Anglo Saxon Lecture

450-1066

Anglo Saxon England (449-1066)

I. Early Inhabitants (Henge people, Celts/Britons)II. Roman DominanceIII. The Anglo-Saxons

a. Invasion (449 A.D.)b. Civilization

1. Characteristics of the people2. Worship of pagan gods3. Conversion to Christianity (597 A.D.)4. Language5. Literature

a. Beowulf and epicb. Elegiac lyricsc. Riddlesd. Bedee. Caedmonf. Danish Invasion (859 A.D.)

IV. King Alfred the Great (849-901)

The story of England is a

story of a series of

invasions and a cultural

revolution.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge: Origin

Religious Rituals?

Calendar?

Celtic Tribes

•Celt/Briton

•Chieftain

Religion

Druids

Human Sacrifice

Cannibals

Celts Cont.

Settled agriculture Used money Political unity Superior caste of learned men

and woman

Roman Invasion

Emperor Claudius

Roman Invasion Cont.

Tacitus Queen Boudicca

Roman Invasion & Civilization

Built roads, elegant buildings, & baths

Brought Christianity and coins to Celts

Roman Civilization

Roman baths in Bath, England

Hadrian's Wall

Defense against the invading Picts

Fall of Roman Empire

410 AD Romans withdraw

Celts vulnerable to attack

Vortigern

Anglo Saxons

Legend of King Arthur

Nennius

Celtic

“dux bellorum”

Round Table Located?

Legend Reality?

Anglo Saxon People

Angle-land Kinship/

Lordship

Comitatus Fame and

glory in battle

Materialism

Sutton Hoo Burial Ship

Sutton Hoo Helmet

Terry Herbert – Treasure Hunter

Saxon Gold Hoard

1,500 pieces

$5.5 million in gold!

Holds monetary and historic value

"Rise up O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee," reads the Latin inscription on this strip of gold

More Treasures…

Treasures

Treasures Cont.

Materialism Cont.

From Pagan to Christian

Pagan virtues: courage in battle; fame Life moved from “battle to feast and

feast to battle” polytheistic

Conversion to Christianity Augustine Monasteries More peaceful and unified

Old English

In off the moors,   down through the mist bandsGod-cursed Grendel   came greedily loping.

The bane of the race of men   roamed forth,

hunting for a prey   in the high hall.Under the cloud-murk   he moved towards it until it shone above him,   a sheer keepof fortified gold.

Beowulf in Old English

                                                   

                        

He saw many men   in the mansion, sleeping, a ranked company   of kinsmen and warriors quartered together.   And his glee was demonic,picturing the mayhem:   before morning he would rip life from limb   and devour them, feed on their flesh;   but his fate that night was due to change,   his days of ravening had come to an end.

Epic Poem: Beowulf

Anglo Saxon Literature

Epic

Elegiac lyrics

Scops

Riddles

An Anglo Saxon RiddleOn earth this warrior is strangely born

Of two dumb creatures, drawn gleaming Into the world, bright and useful to men. It is tended, kept, covered by women--

Strong and savage, it serves well, A gentle slave to firm masters

Who mind its measure and feed it fairly With a careful hand. To these it brings Warm blessings; to those who let it run

Wild it brings a grim reward.

An Anglo Saxon RiddleI saw a silvery creature scurrying

Home, as lovely and light as heavenItself, running with stolen treasure

Between its horns. It hoped, by deceitAnd daring and art, to set an arbor There in that soaring castle. Then,

A shining creature, known to everyoneOn earth, climbed the mountains and cliffs,

Rescued his prize, and drove the wilyImposter back to darkness. It fled

To the west, swearing revenge. The morningDust scattered away, dew

Fell, and the night was gone. And no oneKnew where the soft-footed thief had vanished.

Christian Writers (Scribes)

Venerable Bede

History of the English Church and People

The Father of English History

King Alfred The Great

Alfred the Great Cont.

Translated literature Promoted learning Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1066 Battle of Hastings

“When Angles and Saxons came hither from the East, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war – smiths overcame the Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home.” from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle