Anglo-Saxon Lecture Fall 2011

ENGLAND A towering circle of ancient stones, draped in the mist of centuries. The clatter of horses’ hooves, the clash of swords and spears. A tiny island whose motley tongue would become the language of the world, and laws, customs, and literature would help form Western civilization. This is England, and the story begins here.

Map of England

Anglo-Saxon Period (Dark Ages)  Difficult life Bloody conflicts, violence, barbarism  Literature Reflects reality of the time  Serious minded people Little humor in literature Stories & poems present heroic struggle  Only strong survive

Stonehenge  Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2200 BC  Three reasons Religious rituals Calendar Way to contact extra-terrestrial beings  Winter equinox & summer solstice The Sun and the gaps in structure

Stonehenge image

Roman Influence  Julius Caesar—55 BC False claim of victory  Claudius—43 AD Success  Aspects of Society Cities Roads  Trade, tax collection & troop movement Written scholarship Christianity

Roman Influence  “Romanized” Britons adoption Urban lifestyle Lived in villas Frequented public baths  Evacuation Returned to Rome in early 5 th century to help defend empire against invaders England became a target for attack without Roman protection

Anglo-Saxons  Arrived around 449 AD  King Arthur Celtic chieftain Battled invaders  Celts Believed human soul lied within the head Strong women folk legends  Basis for English culture and language

Vikings  Invaded in 790s  Seafaring marauders from Denmark and Norway  Alfred the Great Defeated the Danes Unified the English  Learning and culture flourished Anglo-Saxon Chronicle  Record of English history

Norman Conquest  Edward the Confessor 1042 ascended to the throne No children  Swore to make French cousin William, Duke of Normandy, his heir (according to William) Death in 1066  Harold named as successor William revolted

Battle of Hastings  1066 Harold dies  On Christmas Day, William is crowned king WILLIAM the CONQUEROR  Ended Anglo-Saxon dominance Noble families lost land and became peasants

Spread of Christianity  Pagan religion Wyrd—god of all controlling fate Days of the week  Tui-god of war—Tuesday  Woden-father of gods—Wednesday  Thor-god of thunder—Thursday  Comitatus Bond between a warrior and his followers

Christianity Arrival  597 AD Roman missionary Augustine arrives Establishes monastery in Canterbury Pagan traditions and beliefs still evident  Monasteries Intellectual Literary Artistic Social Activity

Record of English people  Clergy at monastery  Venerable Bede A History of the English Church and People  Vikings destroyed monasteries Wanted to rid all trace of cultural refinement

Epic Tradition  Early literature took form of epic poem Praised deeds of heroic warriors  Reality of life  Mead halls Nobles and kings gathering place  Scops—professional poets who brought poems to life

Epics as Entertainment  More than entertainment History lesson Moral sermon Pep talk Instilled cultural pride  Taught how a true hero would behave

Epic  Epic Poem that tells the story of a great hero and reflect the values of the culture from which it comes Celebrates a hero’s deeds  Historical  Kennings Descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun  Example: Noun-police kenning-law enforcer

Epic Hero Traits  Superior to other men  Larger than life actions Still human Vulnerable Capable of death  Christian characteristics Kindness Loyalty Gentleness  Strives for honor and fame

Beowulf Poet  Oldest surviving epic Chanted or sung aloud  Author anonymous Middle 7 th century to late 10 th century  Christian influence evident in poem  Character of Beowulf Hero who comes to rescue people  Surviving copy 1000 AD