1. The Anglo-Saxons CE

2. Ancient Britain Celts Native British tribe: “the Britons”
Believed in the pagan religion of Animism
Celtic language (Welsh, Scottish, and Gaelic are all forms of the Celtic language)

3. Roman Empire Invaded in 55 CE
Built roads and fortifications throughout Britain
Hadrian’s Wall
Established political order
The Romans were polytheistic, but Christianity was first introduced during this time.
Threatened by Germanic tribes and Roman Empire fell in 476 CE

4. Germanic Tribes
Angles, Saxons, Jutes invaded Britain and defeated the Romans
Originated in what is now Scandinavia and Germany/Northern Europe
Brought new language and traditions to Britain. They spoke Germanic languages.
Language not written down until the 7th Century when King Alfred created The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a running history of England
“English” begins in the 800s CE

5. The Normans- 1066 Their language was called Middle English
From France, they brought a great deal of French and Latin to the language
Moving more toward the English we speak today

6. The Bottom Line
Britain started out with the Celts and their Celtic language (300s BC).
The Romans came and introduced Latin (55 BC).
The Anglo-Saxons added their Germanic language to create Old English (AD 446). The French (through William of Normandy) added French and created Middle English (1066).

7. The Bottom Line
Things like the printing press stabilized the language and moved it toward Modern English (1600s).
Dialects arose as a result of colonization.

9. Anglo-Saxon Rule
Feudalism
Warrior Society
Culture
Religion
Literature

10. Feudalism The Hall Wealth Distribution Slavery Fortification
Religious and cultural uses
Wealth Distribution
Slavery

11. Warrior Society Status of Warriors Weaponry Glory through death
Allegiance to the King
Weaponry
Glory through death

12. Culture Largely maritime cultures Loyalty! The role of ceremony
Funeral rights
The Scops
Status
Importance

13. Religion Early Pagan beliefs
Conversion to Christianity in late 7th Century
There are possibly numerous Christian revisions to Beowulf

14. Literature Oral tradition Poetry
Beowulf
The Church’s role in preservation of literature
Only one copy of Beowulf survived the Middle Ages!

15. GALLERY WALK! What is this artifact?
At each station, answer the following in your notes:
What is this artifact?
What is interesting or intriguing about what you read/see?
What does this artifact demonstrate to us about the Anglo-Saxons and/or the English language?
What does this artifact illuminate from the notes that we took yesterday?

16. Birth of a Language
As you watch the video, record 12 facts that you learn about how the English language was formed.
You should record specific words that are reviewed as well.
This will be collected as your exit ticket today!