the anglo saxon period 449-1066 ad
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The Anglo Saxon Period 449-1066 AD. The Sound of Old English. Old English reading- The Battle of Brunanburh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfaEGU45lKA. Origin of Modern English. Evolution of the English Language. 450-1066: Old English (Beowulf) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Anglo Saxon Period449-1066 AD
The Sound of Old English
Old English reading- The Battle of Brunanburh http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zfaEGU45lKA
Origin of Modern English
Evolution of the English Language
450-1066: Old English (Beowulf) 1150-1500: Middle English (Canterbury
Tales) 1500-1700: Early modern English
(Shakespeare) 1611- King James Bible: (Marked the
evolution of modern English to the present) 1900-2000: Modern English What do you think will be the next era?
English Language in a nutshell
Video 1: History of English Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=r9Tfbeqyu2U
Anglo-Saxons449-1066 AD
Anglo-Saxons were warriors from Denmark and Germany
Identified as: Angles from North, Saxons from South,
Jutes from Denmark Areas became known as the “Angles’ Land”
or England Language was called “Angle-ish” or English
The Anglo Saxon Period
Marked by series of invasions by: Romans, Germanic Tribes, Vikings
England was an isolated island at this time Iberians (present-day Spain) settled England Next, Celts settled England in 770 BC Celts = Britons (British) and Gaels (Irish)
Roman Invaders
Romans conquered England between 55BC-409AD
Julius Caesar declared England “conquered” after barely invading
100 years later Emperor Claudius asserted control over islands
Built 5,000 miles of stone roads linking capitals and towns (ie- London, York, Winchester)
Ancient Rome (Roman Forum today)
End of an Era: Here lies Caesar!
Germanic Invasions
Celts
Brought religion, metalworking, mythology, and legal system to England
Celtic Druids (Priests) believed every person had an immortal soul
Celtic language dominated England until 5th Century A.D.
Anglo Saxon Video
Video 2: Anglo Saxons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzxiz3Kw9eI
Video 3: Action Sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOxhDYM7vyo
Video 4: 7 min war action sequence http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=iLPlmo3SS_0&feature=related
Anglo-Saxon Society
Two Class Society 1. Earls/thanes: Rulers of the tribe 2. Churls: Bondservants and laborers for the
tribe leaders Witan- “Wise men” or earls who consulted
with Anglo-Saxon king as decision makers Women only gained respect as queen, wife of
a powerful earl, or as a churchwoman
Anglo-Saxon Weapons
Warrior Culture
Weapons were engraved with letters called “runes” to provide magical protection from harm
Songs and stories were created to honor heroic warriors
Dragons represented evil- Vikings sailed boats with carved dragons
Warrior Culture
Warriors were bound to chieftain until death Warriors had to avenge death of chieftain/
lord or die beside himAfter battle, warriors gathered together in
mead hall and ate at tables lined with goldMead hall was safest place- lords resided
here with their warriors
Mead Hall
Standard “Epic” Literature
Has a great leader who identifies with people & society
Hero performs great deeds in battle and has an epic journey
Gods/supernatural forces take part in action Story is told in heightened language and
includes long speeches from hero Heroes possess leadership, bravery, & loyalty
Anglo Saxon Literature
Poetry reflected Christian and Pagan values “Wyrd”- meant one’s fate in life Oral Tradition: Scops recited heroic verses Scops- highly revered men who orally handed
down literature Literature entertained/served as model for living Being subject of heroic tale meant immortality!
Anglo-Saxon Literary Devices
Scops used 2 poetic devices to help memorize stories:
Alliteration: repetition of consonant sounds Ex: The miserable, moody man (Caesura: pause within a line of poetry)
Kenning: metaphorical phrase Ex: Whale-road = ocean Ex: Candle in the sky = Sun
Write your own Kennings!
Write a Kenning for the words:
a. SCHOOL
b. HOMEWORKRemember, a kenning is typically a two-
word metaphoric phrase: Ex: Learning-annex (School)