The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 A.D.. A Brief History Original inhabitants of what is known as...
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Transcript of The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066 A.D.. A Brief History Original inhabitants of what is known as...
A Brief History• Original inhabitants of what is
known as England were the Celts, the original Britons
• Pagan• Much of their history is unknown
until later
The Roman Rule...• Lasted for
nearly 300 years
• During this time, commerce flourished
• Civilization advanced
• Roman rule crumbled in the fourth and fifth centuries
The Romans Built Hadrian’s Wall
• A great fortification running across the island near the Scottish border
• Built circa 123 A.D. for protection from invading Picts and Scots
• Nearly 70 miles long
The Germanic Invasions
• According to history, in 449 the first band of people from the North German plain crossed the North Sea and settled in what is now known as Kent.
• These people were the Jutes from Jutland.
The Germanic Invasion...
• After the first wave of Jutes came the Angles.
• Present day England derives its name from the name “Angle-Land.”
• Known as the “hook-men.”
The Germanic Invasions
• Following the Jutes and the Angles, the next invaders were the Saxons.
• Known as the “swords-men.”
What Were the Anglo-Saxons Like?
• Hearty• Athletic• Wandering• Fierce in personal valor• Pagan• Sea-Faring• Loyal to leader and tribe• Ruled by fate called “wyrd”
Even now, our weekdays are named after their ancient Norse gods...
• Wednesday for the warlike Woden
Anglo-Saxon Lives• Divided into tribes and kingdoms• Each tribe led by a king or chieftain• Followers of these kings were called thanes• After hunt and battles, they would gather in
a mead hall• Entertained by a scop and gleeman• Governed themselves democratically• Decisions made in meeting called
folkmoots- the term now applies a moot point (a question that can be argued)
As the Anglo-Saxons had no written
language, they relied on the following as a
means of literary preservation...
The Oral Tradition• Defined as a body of songs, stories, and poems
preserved by being passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.
• Often sung by a scop- a traveling storyteller often accompanied by a harp.
Elements of Anglo-Saxon Literature
• Composed in Old English• Each line is divided by a caesura
(a natural pause or break in a line of poetry, is essential for rhythm)
• Incorporates kennings (a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun)
• Usually includes a blend of pagan and Christian elements
Epic Poem
A long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.
Folk EpicsHave no certain authorship and arise,
usually through storytelling, from the collective experiences of a people.
Example: Beowulf
Characteristics of Epics• begins in “medias res” (in the middle
of things)• begins with an invocation to a Muse• content is concerned with the fate of a
nation or a people• set on a large scale, ranging around
the world
• the intervention of supernatural figures
• extended similes• long catalogues (lists)• extensive battle scenes• stock episodes
Epic Boast
A self-admiring speech given by the hero of an epic for the purpose of glorifying himself.
Archetype
An original pattern or model from which all other things of the same kind are made
Example: The film was one of the archetypes of the American Western.
ComitausAn agreement between a lord
and his thanes in which the thanes swear to protect the lord, while the lord provides protection, wealth, and weapons
KenningThe metaphoric and often
creative compound re-naming of an ordinary object
Examples: bird’s nest (hair)
sea road (ocean)
Epithet
A word or phrase, often disparaging or abusive, which expresses a character trait of someone or something
VocationA profession that is often
seen as a calling by those who carry it out
Examples: minister, teacher, fireman, policeman
Since the Anglo-Saxon people had no form of written language in the beginning, they relied on oral tradition to pass down stories and songs.
MotifA theme, character type, image,
metaphor, or other verbal element that recurs throughout a single work of literature or occurs in a number of different works over a period of time
Beowulf
• The oldest surviving manuscript in the English language
• Originally written in Old English• An epic poem• Composed by unknown source circa 750 A.D.• The national epic poem of England
Beowulf• A complete epic poem- a long narrative poem
about the adventures of a god or hero.• Beowulf is a form of a folk epic.• Originated as a pagan saga.• Most likely written down by a Christian, hence the
elements of Christianity.• Celebrates the hero's fearless and bloody
struggles against monsters and extols courage, honor, and loyalty as the chief virtues in a world of brutal force.
Beowulf• A high ranked
nobleman from Geatland (southern Switzerland)
• Nephew of Hygelac• Typifies Anglo-
Saxon ideals of conduct
• Fights the notorious Grendel
Hrothgar
• King of the Danes• His mead hall, Heorot, is
terrorized by Grendel• Regards Beowulf as being sent
by God
Grendel’s Mother• Resides with her son in a cave
beneath a lake• Not as fierce as Grendel but still
a formidable adversary