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THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD. 449---1066. Three Major Periods in English Literature. Old English--449-1066 Middle English--1066-1485 Modern English--1485+. Pre-Anglo-Saxon England. 2000 B. C. inhabited by Iberians Iberians invaded by Celts 55 B. C. Julius Caesar invaded

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THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

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  1. THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD 449---1066

  2. Three Major Periods in English Literature • Old English--449-1066 • Middle English--1066-1485 • Modern English--1485+

  3. Pre-Anglo-Saxon England • 2000 B. C. inhabited by Iberians • Iberians invaded by Celts • 55 B. C. Julius Caesar invaded • 43 A. D. became a part of the Roman Empire under Claudius

  4. By 300-400 A. D. Romans withdraw from Britain • 449 A. D.--first Anglo-Saxon invasions

  5. S T O N E H E N G E

  6. Hadrian’s Wall (Romans)

  7. Anglo-Saxon Society • Major tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes • Social unit was the “clan” • Each member bore responsibility for any wrongs inflicted or suffered by his kinsmen--duty to seek revenge

  8. wergyld--system of payment or restitution (peaceful settlement based on property or money)

  9. Anglo-Saxon society (cont.) • Comitatus--feudal arrangement whereby a youth would attach himself to a strong leader in exchange for economic and legal protection---also gold, horses, armor, etc. • Believed in a strong sense of fate, doom • wyrd--Anglo-Saxon term for fate • mead hall--center of social life

  10. A Mead Hall

  11. Anglo- Saxon Battle Helmet

  12. Anglo-Saxon Religion • Were pagan when they came to England • St. Augustine sent by Pope Gregory to England in 597 • Landed at Canterbury, which became the center of the English Church--remains so today • Did not try to immediately stamp out old pagan religion • Anglo-Saxons easily converted

  13. IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY • Had a civilizing effect on society • Encouraged scholarly learning--monks could read and write--though mostly in Latin • Scholarly monks wrote down the literature, which had been communicated orally

  14. Page from the Beowulf Manuscript

  15. The Danish (Viking) Invasions • Began near the end of the 8th century • Began periodic raids on the English coast • Ravaged Northhumbria and turned southward to Wessex • Stopped by Alfred the Great

  16. Danish Ship

  17. Why Alfred Was Great!!! • Turned back Viking invaders, who were threatening the complete overthrow of Anglo-Christian civilization • Promoted use of written Old English and commissioned writing of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles • Encouraged scholarly endeavor • Began first public schools • Instituted the royal navy

  18. Courageous Loyal Generous Hospitable Highly moral Fond of boasting and fighting Valued treasure and worldly goods Characteristics of Anglo-Saxons

  19. Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry came from an oral tradition. It was recited/sung by a scop, who provided entertainment in the mead hall.

  20. Features of Old English Poetry • Extensive use of alliteration • Use of caesura • Four-beat line • Liberal use of kennings (Kenning—a type of metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, or thing.)

  21. alliteration Wine-hall of warriors gleaming with gold. hemistich caesura kenning

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