1. And a very brief history of Britain
Old English
And a very brief history of Britain

2. Who are the Britons?

3. Who are the Britons?
The insular Celtic tribe called "Brythons" who were the inhabitants of Britain until the Roman conquest in the year 43 AD.
They were a polytheistic people, though not much evidence of their religion remains
A diverse people with various tribes and chieftains.
Druidic rituals like animal and human sacrifice.
Believed that after a given number of years, the human soul passed from one body into another, called metempsychosis.

4. Roman Rule in Britain
Romans brought Christianity to Britain (institutionalized, monotheistic beliefs that countered the polytheistic communal practices of the early Celts)
Their influence did not have a lasting impact on language, as the language of the Roman Empire was not relevant to the Celtic people, who were a more rural and "primitive" people.
In short, Rome could not maintain a hold over Britain. The Roman Empire was quite vast, and it had its sights on more important ventures.

5. The Anglo-Saxons

6. Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial site helmet
The Anglo-Saxons
The Britains made a deal with the northern Germanic tribes, that in exchange for some southern land these Germanic tribes (namely the Angles and the Saxons, but the Jutes came too) to help the Britons defend themselves against the Picts and Scoti in the North.
This knowledge that the Britons were vulnerable led to invasions by some of these Germanic tribes, but evidence suggests that they were migrants as well.
These peoples then migrated in large numbers to Britain and brought with them words that would form the basis of the English Language.
These migrants were also polytheistic
Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial site helmet

7. The Vikings

8. The Vikings
Vikings began by invading East Anglia (the Anglo-Saxon territory of Britannia).
They were warriors and believed that the only way to reach Valhalla is to die in battle.
The were also a polytheistic people.
Just before the Vikings arrived, Christian Missionaries had restablished themselves in Britain. Monks, monasteries and some churches had already been established in parts of England. These establishments brought the written word and modes for transcribing.

9. Beowulf and the Rise of Old English
Beowulf was transcribed sometime between the 9th century and the twelfth century, in a "Christianized England"
It was written in an Anglo-Saxon dialect, what we now call Old English
It chronicles the heroism of the poem's protagonist, Beowulf.
Note that the poem is set in Scandinavia (where the Vikings come from). Beowulf, specifically, is from Geat, and must help defend Hrothgar from Grendel.
Beowulf is an epic hero, and an epic hero is a legendary character whose actions form the foundation for a race or people
Scholars disagree on whether Beowulf is a part of Scandinavian mythology, told with a Christian voice, or a Christian fable told with a Pagan voice.

10. c. 700–1000

11. Anglo-Saxon Literature
The Battle of Maldon, performed in Old English
Development of Anglo-Saxon Language and Literature
Much of the Anglo-Saxon literature at this time dealt with incorporating these Germanic tribes into the Brythonian culture. This is called "retrospective reworking."
Many Brythons adopted the language of these tribes because it was advantageous for them.
Is it not true that the best way to get in with the "it crowd" is to be like them?
The Anglo-Saxons held the power, and it was their customs and culture that became dominant.

12. The Wanderer translated by Sean Miller http://www. anglo-saxons
Old English
Modern English
Oft him anhaga are gebideð, metudes miltse, þeah þe he modcearig geond lagulade longe sceolde hreran mid hondum hrimcealde sæ, wadan wræclastas. Wyrd bið ful aræd!
Often the solitary one finds grace for himself, the mercy of the Lord, Although he, sorry-hearted, must for a long time move by hand along the waterways, along the ice-cold sea, tread the paths of exile. Events always go as they must!
Wyrd has been translated to mean "Events," but wyrd is more of theoretical term meaning predestined or fated. Wyrd in old Germanic means "what is to come" or "to become"