheistic religion;
Fate vs. Personal Freedom
Christians believe that all individuals have the freedom to make their own choice
Early Anglo Saxons worshipped ancient gods of German mythology

6. Anglo Saxons & Mead Hall
All {social} events began and ended at Mead Hall
Mead: Fermented beverages made from honey (Think of beer made from honey)
The hall was built by the local lord or king for the entertainment of the Thanes
Thanes: warriors and soldiers loyal to the local lord or king

7. Anglo Saxons & Mead Hall
Feasting Hall
Great Hall of the King
Safest Place in the Kingdom
Appearance
Rectangular
Pointed roof
Middle trench on the inside for fires
Two long, low tables on each side of the trench
Supported by rows of columns

8. Mead Hall

9. Drinking Horn

10. The Anglo Saxon Man Athletic Strong Seafaring Adventurous
Strong belief in fair play

11. Anglo Saxons Ideals Loyalty to Lord or King
Great love of personal freedom
Respect for women
Love for glory
Honored the truth

12. What was their life like?

13. Anglo-Saxon Literature

14. Setting for Literature
Ceremonial occasions
Gathered in the mead hall or castle
Performances were expected
Likely began with the telling of riddles
Scops – professional story tellers
Assistants – gleeman
Recite for hours, sometimes days
Accompanied by lyre or harp

15. Types of Poetry
Lyric: to communicate personal thought and feeling; usually shorter; “Seafarer”
Epic: long narrative poem recording the adventures of a hero; typically epics chronicle the origins of a civilization and embody its central values; “Beowulf”

16. Anglo Saxons Literature
Doesn’t Rhyme
Alliteration
Same beginning sound
Kennings
Metaphor often hyphenated
Whales - path= sea
Sea - Stallion = ship

17. Anglo Saxons Literature
Symbolism with Seasons
Spring: Youth
Summer: Adult
Autumn: Old Age
Winter: Death
Caesura
pause mid-line
Repetition

18. What’s left? Very little survives
Monks copied down what was previously oral; written in Latin
Alfred the Great – translated works back into Old English or Anglo-Saxon
“Beowulf” survives as do fragments of other epics; religious poems; and a small group of dramatic poems (“Seafarer” is an example) and riddles

19. Homework BBC Website Exploration Go to: Notes:
Notes:
Stories / Pastimes
Growing up
Anglo-Saxon Beliefs
What happened to them?