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Beowulf. Historical and Literary Background. Map of present-day Europe. Europe:pre-6 th Century. The British Isles Pre-A.D. to 400 A.D. Inhabited by: The Britons (Celtic). The Picts (Pre-Celtic). The Gaels (Celtic, Ireland). Druids. Intellectual class of Britons.
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Beowulf Historical and Literary Background
The British IslesPre-A.D. to 400 A.D. • Inhabited by: • The Britons (Celtic) • The Picts (Pre-Celtic) • The Gaels (Celtic, Ireland)
Druids • Intellectual class of Britons • Responsible for many elements of society • philosophers, judges, educators, historians, doctors, seers, astronomers, and astrologers.
Roman Invasion • Invaded by Julius Caesar, 55 B.C. • Firmly brought under Roman control by the Emperor Claudius, A.D. 43 • Romans brought roads, running water, heating systems, writing • Also brought armour, axes, etc. • System of worship, including, although not for a few hundred years, Christianity
Early 400s AD, the Roman legions withdrew from the British Isles to return to Rome.
Without the protection of the Roman Army, this led to the invasion of: • Angles • Saxons • Jutes
Throughout the 5th and 6th Century (400s-500s AD) Known as Germanic tribes-from Northern Holland, Northern Germany, and Denmark.
Burial site found in England called Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk. Dates to 7th Century. Believed to be the burial site of a king.
The Anglo-Saxons were heathens or pagans upon their arrival in Britain, meaning they did not worship the traditional Judeo-Christian God. Click here to go to slide # 65 Woden (Odin in Norse) was the God of War, poetry, magic, and learning. He was usually the chief of the gods.
The Anglo-Saxons did not necessarily believe in an afterlife. They did, however, believe in WYRD- FATE. For a true warrior, his fate was to fight and die in great battles. This would enable him to go to an eternal battle hall, called Valhalla (in the Norse tradition).
They were an oral culture. Story telling was very important to them. The only system of writing was the Runic alphabet.
The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, as their Runic Alphabet is called, was brought into Britain by the various tribes of Anglos, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians. This would have been around the 5th Century, and it was used until the 11th Century. These were used for inscriptions on jewelry, stones, weapons, money, and monuments.
Runes would have also been used to perform rituals and rites. In the Germanic languages of the time, rune meant mystery or secret. Most Runic alphabets are thought to be based on the Etruscan alphabet.
Runic alphabets • Elder Futhark • Gothic Runes • Anglo-Saxon Futhorc • Younger Futhork • Hungarian Runes • Turkic Runes • Cirth (Tolkein)
Once in Briton, the Anglo-Saxons settled down considerably and became more civilized.
Some historians believe that this is due to Christianity and its influence.
St Patrick is one of the more influential Christians in the history of this time. • Originally from Briton but from a Romanized family. • Kidnapped and taken to Ireland. • Turned to Christianity to comfort him. • Walked nearly 200 miles to escape after 6 years • Went back to Ireland as a missionary
Another Christian influence was Augustine*, who was sent by the Pope in the late 500s as a missionary. He became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and baptized the king of Kent. *Not Augustine of Hippo, the world famous philosopher and saint.
Cornwall and Brittany.
Heptarchy-comprised of seven kingdoms EA-East Anglia C-Cornwall K-Kent N-Northumbria S-Sussex M-Mercia W-Wessex
Enter the Danes The Vikings The Normans The Norse
Like the Anglo-Saxons, many of the Danes were a fierce and war-oriented, sea-faring people when they first arrived. • At first they raided unprotected monasteries. • The “Berserkers” were the most feared Viking. They were named after the bear shirts they wore. Prior to each battle they would work themselves into a frenzy so they could fight regardless of any pain or injury.
We now know for sure that they made it as far as Nova Scotia in their pioneering longships.
This is the only true Viking helmet ever found. Absolutely no evidence exists suggesting they wore horned helmets.
Alfred was a Saxon and Christian king of Wessex. • His battles with the Danes were numerous and • legendary. • Eventually took London from their control. • Forced many Danes to convert to Christianity • in one of his treaties/truces.
Alfred the Great encouraged people to read and write in the spoken language. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle began in his reign. Much of what we know today about the history comes from this document. This was written in Old English and was a timeline of British history written by monks.
After the initial raids, the Vikings began to settle various areas of the British Isles. Their settlements were agricultural and trading areas.
Canute invaded from Denmark and took over as • king. • He was supposed to divide the land with • Edmund II, his predecessor. • Edmund died within a month. • Married the widow of the Duke of Normandy. • Became King of Denmark around 1018. • In 1028 he conquered Norway.
Edward the Confessor • 1044-1066 • Very religious • No children • Father was Anglo-Saxon, mother Norman
Harold, Earl of Wessex • Took claim of the throne upon the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066, supported by witan • Other claims to the throne included Prince Edgar and William, Duke of Normandy • Fought battle in the North against the King of Norway
William the Conqueror • Duke of Normandy • Claimed that Edward promised him ascension • Took advantage of Harold’s fight in the North to invade • This is known as the Norman Conquest
The Battle of Hastings • Establishes William as King of England • Approximately 300 years of Norman Rule • Aristocracy speaks Anglo-Norman (French dialect) • Lower class speaks Anglo-Saxon (Old English)
