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Images of the Anglo-Saxon Era
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The Celts A people who came to Britain from the European countries
Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Brythons (Britons or British) 2
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Their society was organized into clans ruled by tribal chieftains
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Paul Jacobsthal, Early Celtic Art.
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. 4
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Celtic mythology is full of stories of the severed heads of heroes and the saints who carry their decapitated heads. 5
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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. 6
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Roman Period: 54-55 BC—Julius Caesar—led forces defeating the Britons but left without establishing a colony 7
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43 AD— Claudius conquered Britain introducing Roman law, culture, and Latin language to the island.
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The Romans built roads, spas, and military fortifications, like Hadrian’s Wall
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The Romans established a colony in Britain with the first capital Colchester then later in Londinium
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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. 11
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By 500-all Romans left Britain to defend Rome from foreign invaders
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Invasion by the Anglo-Saxons
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Angles— established kingdoms in the northern and midland sections of the island
Northumbria Mercia East Anglia 14
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from the Jutland peninsula
Jutes from the Jutland peninsula conquered South-Western England The kingdom of Kent 15
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Saxons— established kingdoms in the south
Wessex Essex Sussex 16
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Since the Angles were the most prominent tribe, the country became known as Angle-land and eventually… England! 18
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Germanic Invasions Germanic invaders arrived from Scandinavia, crossing the North Sea—These were the Norsemen, better known as Vikings. 19
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The historical King Arthur fought against the Germanic invaders.
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Woden Anglo Saxon name of the Norris god Odin
God of death, poetry, and magic Lives in Asgard, the realm of the Gods His influence could bring about victory in human wars 22
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Woden in Asgard 23
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Wyrd Fate, often personified as a goddess Is not certain!
People can still make decisions to alter their fate, but only so much as previous choices will allow them. (similar to karma) Warriors would often try to influence Wyrd through acts of great valor. 24
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Wyrd Sisters from Shakespeare’s Macbeth
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Days of the Week Sunday: Day of the Sun Monday: Day of the Moon
Tuesday: Tui's Day (God of war and heroism) Wednesday: Woden's Day Thursday: Thor's Day (God of thunder) Friday: Frige's Day (Goddess of beauty) Saturday: Saturn's Day (God of harvest)
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Anglo-Saxon society was organized into a class system
Cultural Aspects: Anglo-Saxon society was organized into a class system Comitatus—A warrior band Witenagemot—council of elders Chieftains—Leaders of tribes Thanes—class of warriors, like Earls Churls—freemen, peasants Thralls—slaves Nithing—a person who disgraced himself and was generally exiled 27
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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 28
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Warrior Code Undying allegiance to a lord Generosity of leaders
Materialism Reputation/Fame Boasting 29
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Mead wine made from fermented honey
Mead halls places where kings would entertain guests, friends, and retainers 30
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Scops Minstrels or bards
Composed lays or songs celebrating heroic deeds Entertainer, Historian, Public Relations man 31
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Metalwork The famous parade helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to King Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625. 32
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Jewelry 33
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Tapestries 34
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Carvings 35
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Statues of Alfred the Great
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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
In approximately 890, Alfred the Great commissioned the Chronicle to be written. One of the best collections of British history we have from the Anglo-Saxon Era. Starts at the beginning of the millennium Not completely reliable Recorded until 1154
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Elements of Anglo Saxon Poetry:
Oral Tradition Rhythmic musical Alliteration Kennings Caesura 39
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Alliteration– repetition of sounds in words close together.
There are TWO main literary devices in Beowulf: Alliteration– repetition of sounds in words close together. Kennings– specialized metaphor made of compound words 40
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Alliteration: repetition of sounds in words close together.
Old English: “God mid Geatum, Grendles Daeda” Modern English: “great among Geats, of Grendel’s doings More notes on page 49. 41
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ring giver: lord or king Bee Wolf (Beowulf): bear
Kennings Whale-road: the ocean ring giver: lord or king Bee Wolf (Beowulf): bear Often written as an appositive, a noun phrase that adds a second image to a preceding noun. Hrothgar, good ring giver, 42
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Other Aspects of Anglo Saxon Poetry
Elegiac tone Mixture of paganism and Christianity Often deals with the winter and the sea 43
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Credits: Adapted from PowerPoint written by Robbie Grice, English Teacher at Spring Valley High School. Video Clip from Dark Ages, The: Europe After the Fall of Rome ( A.D.) © 1995 United Learning 44
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Anglo-Saxon History Video: Britain AD: King Arthur’s Britain
As we watch, consider these questions: How do literature and archeology influence each other? What spiritual aspects of life in early Britain do we see? What do we know about the legend of Arthur?
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