1. ANGLO-SAXON BRITAIN
Merlin, Madli, Siiri

2. ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES
Their original homelands were Germany, Denmark and northern Netherlands.
Angles, Saxons, Jutes
Colonized northwards and westwards
850 AD – Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex

3. ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES
Lived in small settlements consisting of a few families.
Had small wooden houses with one room and thatched roof.
Freemen and slaves
Rich freemen worked for the king
For crimes people had to pay fines
Women and men had different
works

4. ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES
Were originally pagans
Christianity came in the 7th and the 8th century
Many monasteries and churches were built

5. ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES
Downfall came with Vikings in the 8th and 9th century
Lost land, people were massacred
King Alfred fought back, told to write “The Anglo-Saxon Chrinicle”
The end came with duke William of Normandy –
the battle of Hastings in 1066.

6. BEOWULF
The first English literary masterpiece and one of the earliest European epics written in the native language (Old English).
The main character, Beowulf, is a hero of the Geats.
He fights against three anagonists:
the monster Grendel
Grendel’s mother
an unnamed dragon
After several battles with the beasts, Beowulf succeeds to rule his country for over 50 years.
The story takes place in Denmark and Scandinavia.
“Beowulf’s” author is unknown.
Remarkable for its lenght – 3,182 lines

7. BEOWULF
The first English literary masterpiece and one of the earliest European epics written in the native language (Old English).
Only one copy of the manuscript of “Beowulf” survived. It origins from the 11th century.
The manuscript was damaged in a fire and later on, some parts of it continuously obliterated.
Now it is safe in the British Library.
The first translation of “Beowulf” was made into Latin in 1815.
“Beowulf” has been an inspiration to numerous film directors, writers and composers.

8. The spread of Christianity
Canterbury Cathedral
4th century – the first martyr, Saint Alban, appeared
The British Church flourished after the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the imperial religion

9. The spread of Christianity
Canterbury Cathedral
In 367 the Celts of the north, the Picts and Scots overran the Wall.
Britons to fleed west into Wales and Cornwall

10. Saint Augustine
In 597 St.Augustine brought the Roman brand of Christianity to Britain.
The Saxon king Ethelbert of Kent was converted to Christianity.
Canterbury Cathedral
was founded.

11. The Canterbury Cathedral
Its first Archbishop was St.Augustine.
1770 – the murder of Thomas Becket
1774 – a fire broke out destroying the entire eastern end

12. The spread of Christianity
Canterbury Cathedral
664 – a synod oh bishops was called to sort out which form of Christianity was right.
RESULT:
Prefigured the future conflict with Rome
Brought England into contact with Europe’s new civilization

13. The Church brought:
Literacy and learning to kings and their councils
A greater humanity to the laws
English art and letters flowered
The Ecclesiastical History of the English People was written by Venerable Bede

14. THANK YOU!