The Anglo-Saxon The Anglo-Saxon PeriodPeriod

The Birth of a Language: Old The Birth of a Language: Old EnglishEnglish

The Indo-European Family The Indo-European Family of Languagesof Languages

Originated from central Originated from central

Europe to the steppes Europe to the steppes

of southern Russiaof southern Russia Indian, Iranian, Armenian, Hellenic, Indian, Iranian, Armenian, Hellenic,

Albanian, Italic, Balto-Slavic, Albanian, Italic, Balto-Slavic, Germanic, Celtic, Hittite, & TocharianGermanic, Celtic, Hittite, & Tocharian

We will focus on the Celtic, Italic, and We will focus on the Celtic, Italic, and Germanic languagesGermanic languages

Britain’s First LanguageBritain’s First Language Archeological records indicate that Archeological records indicate that

humans may have inhabited England humans may have inhabited England (hereby referred to as ‘the island’) (hereby referred to as ‘the island’) anywhere between 50,000 and 250,000 anywhere between 50,000 and 250,000 years ago.years ago.

The language that we are studying has The language that we are studying has had a history of only 1,500 years.had a history of only 1,500 years.

While historians have discovered that no While historians have discovered that no civilization has gone without a language, civilization has gone without a language, any trace of these have been lost to any trace of these have been lost to time.time.

CelticCeltic The 1The 1stst language on the island was that of the language on the island was that of the

Celtic peoples.Celtic peoples. Celtic is divided into two dialects: Gaelic and Celtic is divided into two dialects: Gaelic and

Goidelic.Goidelic. It is not known for sure how this culture made it It is not known for sure how this culture made it

to the islandto the island Both dialects have contributed very little (about Both dialects have contributed very little (about

50 words; mostly place-names and loanwords)50 words; mostly place-names and loanwords) The Celtic language contains a branch witch is The Celtic language contains a branch witch is

called the Brythonic branch. The people called called the Brythonic branch. The people called themselves Brythons; this is where we get the themselves Brythons; this is where we get the terms Britain and British. terms Britain and British.

Today both dialects are quickly dying out Today both dialects are quickly dying out

The Romans on the The Romans on the IslandIsland

The Romans first attempted conquest of the island in The Romans first attempted conquest of the island in 55 B.C. initiated by Julius Caesar.55 B.C. initiated by Julius Caesar.

The Roman invasion was miscalculated and The Roman invasion was miscalculated and subsequently was not completed until 43 A.D, by the subsequently was not completed until 43 A.D, by the Emperor Claudius..Emperor Claudius..

With the Romans came their language (Latin), culture, With the Romans came their language (Latin), culture, and architecture.and architecture.

The Romans occupied the island until about 410 A.D. The Romans occupied the island until about 410 A.D. in an area extending from the southern shores of the in an area extending from the southern shores of the island to the northern boundary at Hadrian’s Wall.island to the northern boundary at Hadrian’s Wall.

The Roman military presence protected the Celtic The Roman military presence protected the Celtic people from outside invasion.people from outside invasion.

When the Romans had left, only about 5-10 words had When the Romans had left, only about 5-10 words had entered the native language. The most significant entered the native language. The most significant remnant of the settlement was the architecture and remnant of the settlement was the architecture and the road system.the road system.

The Germanic InvasionsThe Germanic Invasions Several tribal groups speaking dialects of the Proto-Several tribal groups speaking dialects of the Proto-

Germanic tongue lived on the western borders of Germanic tongue lived on the western borders of mainland Europe. mainland Europe.

The tribes that invaded were the Angles, the Frisians, The tribes that invaded were the Angles, the Frisians, the Saxons, and the Jutes.the Saxons, and the Jutes.

These tribes began their invasion in 449. Due to the These tribes began their invasion in 449. Due to the lack of military presence, coupled with the Celtic lack of military presence, coupled with the Celtic people not having had to defend themselves from people not having had to defend themselves from invasion in over 400 years, the Germanic invasion was invasion in over 400 years, the Germanic invasion was swift and effective.swift and effective.

While the invaders were generally referred to as While the invaders were generally referred to as Saxons, Saxones, Saxons, Saxones, andand Saxonia Saxonia by the Celts, the by the Celts, the language of the Angles was consistently referred to as language of the Angles was consistently referred to as EngliscEnglisc, from where we get English., from where we get English.

Through intensive invasion, trade, and commerce, the Through intensive invasion, trade, and commerce, the impact of this language was widespread and profound.impact of this language was widespread and profound.

The Germanic InvasionsThe Germanic Invasions

Effects of the Germanic Effects of the Germanic InvasionInvasion

Celtic people driven to the west, Celtic people driven to the west, Wales, and to the north, Scotland.Wales, and to the north, Scotland.

