2. The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 Stonehenge (c. 2000 BC)

3. Roman Empire in AD 117

5. History of English & England 400-600 A.D. -- Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade (Beowulf set) 410 A.D. – Rome renounces control of Britain 521 A.D. – Hygelac invades the Netherlands 597 A.D. – St. Augustine 625 A.D. – Sutton Hoo 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem

6. Sutton Hoo Ship burial of a 7 th -century Anglo- Saxon king, possibly Raedwald (d. 624/625) Found in 1939 at Sutton Hoo in eastern England, formerly the Danelaw Ship was nearly 80 feet long, laden with treasures and everyday equipment (even if it is everyday equipment made of gold) Window into the early Anglo-Saxon world

7. Sutton Hoo Photos from British Museum

8. Sutton Hoo

10. Anglo-Saxon Life Thanks to Sutton Hoo, we learned more about Anglo-Saxon customs Daily life Religion Role of Women Community Entertainment

11. Anglo-Saxon Daily Life The Anglo-Saxons farmed, maintained local governments, and created fine crafts, especially metalwork. This development produced a new language: Old English. Lived close to their animals (to protect animals and provide warmth) Lived in single-family homes surrounding a communal hall and protected by a wooden stockade fence

12. An Anglo- Saxon home

13. Characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons Hard fighters and bold sea warriors Great love of personal freedom Boastful, reckless, cruel, and bloodthirsty Enjoyed conflict, swimming matches, horse races, banqueting, drinking mead, singing songs, and storytelling Also flyting, a conflict of wits between two warriors where each praises his own deeds and belittles the other’s

14. Anglo-Saxon Community Tribal society with kinship bonds and a heroic code of behavior –bravery –loyalty to one's lord, one's warband (comitatus), and one's kin –willingness to avenge one's warband or lord at all costs – death preferable to exile. –generosity of lord to thanes and of hero to warband and lord--gift-giving –heroism (i.e., great deeds) brings honor, eternal fame, and political power

15. Anglo-Saxon Values Loyalty –Fighting for one’s king –Avenging one’s kinsmen –Keeping one’s word Generosity -- gifts symbolize bonds Friendship: brotherly love- not romantic love Bravery & Heroism –Physical strength –Skill and resourcefulness in battle –Courage Public reputation, not private conscience

16. What about the women? Women make peace, bearing children who create blood ties Women pass the cup at the mead-hall, cementing social bonds Women lament loss, don’t avenge Could own property Oversaw some domestic chores

17. The Anglo-Saxon religion offered no hope of an afterlife valued earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship similar to what we call Norse mythology ThunorThor WodenOdin Day of weekAnglo-Saxon godNorse god Wednesday Thursday

18. Anglo-Saxon Beliefs Pagan, polytheistic Very pessimistic view of life (due to the ever-present dangers of death by accident or warfare) Human life in the hands of fate (wyrd) Did not believe in an afterlife Immortality only earned through heroic actions Sharp contrast to the Christian belief in an individual’s free will

19. So, what’d they do for fun? The Anglo-Saxon bards called scops strummed harp as they sang sang of heroic deeds were often warriors

20. Show what you know! Use the clues in the sentence to fill in the blanks with what you know about the Anglo-Saxons!

21. Kennings Activity Find your missing match! Match each kenning to its real meaning. Tape the completed pairs to the board.

22. Introduction to Beowulf The scop: Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a singing poet Oral techniques: alliteration, repetition, variation, kennings, half- lines, metonymy (one thing substituted for another), synecdoche (part for the whole)

23. Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

24. Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 6. It’s a great story

25. Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know:  who wrote it  when exactly it was written  how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

26. Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know:  Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo- Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.  Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.  The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11 th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

27.  The actual poem probably dates from the 8 th century (700’s) or so, and…  The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.  There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

28. Beowulf’s Provenance So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

29. Beowulf’s Provenance So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11 th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

30. Beowulf’s Provenance Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

31. Beowulf Manuscript (Note the burn marks on the top and sides—the ms. was severely damaged in a fire)

32. Introduction to Beowulf Story isn’t about the English—it’s about the Danes and the Geats. So what’s it doing in England? Romans controlled England (up to Hadrian’s Wall) until the 5 th century Waves of post-Roman invasions by Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Irish Native Britons couldn’t hold them off

33. Poetics Hwaet! Wē Gār-Denain geārdagum þēodcyningaþrym gefrūnon, hū ðā æþelingasellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scēfingsceaþena þrēatum monegum mægþummeodosetla oftēah, egsode eorlassyððan ærest wearð fēasceaft funden.Hē þæs frōfre gebād, wēox under wolcnum,weorðmundum þāh oð þæt him æghwylcþāra ymbsittendra ofer hronrādehyran scolde, gomban gyldan.Þæt wæs gōd cyning!

34. Introduction to Beowulf Oral vs. written text Many ancient works were memorized and recited—and were not written down until centuries later (Odyssey, Iliad, Beowulf) Only surviving Beowulf manuscript dates from late 10 th century Probably composed mid-8 th century, circa 750

35. Kennings A metaphorical expression used in place of a noun Sea = “whale-road” or “swan’s way” Joints, ligaments = “bone-locks” Sun = “sky-candle” Icicles = “water-ropes”

36. Metonymy and Synecdoche Metonymy: Name of one thing is substituted for the name of something else that most people would associate with the first thing –“Iron” for “Sword” –“Crown” for “king” or “monarchy” Synecdoche: Substitute a part for the whole –“keel” for “ship” –“All hands on deck” –“Heads of cattle”

37. Epic hero traits Is significant and glorified Is on a quest Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage Is ethical. Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society Is a strong and responsible leader Performs brave deeds Reflects ideals of a particular society

38. Some terms you’ll want to know scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

39. comitatus Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another Some terms you’ll want to know

40. thane A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc. Some terms you’ll want to know

41. wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

42. epic Beowulf is an epic poem. This means it has a larger- than life hero and the conflict is of universal importance. There’s a certain serious that accompanies most epics. Some terms you’ll want to know

44. PAGAN  Strong nature presence  Strength of the warrior CHRISTIANITY  Christian elements are included in the poem  Grendel is described as a descendant of Cain

45. Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure Loyalty and allegiance The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Heroism and heroic deeds