Anglo-Saxon Background

449 - 1485

Known as “Dark Ages” because of the barbaric nature of the people.

Known as a time of bloody conflicts, ignorance, violence, and barbarism.

England Part of an island that includes Scotland and Wales

(Ireland is a separate island to the west of England) As a whole the countries today are known as the United

Kingdom of Great Britain (UK) Modern culture primarily the result of a series of

invasions from many other European cultures/countries, Rome, France, the Vikings, Germanic tribes, et.al.

Two of the most important things the US inherited from England: Language and Law (US Constitution based on democratic concept of the Magna Carta)

Modern Great Britain

Timeline of British History 2000 B.C.—Stonehenge 1500-1000 B.C.—Celts arrive in England 55 b.c-410 A.D. —Roman occupation 450—Jutes, Angles, Saxon arrive 597—St. Augustine brings Christian revival 500-600—Historical King Arthur in Celtic Wales 707—Beowulf written 790s—Danish (Viking) raids 1066—The Battle of Hastings (Norman conquest)

Anglo-Saxon Period“Anglo-Saxon England was born of warfare,

remained forever a military society, and came to its end in battle.” - J.R. Lander

In a society dominated by aggression, what would you expect to be the Anglo-Saxon attitude toward family life, the role of women, art, literature, ethics

and work?

Characteristics of the Period Life was incredibly difficult Enormous upheaval and change in England Reigns of some of the most famous and infamous

kings (i.e. Alfred the Great) Time of disastrous wars, both internal and external Time of foreign invasion Time of painful reconsolidation and emergence of

England as a nation

People of England – Angles and Saxons invaders from Germany and northern Europe in 449 A.D. Celts retreated primarily into Wales Anglo-Saxon troops took over area and named it Angle-land,

or England Most of the men were deep sea fishermen and farmers Greatest Anglo-Saxon king was Alfred the Great (died 899

AD)-began unification of Anglo-Saxon England into one country (through defense against the Vikings and language)- began a running history called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle-had Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People translated into English

Centuries of Invasions The 790s brought the next round of invaders – the

Vikings – a fearsome group of seafaring marauders from the coasts of Denmark.

The Vikings looted, killed, and burned down entire villages.

In the South, the Danes finally met Alfred the Great, who lead the unified England to destroy the Vikings, and the under his rule the land began to flourish.

Centuries of Invasions (cont’d) In 1042, a descendant of Alfred the Great took the

throne, Edward the Confessor. He continued Alfred’s battle against the Vikings until his death.

The last successful invasion of the island of Britain came in 1066 and was known as the Norman Conquest where William the Conqueror finally drove out the last of the Vikings and was crowned the King of England.

The Norman Conquest ended Anglo-Saxon dominance in England – a new class of privileged Normans took their place.

Anglo-Saxon Culture - Life dominated by warfare main responsibilities of leader were protection and maintaining law

and order Most time spent in the Mead Hall (bars) success (material and fame) was achieved through loyalty to leader

and prowess in battle Literature was a way to escape reality or to give a lord/thane

immortality Thanes (men who fought for a king or lord) Believed in COMITATUS—allegiance between a lord and thane;

code of honor The lord leads his thanes and provides for them Thanes never outshine their lord in battle Thanes never desert their lord during battle

Anglo Saxon Civilization Common language Shared a heroic ideal; set of traditional heroes Admired men of outstanding courage Loyalty to leader and tribe Fierce personal valor Rulers generous to those who remained loyal Shortness of life & passing of all things in the world

Anglo-Saxon Religion Like all cultures, that of the Anglo-Saxons changed

over time. The early invaders were wanderers whose lives were bleak, violent, and short.

Strong Pagan religion was marked by a strong belief in wyrd, or fate.

Their belief offered little hope so Christianity opened up a bright new possibility …

Christianity First Christian missionaries (thought to be Roman)

arrived in Britain around 300 A.D. Most important missionary was St. Augustine who

arrived in 597 A.D. Founded cathedral of Canterbury and became the first

Archbishop of Canterbury Even though Christianity spread rapidly through

England, people retained many Pagan customs and beliefs and remained this way for many years

Monasteries became centers of intellectual, literary, artistic, and social activity

Greatest of the Christian monks was Venerable Bede (c. 673-735)

Anglo-Saxon Literature

Was originally oral - passed in the form of epics which praised the deeds of heroic warriors and provided a measure of immortality.

Professional storytellers/poets were called scops, which held honored positions because they preserved fame; fame = life after death. They told history lessons, moral sermons, etc.

Monasteries began recording Anglo-Saxon literature in Latin and it began to evolve into Old English

Two important traditions

heroic tradition – celebrates heroes

elegiac tradition – passing of earlier, better times

The Epic of Beowulf Probably composed between 700 – 750 One of few pieces that survived – and

most famous. Priests and monks were the only ones

who could write; stories’ survival depended upon them. Most of the epics were told orally which explains the superhuman qualities.

The Epic of Beowulf (Con’t) In more than 3,000 lines, Beowulf relates the

tale of a heroic warrior who battles monsters and dragons to protect the people.

The church was not too eager to preserve literature that was Pagan in nature, so historians believe they either ignored or changed it. This may account for the mixture of Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf

The Epic of Beowulf (Con’t) The epic is generally defined: A long narrative poem on

a great and serious subject, related in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race.

The hero is a figure of great national or even cosmic importance, usually the ideal man of his culture.

The setting is vast in scope. Based on historical facts. Performing actions that often determine the fate of the

nation or group of people.

The Epic of Beowulf (Con’t) The action consists of deeds of valor or

superhuman courage (especially in battle). Supernatural forces interest themselves in the action and intervene at times.

The style of writing is elevated, even ceremonial Main characters give extended formal speeches. Use of the epic simile and metaphor. Use of kennings and stock epithets.

The Epic of Beowulf (Con’t) Kennings – a compound word, figure of speech,

substituted for the usual name of a person or thing. An example – “the Almighty’s enemy” and “sin-stained demon” are both kennings used to describe the monster Grendel.

Stock epithets are adjectives used to characterize a person, place, or thing. For example, in Beowulf God is described as “the Lord of all Life” or “the Ruler of glory”. They provide a brief summary of major characters’ most essential qualities.

Beowulf Documentary

History Channel’s Documentary on the real story of Beowulf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txa97hIYFO4