The Anglo- Saxons 449-1066
The United Kingdom: Small and isolated island, but still influential Invaded and conquered many times this led to a diverse and progressive culture Influence can be found today in the areas of Language Government Science Technology Progress Entertainment/culture
The Celtic Heroes and Heroines: A Magical World First people to settle on the island of Great Britain Tall, blond, and warriors Their identifies and lives were highly governed by their religion Animism: Latin word for Spirit Spirits were everywhere controlling everything Druids (priests) acted as intermediaries gods and people Satisfied the spirits with rituals and sacrifices (sometimes human) Their myths (Arthur/Queen Maeve) influenced later writers (Malory/Yeats)
The Romans: The Great Administrators Began conquering Britain in 55B.C. (Julius Caesar) Remained for over 400 years until trouble at home caused them to recall troops Left roads, walls, villas, and great public baths Missionaries began the spread of Christianity Did NOT leave a centralized government, so when they left, Britain was subject to attack because it was comprised of small tribes
The Anglo-Saxons Sweep Ashore Invaders: Angles and Saxons from Germany and Jutes from Denmark eventually settled the greater part of Britain The Anglo-Saxon Language became dominant The Celts put up strong resistance and eventually settled in Wales Arthur- the Once and Future King was a welsh chieftain Still not politically unified until Alfred the Great led the Anglo- Saxons against the Danes The reemergence of Christianity aided Alfred in unifying the tribes It provided a common faith The battle that Alfred started lasted until his ancestors and the Danes were defeated by William of Normandy (France) in 1066
Women in Anglo-Saxon Culture Women had surprisingly progressive rights in Anglo-Saxon Culture Inherited and held property and maintained control even when married Prospective husbands had to offer women a gift (morgengifu or morning-gift) Christianity offered opportunities as well: they joined religious communities becoming powerful abbesses Usually women from noble houses-they were in charge of running the monastery and nunnery Hild is a famous example she accumulated an extensive library and turned its location (Whitby) into a center for learning These rights were sharply curtailed after the Norman Conquest in 1066
Anglo-Saxon Life: The Warm Hall, the Cold World An archeological find in 1939 (Sutton Hoo in Suffolk): Ship grave with treasure and armor gave insight into Anglo-Saxon Life The find showed the people were warriors Law and order was the responsibility of the chief Fame and success were achieved by loyalty to the leader This loyalty grew out of a need to protect the group Their homes were centered around a chieftain's hall and the community was protected by a fence This contributed to a tendency toward community discussion and rule by consensus
The Anglo-Saxon Religion: Gods for Warriors Despite the growth of Christianity, Anglo-Saxon religion remained strong A dark, fantastic religion with warrior gods (much like Norse mythology) Odin/Woden- god of death, poetry, and magic Helped humans communicate with spirits and associated with burial rites Thunor/Thor- god of thunder and lightening Sign was a hammer and twisted cross (swastika) Significant figures in mythology: Dragons Protectors of treasure and personification of death the devourer Overall, religion was concerned with ethics: bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship
The Bards: Singing of Gods and Heroes The communal hall was a place for gathering and storytelling Scops (skilled storytellers) would sing of gods and heroes Creating poetry was just as important as fighting, hunting, farming, or loving Used harps Content reflected the concerns of the day: threat of war, disease, or old age The Anglo-Saxons believed that the memories of their heroes preserved in stories and song was the only way to live on after death
A Light from Ireland Isolated even more than Britain, Ireland was not invaded by the German invaders Converted to Christianity in 432 by a Romanized Briton, Patrick He was seized by Irish traders and held in bondage by a sheepherder He escaped, became a bishop, and returned to convert his former captors From 432 to 750, while Europe and England were in constant warfare, Ireland experienced a Golden Age Irish monks founded monasteries that became sanctuaries for scholars
The Christian Monasteries: The Ink Froze Hope was supplied by stories: the possibility to live on through heroic deeds Hope was also supplied by Christianity Monasteries served as centers of learning They preserved the Latin and Greek classics as well as Anglo- Saxon classics like Beowulf Monks would spend hours copying manuscripts by hand Latin remained the language of serious study until King Alfred He instituted the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history that covered the earliest days and continued till 1154 Because of his work, English stories and poetry began to be recognized as great works of literature
Key Concepts of Anglo-Saxon Society Loyalty above all else! Wyrd = Fate Sacrifice yourself for your king or leader Wergild- man s price or brother s fee Boasting- common way of introducing yourself
Review: Main Characteristics of Anglo- Saxon Culture Bravery in Battle Bards/Scops/Poets were used to elevate heroes of the tribes and were usually as important as the warrior himself Faith in God to intervene positively with fate Influences of old pagan religion Amassing a great fortune in battle Reverence for women (precursor to chivalry) Hospitality is important Truth is highly cherished Great love for personal freedom
Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry Lines do NOT rhyme Juxtaposition of the Church and the pagan world Each line has a pause (caesura) after the 2 nd beat. Each line is divided into 2 halves, each half having 2 beats Kenning: phrases that are elaborate and indirect ways of renaming nouns The Whale s Road = the sea Heavy alliteration Tendency towards didacticism or instruction
Academic Vocabulary: Define the following words in a 3-column chart in your notebook Alliteration Allusion Archetype Caesura Gielp Hyperbole Imagery Kenning Metaphor Scop Wyrd
Epic Poetry Characteristics Long Narrative Larger than life hero Embodies the values of a particular society Includes elements of myth Legend, folklore, history Has a serious tone Uses formal, grandiose language
Epic Hero Characteristics Is significant and glorified Is on a quest Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage Is ethical Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society Performs great deeds Reflects the ideals of a particular society (for Beowulf- Anglo-Saxon)