1. Anglo-Saxon Period

2. The Celts
A people who came to Britain from the European countries Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Brythons (Britons or British)

3. Herne the Hunter, the probable source for Robin Hood
They were…
farmers and hunters
Herne the Hunter, the probable source for Robin Hood

4. Their society was organized into clans ruled by tribal chieftains

5. They were also head-hunters… "Amongst the Celts the human head was venerated above all else, since the head was to the Celt the soul, centre of the emotions as well as of life itself, a symbol of divinity and of the powers of the other-world."
Paul Jacobsthal, Early Celtic Art.

6. Celtic mythology is full of stories of the severed heads of heroes and the saints who carry their decapitated heads.

7. Druids: pagan priests of the Celts
…composed hymns, poems, and historical records; studied movements of heavenly bodies; served as judges; and conducted religious ceremonies at places such as Stonehenge.

9. Roman Period:
54-55 BC—Julius Caesar—led forces defeating the Britons but left without establishing a colony

10. 43 AD—Claudius conquered Britain introducing Roman law, culture, and Latin language to the island.

11. The Romans built roads, spas, and military fortifications, like Hadrian’s Wall

12. The Romans established a colony in Britain with the first capital Colchester then later in Londinium

13. 60 AD—Prasutagus—King of a Celtic tribe died; Boudica (his wife) destroyed London and Colchester—and very nearly defeated the Roman army
Statue of Boudica near Westminster Pier, with her two daughters upon a chariot.

14. By 500-all Romans left Britain to defend Rome from foreign invaders

15. Germanic Invasions
Germanic invaders arrived from Scandinavia, crossing the North Sea—These were the Norsemen, better known as Vikings.

16. The historical King Arthur fought against the Germanic invaders.

17. Three Major Germanic Tribes

18. Angles—established kingdoms in the northern and midland sections of the island
Northumbria
Mercia
East Anglia

19. Jutes—from the Jutland peninsula—conquered South-Western England—
The kingdom of Kent

20. Saxons—established kingdoms in the south
Wessex
Essex
Sussex

21. …since the Angles were the most prominent tribe, the country became known as Angle-land and eventually…England!

22. Anglo-Saxons brought Germanic legends and cultural aspects to Britain

23. Gods Tui—god of war Woden—king of gods Thor—god of thunder and sky
Freia—goddess of home
Wyrd—fate—a goddess
We get the names of the week from these gods!

24. Anglo-Saxon society was organized into a class system
Cultural Aspects:
Anglo-Saxon society was organized into a class system
Comitatus—A warrior band
Witenagemont—council of elders
Chieftains—Leaders of tribes
Thanes—class of ruling warriors, like earls

25. Cultural Aspects: Continued
Churls—freemen, peasants
Thralls—slaves
Nithing—a person who disgraced himself and was generally exiled

26. Ways to satisfy a wrong:
Revenge
In the name of Honor, revenge was a way of life.
Ways to satisfy a wrong:
Redress in kind (an eye for an eye)
Wergild ("man money")—payment in treasure
Political marriages

27. Warrior Code Undying allegiance to a lord Generosity of leaders
Materialism
Reputation/Fame
Boasting

28. Mead wine made from fermented honey
Mead halls places where kings would entertain guests, friends, and retainers

29. Scops -Minstrels or bards -Composed lays or songs celebrating heroic deeds
Entertainer, Historian, Public Relations man

30. Craftsmanship
Metalwork

31. Jewelry

32. Tapestries

33. Carvings

34. Elements of Anglo Saxon Poetry:
-Oral Tradition
-Rhythmic/musical
-Alliteration
-Kennings
-Caesura

35. Other Aspects of Anglo Saxon Poetry
Elegiac tone
Mixture of paganism and Christianity
Often deals with the winter and the sea