1. The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 A.D.

2. A Brief History Original inhabitants of what is known as England were the Celts, the original Britons Pagan Much of their history is unknown until later

3. The First Invasion of the Celts

4. The Romans... Julius Caesar raided “Britain” in 55 and 54 B.C.

5. The Romans... Introduced the concept of Christianity

6. The Roman Rule... Lasted for nearly 300 years During this time, commerce flourished Civilization advanced Roman rule crumbled in the fourth and fifth centuries

7. The Romans Built Hadrian’s Wall A great fortification running across the island near the Scottish border Built circa 123 A.D. for protection from invading Picts and Scots Nearly 70 miles long

8. The Second Invasion

9. The Germanic Invasions According to history, in 449 the first band of people from the North German plain crossed the North Sea and settled in what is now known as Kent. These people were the Jutes from Jutland.

10. The Germanic Invasion... After the first wave of Jutes came the Angles. Present day England derives its name from the name “Angle- Land.” Known as the “hook-men.”

11. The Germanic Invasions Following the Jutes and the Angles, the next invaders were the Saxons. Known as the “swords-men.”

12. The Three Tribes Combined to Create Anglo-Saxon England

13. What Were the Anglo- Saxons Like? Hardy Athletic Wandering Fierce in personal valor Pagan Sea-Faring Loyal to leader and tribe Ruled by fate called “wyrd”

14. Believed in the Norse Gods as part of their superstitions and religious beliefs...

15. Even now, our weekdays are named after their ancient Norse gods... Wednesday for the warlike Woden

16. Thursday for Thor, the god of thunder

17. Friday for Frigga, the goddess of love and the home

18. Anglo-Saxon Lives Divided into tribes and kingdoms Each tribe led by a king or chieftain Followers of these kings were called thanes After hunt and battles, they would gather in a mead hall Entertained by a scop and gleeman Governed themselves democratically Decisions made in meeting called folkmoots- the term now applies a moot point (a question that can be argued)

19. Anglo-Saxon Chieftain or King

20. Anglo-Saxon Thane

21. The Mead Hall

22. The Scop and Gleeman

23. As the Anglo-Saxons had no written language, they relied on the following as a means of literary preservation...

24. The Oral Tradition Defined as a body of songs, stories, and poems preserved by being passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. Often sung by a scop- a traveling storyteller often accompanied by a harp.

25. Elements of Anglo-Saxon Literature Composed in Old English Each line is divided by a caesura (a natural pause or break in a line of poetry, is essential for rhythm) Incorporates kennings (a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun) Usually includes a blend of pagan and Christian elements

26. Old English Text