the anglo- saxons: 449– 1066 introduction to the literary period
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The Anglo-The Anglo-Saxons: Saxons:
449–1066449–1066Introduction to the Introduction to the
Literary PeriodLiterary Period
The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066
300s B.C.Celts in Britain
55 B.C–A.D.409Roman Occupation
A.D. 449Anglo-Saxon Invasion
A.D. 400–699Spread of Christianity
A.D. 1066Norman Invasion
A.D.878King Alfred against the Danes
Choose a link on the time line to go to a milestone.
A.D.600
A.D.300
A.D. 1
300 B.C.
A.D.900
A.D. 1200
• Celtic religion a form of animism
Before and during the 4th century B.C.
Stonehenge• Druids were Celtic priests
• Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the Brythons
• Britain home to several Celtic tribes
The Roman OccupationThe Roman Occupation
55 B.C. Hadrian’s Wall
Romans evacuate their troops
• Central government breaks down
Julius Caesar invades Britain
Celts defeated by Claudius
A.D. 43
• Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads
Roman ruins
• Britain left vulnerable to attack
A.D. 409
Effects of Roman Effects of Roman InvasionInvasion
LatinLatin heavily influenced the English heavily influenced the English languagelanguage
Relative Relative PeacePeace
ChristianityChristianity begins to take hold in England begins to take hold in England (but does not fully displace Paganism for (but does not fully displace Paganism for several hundred years)several hundred years)
The Anglo-Saxon InvasionThe Anglo-Saxon Invasion
A.D. 449 The Anglo-Saxons push the Celts into the far west of the country.
Angles
Saxons
Jutes
Celts
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion
Anglo-Saxon Society
• kinship groups led by strong warrior chief
• people farmed, established local governments, produced fine craftwork
• English emerged as a written language
Page from Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion
Old English
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
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion
• Anglo-Saxons did not believe in afterlife
• warriors gained immortality through songs
Why were the scops important?
The Anglo-Saxon bards• called scops
Anglo-Saxon harp
• strummed harp as they sang• sang of heroic deeds• were often warriors
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion
8th–9th centuries
Vikings called Danes invade Britain
King Alfred against the DanesKing Alfred against the Danes
878 King Alfred unifies Anglo-Saxons against the Danes.
871 Alfred of Wessex is king of England.
England becomes a nation.
King Sweyn and his Danish troops arrive in England, from a
manuscript (c. 14th century)
• Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist
The Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of Christianity
• Christian monks settle in Britain
• British pagan religions replaced by Christianity
Around A.D. 400
By A.D. 699
• William of Normandy crosses the English Channel
The Norman InvasionThe Norman Invasion
The Norman Invasion, Bayeux Tapestry
• French replaces English as the language of the ruling class
1066
• William defeats Harold and Anglo-Saxon army
ObjectivesObjectives
To identify characteristics of Anglo-Saxon culture as To identify characteristics of Anglo-Saxon culture as reflected in the writings of the periodreflected in the writings of the period
To analyze the relationship between literature and historyTo analyze the relationship between literature and history
To analyze the relationship between language and To analyze the relationship between language and literatureliterature
To analyze the relationship between Old English and To analyze the relationship between Old English and Modern EnglishModern English
To identify the literary elements of Anglo-Saxon poetryTo identify the literary elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry
To demonstrate an understanding of the Anglo-Saxon To demonstrate an understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period and literature by writing compositions of analysis period and literature by writing compositions of analysis and comparisonsand comparisons
On a clean sheet of paperOn a clean sheet of paperDon’t forget your nameDon’t forget your name
1.1. Why is the Anglo-Saxon period usually Why is the Anglo-Saxon period usually dated from 449?dated from 449?
2.2. Who is credited with the unification of Who is credited with the unification of England?England?
3.3. What function was performed by the scop?What function was performed by the scop?
4.4. What even brought the Anglo-Saxon period What even brought the Anglo-Saxon period to a close?to a close?
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