Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods 10/22/2017 Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods Mrs. Gugel English IV

Introduction Beowulf was written in the Anglo-Saxon era. Around the year 525. Literature was transmitted orally instead of in writing. Runic alphabet did exist - only used for inscriptions. Beowulf was result of storytelling

Topics of Discussion Brief history of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods. Literary History Development of language

Pre-Historical/Pre-Roman The island we know as England - occupied by a race of people called the Celts. One of the tribes was called Brythons or Britons (where we get the term Britain).

Pre-historical/Pre-Roman (con’t) Celts were pagans - believed in “animism,” from the Latin word spirits Druids were their priests Role: Go between the gods and the people

Important Results from Roman Occupation Military - Strong armed forces (“legions”) Pushed the Celts into Wales and Ireland Prevented the Vikings from raiding for several hundred years Infrastructure - Government fell apart when they left Language and Writing - Latin official language This is why English language is strongly based in Latin Religion - Mainly Christianity

Important Events in the First Anglo-Saxon Period 410-450 - Angles and Saxons invade from Baltic shores of Germany Nine Anglo-Saxon kingdoms eventually became the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy

Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy Heptarchy = Seven Kingdoms Kent Essex Sussex East Anglia Northumbria Mercia Wessex

Viking Invasions (787-1066) Were sea-faring (explorers, traders, warriors) Viking raids began around 787 Led to many cultural changes...

Important Results from Vikings Politically/Culturally - still unstable - no central government or church Linguistically - The English language is “born” and is known as Old English Lots of dialects of the language due to the seven kingdoms

Norman Invasion (1066) Battle of Hastings - the Normans (powerful Norman Frenchmen) defeated the English and started a conquest of England Two most important effects: French becomes official language of politics and power; thus, enormous influence on Old English England begins unifying under a French political system, much of which is still with us today

Beowulf Main Characters Protagonist Fights Grendel Strongest warrior around Proves to be an effective ruler King Hrothgar Danish King Terrorized by Grendel Father-figure to Beowulf Role model ruler

The Monster Grendel Demon from the bloodline of Cain Attacks Hrothgar’s warriors Evil because of what he inherited from Cain Miserable existence is result of punishment from God because of what Cain did to Abel. Lives for vengeance