1. The Anglo-Saxons

2. Great Britain Invaded by These invasions shaped the country
Iberians (came from Iberian Peninsula)
Celts
Romans
Anglo Saxons
Vikings
Normans
These invasions shaped the country

3. Celts Known to be in England since 300 B.C.
700 B.C. they dominated western and central Europe
Artisans – introduced iron to the rest of Europe
Farmers
Warriors
Language was dominant until 500 A.D.
Language was the basis for
Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Irish (Wales, Scotland, Ireland)

4. Celts
One of the groups of Celts, Brythons, formed the basis for the name Britain
The legend of King Arthur was based on Celtic legends about one of their Chieftains
William Butler Yeats used Celtic legends as basis for his poetry
Celtic legends included strong powerful women

5. Animism Practiced by the Celts
“Spirits/Fairies” inhabit and controlled everything
Priests were called Druids
Occasionally ritual dances were necessary
Occasionally human sacrifice was necessary
Beliefs led the way for many fantastical stories

6. Romans Julius Caesar leads an invasion in 55 B.C.
Romans kept other invaders away from Britain for several hundred years
Built 5,000 miles of roads
Enabled trade, taxes, and military
Christianity is introduced
Left Britain in 409 A.D.

7. Roman Departure Left Britain in 409 A.D. Left Britain governmentless
Left Britain open for more invasions

8. Anglo-Saxons Angles and Saxons came from Germany
Jutes came from Denmark

9. Anglo-Saxons Began as groups of families led by a chief Farmers
Metal Workers
Anglo-Saxon language became the dominant language
Coined the name England

10. Anglo-Saxons Not barbarians but warfare was common
Loyalty was tantamount
Ensured survival
Rewarded by leaders in form of gifts
Fame and success were gained by loyalty to the leader
Success was measured by
gifts from the leader
Fame: immortality could be found through recognition for heroic deeds

11. King Alfred aka Alfred the Great
Unified the many groups together to fight the Danes/Vikings
Rebuilt cities that had been destroyed during invasions
Revived interest in learning
Helped spread the use of English as a common language which allowed it to gain respect
Started the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a record of Anglo-Saxon history
Translated and wrote works

12. Anglo-Saxon Religion Woden Thunor God of death, poetry, and magic
Led to the word Wednesday (Woden’s Day)
Could help humans communicate with spirits
Associated with burial rites and trances
Thunor
God of thunder and lightning
Led to the word Thursday (Thunor’s Day)

13. Anglo-Saxon Virtues Bravery Loyalty Generosity Friendship
Rough life with constant invasions and harsh conditions
Loyalty
Rewarded because leaders needed to know they had help
Generosity
Tokens of appreciation for bravery and loyalty
Friendship

14. Dragons Important part of Anglo-Saxon beliefs Protectors of treasure
Associated with the Vikings/Danes
Carved on their ships
Embodiment of evil and death

15. Bards Scops Talented story tellers Sang stories of heroes and gods
Sung with a harp
As important to society as warriors
Sang sad stories of bravery and hardships
To be a hero of a story was the ultimate reward – FAME
Used common phrases to remember their stories

16. Christianity 432 all of Ireland converted
Irish monks formed monasteries for refugee scholars
Eventually replaced the Anglo-Saxon religion
Linked England to Europe

17. Monasteries Centers of learning
Preserved stories by copying them by hand

18. Living Quarters—Mead Halls
A reconstructed Anglo-Saxon home located in West Stow in Sussex, England
Mead Hall
center of life
sleeping quarters
dining area
meeting place

19. Sutton Hoo Located in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England Discovered in 1939
Burial ship of an Anglo-Saxon king
Burial site contained 41 items of solid gold and 37 gold coins

20. Anglo-Saxon Artifacts
Anglo-Saxon rings, Anglo-Saxon pommel,

21. Anglo-Saxon Brooch
Anglo-Saxon pendant probably made in the 7th century AD
found in garden soil at Sacriston, County Durham.
made of solid gold with a goldwire or filigree decoration.

22. 7th century helmet
Reconstructed from hundreds of corroded iron fragments

23. The Lord’s Prayer in Old English