England – The Anglo- Saxon society

The decline of the Romans – the rise of the Anglo-Saxons By the 5 th c. AD all of the last Roman legions had left the British Isles By the 5 th c. AD all of the last Roman legions had left the British Isles The Celts were subdued by the new invaders – the Anglo-Saxons The Celts were subdued by the new invaders – the Anglo-Saxons They arrived from the continent in several waves (mixture of people from north Germany, Denmark and northern Holland) They arrived from the continent in several waves (mixture of people from north Germany, Denmark and northern Holland)

After a century long series of wars, they established their kingdoms:

Who were they? Little is known about their society and beliefs Little is known about their society and beliefs Most of the historical data date back to the 8 th and 9 th c., all written down by Christian monks Most of the historical data date back to the 8 th and 9 th c., all written down by Christian monks They are described as savage wild warrior tribes They are described as savage wild warrior tribes They followed the code of bravery and loyalty They followed the code of bravery and loyalty

Society Overlord/Thane High lords LordsWarriors

Beliefs Shared beliefs with their Scandinavian cousins – the Norse tribes and the Vikings Shared beliefs with their Scandinavian cousins – the Norse tribes and the Vikings In contrast to the Vikings` belief system, they believed in female deities rather than male In contrast to the Vikings` belief system, they believed in female deities rather than male Nerthus – the supreme goddess, the Earth Mother Nerthus – the supreme goddess, the Earth Mother The second face of Nerthus is Freya (Frea, Frija) – the goddess of love, lust, friendship The second face of Nerthus is Freya (Frea, Frija) – the goddess of love, lust, friendship

She was the wife of Woden (Odin) – magic, hunting She was the wife of Woden (Odin) – magic, hunting Other important gods/goddesses: Other important gods/goddesses: - Eostre – spring, new life, beginnings (hare, eggs) - Thir – Ancestor of trolls - Thunor (Thor) – God of Thunder

Sacred animals, spirits and monsters The hare The hare The boar The boar Elves Elves Ettins (trolls) Ettins (trolls) Valkyries Valkyries

Customs and festivals The `Wild Hunt` - the travel to Valhalla The `Wild Hunt` - the travel to Valhalla Wild boar sacrifice – New Year resolution Wild boar sacrifice – New Year resolution Geola festival – midwinter festival in November, the `blood month` Geola festival – midwinter festival in November, the `blood month` Modranect – the mother`s night, today`s Christmas Modranect – the mother`s night, today`s Christmas

Festivals cont., priests, holy places Eostre – in April Eostre – in April Halig monap – September, harvest month Halig monap – September, harvest month Holy places: not built (opp. to the Celts), but: ponds, woods, rivers, glades etc. Holy places: not built (opp. to the Celts), but: ponds, woods, rivers, glades etc. Priests existed, but we know nothing about them. Only certain is the fact that they were forbidden to carry arms, weapons Priests existed, but we know nothing about them. Only certain is the fact that they were forbidden to carry arms, weapons

Establishment of the kingdoms By the end of the 6 th c. there were firmly established kingdoms with firm borders By the end of the 6 th c. there were firmly established kingdoms with firm borders The strongest kingdom had the title of the thane The strongest kingdom had the title of the thane By 686 AD Christianity was established in all kingdoms, in a modified semi-pagan manner By 686 AD Christianity was established in all kingdoms, in a modified semi-pagan manner

INTERESTING FACTS Without Roman soldiers to defend them, the Britons were in danger from raids, so some British leaders paid Anglo-Saxons to fight for them against the Picts. Without Roman soldiers to defend them, the Britons were in danger from raids, so some British leaders paid Anglo-Saxons to fight for them against the Picts. Roman sailors wore blue uniforms and Roman navy ships guarding Britain had blue sails. So they would not be mistaken for 'barbarians'. Roman sailors wore blue uniforms and Roman navy ships guarding Britain had blue sails. So they would not be mistaken for 'barbarians'. Anglo-Saxons died, their bodies were either cremated or buried in a grave. The objects buried with them tell us about their jobs (hunting, fighting and farming, making clothes). Anglo-Saxons died, their bodies were either cremated or buried in a grave. The objects buried with them tell us about their jobs (hunting, fighting and farming, making clothes).

Favourite Passtimes Feasts, with singing, storytelling, often fights Feasts, with singing, storytelling, often fights Their favourite story was the Beowulf (a heroic prince, kills the fierce man-eating monster Grendel, and Grendel's equally horrid mother) Telling riddles, some of which were written down. Here's one riddle. Telling riddles, some of which were written down. Here's one riddle. I appear on the ground like a blanket, and melt in the midday sun. Their letters were called runes. w/ magical powers Their letters were called runes. w/ magical powers Men enjoyed rough pastimes, such as wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing, watergames, and games like hockey and cricket. Men enjoyed rough pastimes, such as wrestling, weight-lifting (using heavy rocks) and horse-racing, watergames, and games like hockey and cricket.

Drinking horn Drinking horn Lyre Lyre Part of Part ofBeowulf

Silver penny Silver penny A grave stone A grave stone

An Anglo-Saxon house An Anglo-Saxon house Woman weaving, making thread Woman weaving, making thread

Pots Pots Leather shoes Leather shoes