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The Anglo-Saxon Period

The Anglo-Saxon Period. Historical Context. Centuries of Invasion. Referred to as “The Dark Ages” because of seemingly endless Bloody conflicts Ignorance Violence Barbarism Literature reflects this reality Summer is rarely used as the setting Winter prevails, and spring comes slowly

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The Anglo-Saxon Period

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  1. The Anglo-Saxon Period Historical Context

  2. Centuries of Invasion • Referred to as “The Dark Ages” because of seemingly endless • Bloody conflicts • Ignorance • Violence • Barbarism • Literature reflects this reality • Summer is rarely used as the setting • Winter prevails, and spring comes slowly • Also in literature, only the strong survive

  3. Centuries of Invasion • Julius Caesar (55 B.C.) attempts to conquer the “Britons,” but is driven back • A century later, Rome returns and conquers Brittania • The people gradually adopt a Roman lifestyle • In the fifth century, Roman forces pull out and Britain becomes a target for invaders • Their central government and protector, Rome, was gone

  4. Centuries of Invasion • Germanic tribes known as Angles and Saxons invaded Britain • A Celtic chieftain named Arthur fights back, but Britain is driven west (Cornwall and Wales) and north (Scotland) • The Legend of King Arthur probably stems from this person • The conquered land is settled by the Angles and becomes known as Angle-land, or England

  5. Centuries of Invasion • The language is that of Old English, a language hybridized between German and Celtic • The Vikings invade in 790, hailing from Denmark and Norway setting the stage for English’s first work, Beowulf

  6. The Spread of Christianity • Before 300 AD, many of the tribes inhabiting Britain believed in “wyrd” or fate • This was probably because death could come at any time, due to civil instability • The view of the people was fatalistic • The number of Christians living in Britain after 300 AD grew steadily • By 597, Augustine had established a monastery at Canterbury

  7. The Spread of Christianity • Christianity taught that suffering in this life was a prelude to paradise in the next • By 690 AD, almost all of Britain was Christian but some pagan beliefs and customs remained

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