1. The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 Theme: Heroes and Heroism British Legends

2. What to expect? 1.Oral History—Lessons and entertainment 2.British folktale 3.Anglo Saxon time period

3. Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? Between 800 and 600 B.C., two groups of Celts from southern Europe invaded the British Isles. –Brythons (now spelled “Britons”) settled on the largest Island, Britain. –Gaels, settled on the second largest island, known to us as Ireland.

4. Proto Indo European GermanicCelticBalto-SlavicLatin Greek Albanian Indo- Iranian RussianUkrainianCzechSlovak Serb- Croatian PersianKurdishHindiBengali IranianSanskrit RomanianFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalian SlavicBaltic WelshBretan Gælic LatvianLithuanian

5. The Celts –farmers and hunters –organized themselves into clans –clans had fearsome loyalty to chieftains –looked to priests, known as Druids, to settle their disputes

6. Proto Indo European GermanicCelticBalto-SlavicLatin Greek Albanian Indo- Iranian RussianUkrainianCzechSlovak Serb- Croatian PersianKurdishHindiBengali IranianSanskrit RomanianFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalian SlavicBaltic WelshBretan Gælic LatvianLithuanian

7. Roman conquest of Britain AD 43 –Britain annexed as a province in the Roman Empire –Difficult to control such a large piece of landsuch a large piece of land Brought Christianity to Britain around AD 300 –Pagan vs. Christian themes throughout; never fully indoctrinated at this time The last Romans left around 407 A.D. –Needed to defend against rebelling European countries; England left to its own devices Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from?

8. Roman Empire

9. Roman Gatehouse in Britain Arbeia

10. Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? 449AD 3 Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) invade. Destruction of Roman influence, including Christianity New land: “Angle-land” - small tribal kingdoms - no written language - supported themselves through farming and hunting

11. Proto Indo European GermanicCelticBalto-SlavicLatin Greek Albanian Indo- Iranian RussianUkrainianCzechSlovak Serb- Croatian PersianKurdishHindiBengali IranianSanskrit RomanianFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalian SlavicBaltic WelshBretan Gælic LatvianLithuanian

12. Anglo Saxon King and Warrior early 7 th century

13. An Anglo-Saxon Hall

14. An Anglo-Saxon Farmstead West Stow: reconstructed village Look familiar?

15. Sutton Hoo Burial site discovered in 1939 Important links to Anglo- Saxon world and Beowulf Remains of a boat were discovered and large burial chamber containing numerous artifacts Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element intermingled with pagan ritual.

17. The Reemergence of Christianity 596AD: attempt to convert Anglo- Saxons to Christianity 597AD: Saint Augustine –converted King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity. –set up a monastery in Canterbury in Kent. 650AD: most of England is Christian; some hold on to previous beliefs –The church provided counsel to quarreling rulers in efforts to unify the English people. At this time, the British Isles were not unified and included separate kingdoms with separate rulers. They fought continuously over the fertile, green land

18. Constant Conflict 9 th Century: –Norway invaded Northumbria (Anglo-Saxon kingdom in northern and central England), Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. –The Danes of Denmark targeted eastern and southern England Why is this important?

19. Alfred the Great King of Wessex 871-899 866—resisted Danish intrusion and earned “the great” title –Saxons acknowledged Danish rule in East and North –Danes respected Saxon rule in South End of 10 th Century—Danes want to widen Danelaw –Forced Saxons to select Danish Kings 1042—Kingship returned to Alfred the Great’s descendent Edward Edward the Confessor died in 1066. His death led to the end of the Anglo-Saxon Period.

20. Literature of Anglo-Saxon Times 2 major influences 1) Germanic Traditions of the Anglo-Saxons 2) Christian Traditions of the Roman Church Those two groups are most important in consideration of the English language we have today!

21. Proto Indo European GermanicCelticBalto-SlavicLatin Greek Albanian Indo- Iranian RussianUkrainianCzechSlovak Serb- Croatian PersianKurdishHindiBengali IranianSanskrit RomanianFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalian SlavicBaltic WelshBretan Gælic LatvianLithuanian

22. 1) Germanic Traditions of the Anglo-Saxons Germanic language – Mixture of various Germanic dialects + Old English – Old English (often looks like a foreign language)

23. Page of Beowulf manuscript in Old English

24. Heroic Ideals Dominate Warrior culture – Poems and stories depict a society like the Anglo- Saxons Military and tribal loyalties Bravery of warriors Generosity of rulers Oral tradition – Songs and stories often sung and told about the valiant struggles of heroic warriors More than just entertainment – provided a model for living and a form of immortality they could aspire to Note: all of these provided the foundation for early written literature in Old English

25. Anglo-Saxon Literature cont. Anglo-Saxon poetry falls mainly into two categories: –Heroic poetry – recounts the achievements of warriors –Elegiac poetry – laments the deaths of loved ones and the loss of the past Beowulf is the most famous example of heroic poetry.

26. The Beowulf Poet Christian; reflects established traditionChristian; reflects established tradition Allusions to the Old TestamentAllusions to the Old Testament Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man from sin:Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man from sin: Christ archetype: Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the death of ChristChrist archetype: Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the death of Christ The price of salvation is life itselfThe price of salvation is life itself

27. Epic Beowulf: Unknown authorBeowulf: Unknown author The national epic of England (first work to be composed in English)The national epic of England (first work to be composed in English) A long heroic poem, about a great legendary warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity.A long heroic poem, about a great legendary warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity.

28. Epic Elements Most epics are serious in tone and lofty in style, a technique meant to convey the importance of the events. Long speeches by the characters suggest an impressive formality. Use of kennings

29. Epic Elements Epic ElementDefinitionAs seen in … Epic Hero Quest Valorous deeds Divine intervention Great events Epic ElementDefinitionAs seen in …Beowulf Epic Hero the central character of an epic. This character is a larger-than-life figure, typically of noble or semi-divine birth, who pits his courage, skill, and virtue against opposing, often evil, forces. Beowulf…he is super strong, and ridiculously brave. His courage is unmatched in this fictional universe. Quest a long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the hero’s opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown. He journeys from his homeland in order to the rid the earth of the monster Grendel. Valorous deeds long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the hero’s opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown. He valiantly fights every foe in his path, although each opponent is incredibly dangerous. Divine intervention In many epics, the hero receives help from a god or another supernatural force who takes an interest in his quest. What is Beowulf’s connection to God or any other divine figure? Great events Important events from the history or mythology of a nation or culture often provide the backdrop for the epic narrative. Which events happen in Beowulf that we can interpret as shaping a part of OUR history today?

30. Heroic Values in Beowulf Relationship between king and his warriorsRelationship between king and his warriors The king rewards his warriors with giftsThe king rewards his warriors with gifts If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensationIf a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation

31. Conflict Christian Values and Heroic Values This tension is at the heart of the poemThis tension is at the heart of the poem Pagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moralPagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moral Beowulf is poised between two value systemsBeowulf is poised between two value systems

32. The Epic Hero Defeats his enemies using Physical strength Skill as a warrior Nobility of character Quick wits Is not modest – boasting is a ritual Embodies the ideals and values of his people Is eager for fame Because the Germanic tribes believed death was inevitable, warriors sought fame to preserve the memory of their deeds after death A man of high social status whose fate affects the destiny of his people

33. Ready for Beowulf? Turn to page 40 in your literature textbooks.