1. Anglo-Saxon Period
English IV- Mrs. Gee

2. Beginnings: Celts: 300s B.C. Romans: 55 B.C.
Brythons were a group of Celts (Hence the name Britain)
Romans: 55 B.C.
Caesar crosses the English Channel
43 A.D. Britain becomes part of the Roman Empire
409 A.D. Roman legions withdraw from Britain leaving it ripe for attack

3. Beginnings (Cont.): Angles, Saxons, Jutes: 449 A.D.
Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and Germany
Celts retreated into Wales (Arthur is a legendary Celtic chieftain)
597 A.D. St. Augustine converts King Ethelbert to Christianity (Thereby converting all Anglo-Saxons)

4. Alfred the Great
Only Anglo-Saxon king to successfully defend the island from invasion
A great patron of learning
Commissioned the translation of many Latin works

5. Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle
Two Classes in Anglo-Saxon society
Earls (eorls)
Rulers of the tribe. Related to the tribe’s founder
Churls (ceorls, bondservants)
Ancestors had been captured by the tribe

6. Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont)
Simple Lifestyle
Built villages
Mead halls were the center of village life
Communal farmers
Social organization was based on strict societal laws and a sense of obligation to others

7. Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont)
Militaristic Society
Comitatus: The relationship between the chieftain and his warriors
Avenge each other’s deaths/sufferings
Most important Anglo-Saxon relationship (Even over kinship)
Chieftain was the absolute ruler, but he would still consult with the witan (wise men), an assembly of respected elders

8. Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle (cont)
Sea-Going Society
Important for trade because of the isolation of the island
Family Unit
Wergild: Obligation of the family to seek repayment (Money, property, blood) for the death of a family member
Literally translated as “man payment”

9. Anglo-Saxon Religion
Worshipped many different dieties including idols, nature, and animals
Norse Gods/Goddesses
Odin (Woden)- God of death, poetry, and magic
Thor (Thunor)- God of Thunder and lightning

10. Anglo-Saxon Religion (cont.)
Wyrd: Anglo-Saxon word for “fate”
They believed that human destiny was controlled by wyrd
In Norse mythology three female entities (the Norns) were responsible for shaping people’s lives out of the layers of their pasts.

11. Anglo-Saxon Religion (cont.)
597 A.D. Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity
Pagan customs gradual remolded- A blend of pagan and Christian customs was the result (As seen in Beowulf)
By the end of the 7th century, Anglo-Saxons were truly converted (Beowulf first recorded around 700 A.D.)

12. Bards, Scops, and Minstrels
Sang the songs of the past and present in the mead halls
Sang of their gods/heroes/adventures
Considered the equals of warriors due to their importance
Only way to immortality was through the songs of the scops

13. Literary Culture of the Anglo-Saxons
English literature began in the mead halls where the scops would sing their songs
8th century- Monks began transcribing the ancient epics
Only texts which served the ideas of Christianity were preserved

14. Old English Poetry No rhyme Profound use of alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds
“Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed”
Use of kenning
Metaphorical compound words or phrases that indicate a person or thing by a characteristic or quality
“Ring-giver” = King
Rapid narrative style leaving out unnecessary details
Blatant Foreshadowing

15. Old English Poetry (cont.)
Epic Poetry
Epic = A long narrative poem that records the exploits of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the national ideals of his/her people
The epic hero is known for his/her strength, wisdom, and courage which assist him/her with the tasks at hand
Four remaining works of Anglo-Saxon literature
Beowulf
Junius (Contains poems by the English scholar/monk Bede
The Exeter Book (“The Seafarer”)
Vercelli