By David Adams Leeming Pages 6-17 Elements of Literature 6th Course The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066 By David Adams Leeming Pages 6-17 Elements of Literature 6th Course

Background The island of Britain was originally occupied by a people known as the Celts. (Pronounced with a K) About 50 years after the death of Christ, the Romans invaded and conquered the Celts. Approximately 400 years after the death of Christ, the Romans evacuated Britain.

During the middle of the 5th century, what is now known as Britain was attacked once again. This time the attack came from the Angles and Saxons from Germany, and the Jutes from Denmark. This invasion was difficult, and the Celts gave them a fight before retreating to the western area of Britain called Wales. (The original legend of King Arthur comes from the Celts.)

Anglo-Saxon England was divided Anglo-Saxon England was divided. The country was segregated into several groups – each group was ruled by their own king. It was Alfred, the king of Wessex or Alfred the Great (871-899) who unified the Anglo-Saxons against the invasion of the Danes. England finally began to emerge as a nation. Along with King Alfred’s leadership and the reemergence of Christianity, England began to have a common system of morality. The Anglo-Saxons now fought for their people, culture, and church.

Anglo-Saxon Life Life was centered around warfare. Law and order were the responsibility of any given leader from the family to the kingdom. Fame was found through loyalty to the leader, and success was found in gifts from the leader. Loyalty to leaders was necessary for survival.

The Anglo-Saxons lived close together in single family homes (shared with the livestock) that surrounded a communal court. These buildings were further surrounded by a wooden fence. The arrangement of homes surrounding a communal building helped foster a close relationship between the leader and his followers. This also encouraged discussion and rule by consensus.

Religion Although Christianity was the common religion, there was a strong undercurrent of the old Anglo-Saxon religion that centered around warrior gods. This religion was very similar to Scandinavian mythology. This religion focused more on ethics than mysticism. The virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship were highly valued. It was also during this time that Christian monasteries arose. These monasteries became centers of learning that preserved Latin and Greek classics as well as great works of literature such as Beowulf.

The Bards The communal hall not only offered shelter and place for council meetings, but it gave a place for storytelling. The storytellers where known as bards, and they called them scops (skaps).

The Bards Bards were highly regarded and were as respected as warriors. The art of creating poetry was just as important as fighting, hunting, or farming. Because the non-Christian Anglo-Saxon religion offered no hope of an afterlife, the bards were able to preserve fame through poetry. This gave all a collective memory, and it is why they were so respected.

Beowulf