Anglo-SaxonsLife

Goals for Lesson 1Goals for Lesson 1

In this lesson, we In this lesson, we will learn about will learn about the historical and the historical and social forces that social forces that shaped the shaped the Anglo-Saxon era.Anglo-Saxon era.

We will learn about the everyday life of the Anglo-Saxons.

Lord/KingLord/KingRead pages 8-16 of Holt, Rinehart, Read pages 8-16 of Holt, Rinehart, and Winston’s and Winston’s Literature of BritainLiterature of Britain before you continue.before you continue.

I will point out some key highlights I will point out some key highlights that you will need to remember for that you will need to remember for later.later.

The Angles and SaxonsThe Angles and SaxonsComing across the North Sea, the Coming across the North Sea, the Angles and Saxons came from Angles and Saxons came from Germany to invade Britain. Germany to invade Britain. The language of the Angles The language of the Angles became the dominant, and became the dominant, and predecessor, language of modern predecessor, language of modern English. English. The resident Celtics resisted the The resident Celtics resisted the invasion. One Celtic leader was King invasion. One Celtic leader was King Arthur.Arthur.

The Age of WarriorsThe Age of WarriorsAnglo-Saxon society developed Anglo-Saxon society developed from the kinship of groups. Their from the kinship of groups. Their leader was known as a lord or king. leader was known as a lord or king. Loyalty to the lord was the most Loyalty to the lord was the most important trait of a warrior. important trait of a warrior. Lords and their warriors were Lords and their warriors were bound to each other until death. bound to each other until death. If the lord were killed, the warriors If the lord were killed, the warriors were bound to revenge his death.were bound to revenge his death.

Rewards of LoyaltyRewards of LoyaltyThe warriors, called thanes and The warriors, called thanes and ceorls, were rewarded for their ceorls, were rewarded for their bravery and loyalty with treasures bravery and loyalty with treasures (guerdon) of jewelry, weapons, and (guerdon) of jewelry, weapons, and land. This loyalty also provided a land. This loyalty also provided a close-knit community living in small close-knit community living in small villages. The lord/king had his own villages. The lord/king had his own responsibilities. Click on the link to . Click on the link to see.see.

It’s a Woman’s LifeIt’s a Woman’s Life

With all the fighting, you would think With all the fighting, you would think that women would have no place. Women that women would have no place. Women actually held personal property and land, actually held personal property and land, even after marriage.even after marriage.Women joined religious communities.Women joined religious communities.Women also had chores of gardening, Women also had chores of gardening, food preparation, and clothing food preparation, and clothing manufacturing. What did they eat?manufacturing. What did they eat?

The VillageThe Village

The strong sense of loyalty The strong sense of loyalty encouraged village life. To read encouraged village life. To read more about the village, click on more about the village, click on the illustrations and read what is the illustrations and read what is written.written.

Religious LifeReligious LifeMany of the Anglo-Saxon gods Many of the Anglo-Saxon gods were brought from Germany and were brought from Germany and closely connected to Scandinavian closely connected to Scandinavian mythology. mythology. The most important was Woden, The most important was Woden, god of poetry and death. god of poetry and death. Another important god was Another important god was Thunor, god of thunder and Thunor, god of thunder and lightning. lightning. One important figure was the One important figure was the dragon who protected treasure.dragon who protected treasure.

Enter ChristianityEnter Christianity

Christianity Christianity entered the Anglo-entered the Anglo-Saxon world with Saxon world with missionaries. missionaries. Early missionaries Early missionaries arrived by 432 AD. arrived by 432 AD. King Ethelbert was King Ethelbert was converted to converted to Christianity in 597 Christianity in 597 AD.AD.

One interesting One interesting note about the note about the religious beliefs of religious beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons is the Anglo-Saxons is that their religion that their religion was whatever the was whatever the king said it was.king said it was.

The BardThe Bard

The communal hall The communal hall (called a meadhall) (called a meadhall) was the place for was the place for meals, security, meals, security, meetings, and meetings, and entertainment. entertainment. The bard, or scop, The bard, or scop, had the job of had the job of musician/storytellermusician/storyteller

The scop was held The scop was held in high esteem. His in high esteem. His job was as important job was as important as the warriors. as the warriors. How did they do it? How did they do it? What musical What musical instruments did they instruments did they use? use? Click on this link to Click on this link to find out.find out.

What else did they do for fun?What else did they do for fun?The Anglo-Saxons had many The Anglo-Saxons had many pastimes. pastimes. Some of their games and sports are Some of their games and sports are similar to our own today. similar to our own today. Click on the links above. Read what Click on the links above. Read what the site says about these two topics. the site says about these two topics. Make a note about the ones that are Make a note about the ones that are similar to modern games and sports. similar to modern games and sports. Click on this link to go to the Click on this link to go to the worksheet.worksheet.