1. The Anglo-Saxon Period
A.D.

2. Anglo-Saxon Literary Terms

3. Epic Poem
A long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.

4. Folk Epics
Have no certain authorship and arise, usually through storytelling, from the collective experiences of a people.
Example: Beowulf

5. Literary Epics Written down by known authors
Example: Paradise Lost by John Milton

6. Characteristics of Epics
begins in “medias res” (in the middle of things)
begins with an invocation to a Muse
content is concerned with the fate of a nation or a people
set on a large scale, ranging around the world

7. the intervention of supernatural figures
extended similes
long catalogues (lists)
extensive battle scenes
stock episodes

8. Epic Boast
A self-admiring speech given by the hero of an epic for the purpose of glorifying himself.

9. Caesura
A break in a line of poetry created by punctuation, which helps to provide rhythm.

10. Lament A song or poem that expresses grief or regret.
In its verb form, it means “to cry or grieve.”

11. Elegy
A type of lyric poem which is usually a formal mourning for someone’s death

12. Archetype
An original pattern or model from which all other things of the same kind are made
Example: The film was one of the archetypes of the American Western.

13. A journey one undertakes with the intention of seeking something
Quest
A journey one undertakes with the intention of seeking something
Example: the Holy Grail

14. The fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast.
Mead
The fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast.

15. Comitaus
An agreement between a lord and his thanes in which the thanes swear to protect the lord, while the lord provides protection, wealth, and weapons.

16. Kenning
The metaphoric and often creative compound re-naming of an ordinary object.
Examples: bird’s nest (hair)
sea road (ocean)
wave traveler (boat)

17. Having to do with the church
Ecclesiastical
Having to do with the church

18. Epithet
A word or phrase, often disparaging or abusive, which expresses a character trait of someone or something

19. A profession that is often seen as a calling by those who carry it out
Vocation
A profession that is often seen as a calling by those who carry it out
Examples: minister, teacher, fireman, policeman

20. Since the Anglo-Saxon people had no form of written language in the beginning, they relied on oral tradition to pass down stories and songs.

21. Motif
A theme, character type, image, metaphor, or other verbal element that recurs throughout a single work of literature or occurs in a number of different works over a period of time

22. A picture, image, or other representation.
Icon
A picture, image, or other representation.
This shape can be said to be an “icon” because it is easily associated with the word “Stop”

23. A Brief History
Original inhabitants of what is known as England were the Celts, the original Britons
Pagan (belief in many gods)
Because they didn’t have written language, much of their history is unknown until later
Many consider that English history began with the invasion of the Angels, Saxons, and Jutes in 449 after the Celts asked for help in fending off Irish and Scottish tribes.

24. The First Invasion of the Celts

25. The Romans... Julius Caesar raided “Britain” in 55 and 54 B.C.
Invaded again in the 1st century and introduced the concept of Christianity

26. The Roman Rule... Lasted for nearly 300 years
During this time, commerce flourished
Civilization advanced
Roman rule crumbled in the fourth and fifth centuries
Commerce flourished: The Romans introduced new developments in agriculture, urbanization, industry, and architecture.
Roman rule crumbled: In the late 4th and early 5th centuries, the Roman Empire could no longer defend itself against either internal rebellion or the external threat posed by expanding Germanic tribes in northeastern Europe. This situation and its consequences governed the separation of Roman Britain from the rest of the Empire.

27. The Romans Built Hadrian’s Wall
A great fortification running across the island near the Scottish border
Built circa 123 A.D. for protection from invading Picts and Scots
Nearly 70 miles long
Picts - tribal confederation of Celts living in eastern and northern Scotland.

28. The Second Invasion

29. The Germanic (Danish) Invasions
According to history, in 449, the first band of people from the North German plain crossed the North Sea and settled in what is now known as Kent.
These people were the Jutes from Jutland.

30. The Germanic Invasion...
After the first wave of Jutes came the Angles.
Present day England derives its name from the name “Angle-Land” (the name of the southeastern part of the island).

31. The Germanic Invasions
Following the Jutes and the Angles, the next invaders were the Saxons.
Known as the “hook-men” or “swords-men.”

32. The Three Tribes Combined to Create Anglo-Saxon England

33. What Were the Anglo-Saxons Like?
Hardy
Athletic
Wandering
Fierce in personal valor
Pagan
Sea-Faring
Loyal to leader and tribe
Ruled by fate called “wyrd”

34. Believed in the Norse (Germanic) Gods as part of their superstitions and religious beliefs...

35. Even now, our weekdays are named after their ancient Norse gods...
Wednesday for the warlike Woden

36. Thursday for Thor, the god of thunder

37. Friday for Frigga, the goddess of love and the home

38. Anglo-Saxon Lives Divided into tribes and kingdoms
Each tribe led by a king or chieftain
Followers of these kings were called thanes
After hunt and battles, they would gather in a mead hall
Entertained by a scop and gleeman
Governed themselves democratically
Decisions made in meeting called folkmoots - the term now applies a moot point (a question that can be argued)
Scop – old English bard or poet
Gleeman – a travelling singer

39. As the Anglo-Saxons had no written language, they relied on the following as a means of literary preservation...

40. The Oral Tradition
Defined as a body of songs, stories, and poems preserved by being passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.
Often sung by a scop- a traveling storyteller often accompanied by a harp.

41. Elements of Anglo-Saxon Literature
Composed in Old English
Each line is divided by a caesura
Incorporates kennings
Usually includes a blend of pagan and Christian elements