1. THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

2. Three Major Periods in English Literature
Old English
Middle English
Modern English

3. Pre-Anglo-Saxon England
2000 B. C. inhabited by Iberians
Iberians invaded by Celts
55 B. C. Julius Caesar invaded
43 A. D. became a part of the Roman Empire under Claudius

4. By 300-400 A. D. Romans withdraw from Britain
449 A. D.--first Anglo-Saxon invasions

5. S T O N E H G

6. Hadrian’s Wall (Romans)

9. Anglo-Saxon Society Major tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes
Social unit was the “clan”
Each member bore responsibility for any wrongs inflicted or suffered by his kinsmen--duty to seek revenge

10. wergyld--system of payment or restitution (peaceful settlement based on property or money)

11. Anglo-Saxon society (cont.)
Comitatus--feudal arrangement whereby a youth would attach himself to a strong leader in exchange for economic and legal protection---also gold, horses, armor, etc.
Believed in a strong sense of fate, doom
wyrd--Anglo-Saxon term for fate
mead hall--center of social life

12. A Mead
Hall

13. Anglo-
Saxon
Battle
Helmet

14. Anglo-Saxon Religion Were pagan when they came to England
St. Augustine sent by Pope Gregory to England in 597
Landed at Canterbury, which became the center of the English Church--remains so today
Did not try to immediately stamp out old pagan religion
Anglo-Saxons easily converted

15. IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY
Had a civilizing effect on society
Encouraged scholarly learning--monks could read and write--though mostly in Latin
Scholarly monks wrote down the literature, which had been communicated orally

16. Page from the
Beowulf
Manuscript

17. The Danish (Viking) Invasions
Began near the end of the 8th century
Began periodic raids on the English coast
Ravaged Northhumbria and turned southward to Wessex
Stopped by Alfred the Great

18. Danish Ship

19. Why Alfred Was Great!!!
Turned back Viking invaders, who were threatening the complete overthrow of Anglo-Christian civilization
Promoted use of written Old English and commissioned writing of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
Encouraged scholarly endeavor
Began first public schools
Instituted the royal navy

20. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxons
Courageous
loyal
generous
hospitable
Highly moral
fond of boasting and fighting
Valued treasure and worldly goods

21. Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry came from an oral tradition.
It was recited/sung by a scop, who provided entertainment in the mead hall.

22. Features of Old English Poetry
Extensive use of alliteration
Use of caesura
Four-beat line
Liberal use of kennings
(Kenning—a type of metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, or thing.)

23. Wine-hall of warriors gleaming with gold.
alliteration
Wine-hall of warriors gleaming with gold.
hemistich
caesura
kenning