Video Link: 2. Describe the affect of the Norman Conquest on the English language.

Transcription

1 Old English If you have headphones, go ahead and follow the link below and answer the following questions. If you do not have headphones, proceed to the following slides and write notes on the bullet points and anything in bold. If you prefer to type your notes, that is fine, but be sure to print them and place them in your binder for binder check. Video Link: Answer the following with complete sentences. 1. When did the Norman Conquest occur? (DOK 1) 2. Describe the affect of the Norman Conquest on the English language. (DOK 2) 3. Is today s English the same as the English spoken a thousand years ago? Support your answer with details and examples. (DOK 3) Time: 10 minutes-ish

2 Old English: c. 500 CE 1066 CE Anglo-Saxon Poetry & BEOWULF

3

4 Where is England?

5 England

6 The Celts The Celts arrived from Europe around 900 BCE (Before Common Era). The Celts consisted of two tribes: the Brytons who inhabited what is now known as Britain, and the Geals who in habited what is now known as Ireland.

7 Celtic leaders were often Druids, who were priests. Druids preserved the people s myths and legends by reciting poems.

8 The Romans (55 BCE 407 CE) The Romans arrived in 55 BCE and did not leave until 407 CE, ruling for 300 years. The Romans established roads and towns in England. They also brought Christianity. They left because there was a battle occurring in Italy that needed reinforcements.

9 Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period ranges from CE. This period begins when the Romans leave England to fight a battle in Italy. With the Romans gone, England was sparsely populated and therefore easy to invade.

10 Anglo-Saxon Period When the Romans left England, it was left largely unguarded (and not particularly populated), which opened the door for three groups of Germanic invaders the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. These three tribes were easily able to row up the island nation s rivers and claim the land they wanted.

11 Anglo-Saxon Culture The Venerable Bede The Father of English History lived from CE wrote A History of the English Church and People clearest account of Anglo-Saxon culture

12 Anglo-Saxon Culture The Sea: Angles, Saxons, and Jutes were seafarers, skilled sailors, and ship builders. Home life: This is a reproduction of an Anglo-Saxon home. In addition to sailing, they maintained an agricultural society.

13 Anglo-Saxon Culture War: The Anglo- Saxons were often under attack by the Danes a.k.a the Vikings. Religion: The Anglo- Saxons arrived with their own pagan beliefs. Their word for fate was wyrd, and their religion heavily supported the concept of fate. Woden: King of the Anglo- Saxon Gods; married to Fria, goddess of home and childbirth

14 Anglo-Saxon Culture Roman cleric Augustine (St. Augustine) arrives in 597 CE, and is able to convert the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelbert to Christianity which results in the entire nation being converted to Christianity. - The English people began to unite because of the Church s teachings on peace. - The Church also brought a focus on education and writing to England. - Monks worked as scribes, recording Anglo- Saxon poems and stories.

15 Anglo-Saxon Hierarchy King expected to be generous to his loyal subjects Thanes claimed kinship to the founder of a tribe; they were expected to be loyal; they were also the warriors Everyone else (freemen ceorl ) Artisans created ornate works of art, weapons, and armor Craftsmen/women performed a variety of needed services such as beekeepers, shepherds, and cheese makers Slaves not always a part of this society; may be that not all tribes had slaves; may be that tribes sometimes had slaves and sometimes did not (ex: the U.S. had slaves in its beginning, but now it does not); slaves worked a variety of jobs

16 Anglo-Saxon Community Center or the Club or place of entertainment The Mead Hall (exterior)

17 Anglo-Saxon community center or the club or place of entertainment The Mead Hall (elaborate interior)

18 Anglo-Saxon Community Center or the Club or place of entertainment The Mead Hall (more normal or modest interior)

19 Anglo-Saxon Literature Few people read in this period. oral tradition stories performed and/or sung by a Scop (pronounced like shop ) from memory Scops poet/minstrels authors are unknown

20 Characteristic Features of Anglo-Saxon Literature Alliteration repetition of initial consonant sounds Kennings similar to metaphors Caesura pause in the middle of the line

21 Alliteration repetition of beginning consonant sounds Example: That he feels no fear as the sails unfurl. the Seafarer

22 Kenning Kenning a metaphorical phrase used to replace a concrete noun Ex: sea = whale s home Ex: battle = spear play It is like a mini-riddle.

23 Caesura a natural pause in the middle of a line of poetry. 2 part line each line is separated by a pause or break in the middle of the line; each part generally has 2 strong beats. (Put simply, it is a dramatic pause in the middle of a line.)

24 Caesura example: Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim, Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword Struck with fury despairing of life Thrust at the throat rings: The stout blade stabbed broke through the bone through her fated flesh.

25 Be Prepared to Discuss Does literature reflect society? Explain / give examples. If literature does reflect society, what types of literature would you expect to see from the Anglo-Saxon time period? Might there be any people or concepts similar to our society today? If so, what are they?