The British Legacy (Intro. To Beowulf)

Settled first by ancient Iberians

Celts Tall blond warriors discovered by the Greeks in 4th century B.C. One group of Celts was called the Brythons (Britons) Brythons practiced animism

Celtic Heroes and Heroines Mythology based and inspired the Arthurian legends Celtic legends are full of strong women, unlike the Anglo-Saxon ones which followed later Full of animals, love affairs, adventures and enchantment

Romans Julius Caesar invaded in 55 B.C. & Claudius invaded 100 years later Celts were conquered by the Romans

Results of Roman Invasion Romans provided armies that prevented further invasions for several hundred years Built a network of roads and a defensive wall Christianity took hold and Celtic religion began to vanish

Anglo-Saxons Their language became the dominant one 5th century—Angles & Saxons from Germany and the Jutes from Denmark crossed the North Sea Drove out the old Britons and settled most of Briton Their language became the dominant one

Celts resist Celts tried to overpower the Anglo-Saxon invaders but eventually they were forced to retreat into Wales Traces of both their culture and language remain One famous Celtic leader was Arthur, the “once and future king”

Alfred the Great & Christianity Originally, each part of Anglo-Saxon England had its own king. King Alfred of Wessex (aka Alfred the Great) led and unified the Anglo-Saxons against the invading Danes (Vikings who crossed the sea in the 8th and 9th centuries). Christianity came via the missionaries and this linked England to Europe.

Alfred’s successors Danes and Anglo-Saxons, led by the Wessex kings in southern England, fought continuously. 1066—Battle of Hastings: William, duke of Normandy, and his army of invaders from France, defeated both Anglo-Saxons and the Danes.

The Anglo-Saxon Hall Warfare reigned and subjects had to be loyal to their leaders so people lived close to their animals in single-family homesteads near a hall. The homes surrounded the hall and it was fenced in for safety. The hall was the center of community life; most meals were served there. It was a place for storytellers to perform.

Anglo-Saxon Life Monasteries became centers for learning and writing out oral histories and works. Paganism did still exist. English, not just Catholicism’s Latin, became a written language.

Anglo-Saxon non-Christians Didn’t believe in the afterlife so poetry represented the ONLY WAY to achieve immortality.

Biggest literary events of Anglo-Saxon era Heroic deeds were written about and preserved. Monasteries were centers of learning. Preserved Latin and Greek classics as well as Beowulf.