Germanic tongue gains dominance.Germanic tongue gains dominance. Matriarchal society replaced by Matriarchal society replaced by

patriarchal.patriarchal.

The 2The 2ndnd Latin Influence Latin Influence

The Christianization of the island began in 597 The Christianization of the island began in 597 by St. Augustine, commissioned by the later by St. Augustine, commissioned by the later Pope Gregory the Great.Pope Gregory the Great.

Latin was the language of the church (Papal Latin was the language of the church (Papal Language)Language)

Added around 450 wordsAdded around 450 words Hierarchy of language:Hierarchy of language:

Latin spoken in the church, the court, and official dutiesLatin spoken in the church, the court, and official duties O.E. spoken by the serfs (lower classes/the common man)O.E. spoken by the serfs (lower classes/the common man)

Monasteries served as hubs of education and Monasteries served as hubs of education and learnedness – time period source of printlearnedness – time period source of print

Anglo-Saxon HeptarchyAnglo-Saxon Heptarchyc. 650c. 650

Heptarchy:(from Greek)Hepta- = seven

-Archy = rule or government

The Language of BeowulfThe Language of Beowulf

First Viking InvasionsFirst Viking Invasions

Viking (also labeled Norse, later Viking (also labeled Norse, later Danish) invasions begin in 787.Danish) invasions begin in 787. Plunder and sack only. No settlement.Plunder and sack only. No settlement. Mainly along NE coastMainly along NE coast Attacked monasteries; more wealth Attacked monasteries; more wealth

with less defensewith less defense 787-850787-850

Second Wave of Viking Second Wave of Viking InvasionsInvasions

Second wave begins c. 850Second wave begins c. 850 Massive waves to conquer and settleMassive waves to conquer and settle Reason: Greener lands and more Reason: Greener lands and more

favorable climatefavorable climate Hit NW and NE coastsHit NW and NE coasts 750-878750-878

Some of the Viking Some of the Viking RoutesRoutes

King Alfred the Great and King Alfred the Great and DanelawDanelaw

Viking raids and settlement force Viking raids and settlement force remaining Anglo-Saxons into Somerset remaining Anglo-Saxons into Somerset region (SW area/West Wales) region (SW area/West Wales)

King Alfred (of the West Saxons) King Alfred (of the West Saxons) gathers a large army, successfully gathers a large army, successfully attacks, and stops the Viking advance.attacks, and stops the Viking advance.

Alfred signs Treaty of Wedmore with Alfred signs Treaty of Wedmore with Guthrum, leader of the Vikings (later Guthrum, leader of the Vikings (later king) to establish Danelawking) to establish Danelaw

King Alfred the GreatKing Alfred the Great Nearly single-handedly saved the English tongueNearly single-handedly saved the English tongue Seeing that English was the language of the common Seeing that English was the language of the common

people, decided to have certain Latin texts translated people, decided to have certain Latin texts translated in O.E.in O.E.

Champion of education and craftsmanshipChampion of education and craftsmanship Considered England’s greatest monarchConsidered England’s greatest monarch Compiled the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles beginning in 891Compiled the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles beginning in 891 Had Biblical texts translated to O.E. to break down Had Biblical texts translated to O.E. to break down

language barriers:language barriers: Latin – official language of church; however, translated Latin – official language of church; however, translated

texts allowed the everyman to read and comprehend texts allowed the everyman to read and comprehend the Biblethe Bible

DanelawDanelaw

Treaty of Wedmore signed by Alfred and Treaty of Wedmore signed by Alfred and Guthrum establishing Danelaw after the Guthrum establishing Danelaw after the Viking defeat at the Battle of Viking defeat at the Battle of Ethandune, Wessex (878)Ethandune, Wessex (878)

Divided the Island on a line from Divided the Island on a line from London to Chester giving control to the London to Chester giving control to the Danes in the NE half (Northumbria & Danes in the NE half (Northumbria & East Anglia) and the SW to the Anglo-East Anglia) and the SW to the Anglo-Saxons (Wessex, Sussex, Kent, & East Saxons (Wessex, Sussex, Kent, & East Mercia)Mercia)

Third Wave of Viking Third Wave of Viking InvasionInvasion

Viking raids soon resume, ignoring Viking raids soon resume, ignoring DanelawDanelaw

All of England under Danish rule by 1017All of England under Danish rule by 1017 Scandinavian influence adds around 900 Scandinavian influence adds around 900

wordswords Different from Latin influence Different from Latin influence

Language of the people, rather than of a papal, Language of the people, rather than of a papal, governmental, or scholarly nature (everyday life)governmental, or scholarly nature (everyday life)

Similar vocabularies allowed for a greater Similar vocabularies allowed for a greater diversity of the languagediversity of the language

1066 – The Norman 1066 – The Norman ConquestConquest

End the Old English/Anglo-End the Old English/Anglo-Saxon PeriodSaxon Period