1. Anglo-Saxon History

2. Britain before the Anglo-Saxons
Onslaught of battle ensued during the 5th century as warriors from Denmark and Germany bombarded the British coast
Identified themselves as Angles, Saxons and Jutes.
began their pirate raids on the north sea but by 449 in was a full scale invasion.
Land was divided
Eastern, southern, and central portion were “Angles” land or England – he heavily influenced Germanic dialect developed Angl –ish (English)
These language patterns developed the culture and literature of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

3. Britain before the Invasion
Briton was inhabited by Iberians from present day Spain and Portugal (Stonehenge was built in 2000 bc)
They brought Stone Age weaponry to Britain’s shores.
Between 800 and 600 bc celts invaded the british isles.
The brythons (Britons) who settled Britain and the Gaels settled Ireland.
They were farmers and hunters
They were organized into tightly knit clans
Druid priests served as their governing force and peace keepers
Druids were known for their religious rituals and sacrifices
As well as their responsibility to reciting and memorizing of long heroic poems of their ancestry (including Ole King Cole and King Lear)

4. Roman Conquest
Romans conquered Britain in 55 BC – Julius Caesar was sophisticated and calculating
Disciplined Roman legions spread out throughout the land under the reign of Emperor Claudius
Formed camps that grew into towns
Constructed roads through the woodland wilderness
Brought with them skilled art of warfare however didn’t teach the Britons about self-defense
Their lasted for over 300 years
Romans left Britain to defend Rome in 407
Britons fell easy prey to new invaders

5. Anglo-Saxon Conquest
The Angles and Saxons were ferocious but for a purpose – they sought and won territory
They had highly organized tribal units which were ruled by a chosen king a witan or council of elders
Earls were a hereditary class of warlords
Second class were freemen – allowed to own land and engage in commerce
these included thanes who were granted status as a reward for military service
Churls or serfs were bonded servants who worked the land in return for military protection

6. Anglo-Saxon beliefs
Over time the tribes intermingled and produced a new language Old English
6th century pagan beliefs had a very grim view in life – encompassed the realm of
Scotland, Northumbria, Ireland, Danelaw, Wales, Mercia, and Wessex
Believed their lives were in the hands of fate – with ever present danger of accidental death or death by warfare
This differed greatly from Christian faith in the freedom to choose your own path.
Worshipped ancient pagan gods that abandoned with the coming of Christianity but still find evidence of them today:
Tin: the god of war and sky = Tuesday
Woden: chief of the Gods = Wednesday
Fria: Woden’s wife and goddess of home = Friday

7. Transition fleeing of the Celts
Afraid of the Anglo-Saxons, the Britons retreated to the cliffs of their island – Cornwall on the southwestern shore, hilly western region now known as Wales and to the north, modern day Ireland
The formed splinter groups named Scots (from Scotia the Roman word for Ireland)
All the areas they spoke celtic languages – Cornish, Welsh, and Irish and Scottish Gaelic – all but Cornish are still spoken commonly today.

8. Enter the Christians
4th century the Romans accepted Christianity and introduced it to Britain, which despite Anglo-Saxon invasion lived on in Wales and with the Celts.
The strength of the faith was carried on by St. Patrick into Ireland were it spread by his legendary activities.
It was a time of great Barbarism – after the Romans fell to the tribes in 476 ad Celtic Christians were left to continue on its own – flourishing and strengthening the church.
In 563 with the help of the soldier and abbot, Columba, and Irish monks Christianity moved its way across the Britain winning the acceptance of the Scots as well as many Angles and Saxons – establishing monasteries throughout the North.

9. Roman church
597 ad sent St. Augustine throughout England and converted King Elthelbert of Kent to Christianity – and created the monastery at Canterbury (aka “Tales”).
In turn converted his subjects to Christianity
By 650 most of England was Christian in name as well as fact.
It softened the ferocity of the Anglo-Saxon civilization
Warlords no longer thought themselves to be descendants of gods and treated their wives and children less like slaves
The church promoted peace and calling on a higher power to unify the English people

10. Christianity and Literature
Christianity brought about education and written literature – Canterbury and York
Monks worked as scribes recording and duplicating manuscripts in Latin – elaborately decorated in gold and silver
Venerable Bede often referred to as “father of English History ( ) – was a master of history most known for his A History of the English Church and People – which offers the clearest account of Anglo-Saxon times.
Although Christianity did temper civilization it did not destroy the barbarian spirit which is depicted in the classic tale of Beowulf –
Anglo-Saxon warriors fighting supernatural beasts for the good of all humanity

11. Origins of Anglo-Saxon Poetry
Recitation of poetry occurred on ceremonial occasions – military victory
They would gather in a hall or castle and perform the stories for entertainment
These performances usually involved professional minstrels, scops, and their assistants called gleemen – recited for hours even days.
Poems were set to a harp and followed a set formula making them easier to memorize.
A rigid pattern of word stresses gave the lyrics a sing-song effect and a mid-line pause (a caesura) along with alliteration helped create a dramatic effect to capture audiences.
Only about 30, 000 lines of tradional Anglo-Saxon verse still exist
They fall into 2 categories –
heroic poetry = which recounts the achievements of warriors involved in great battles
Elegiac poetry = sorrowful laments that mourn the death of loved ones

12. Beowulf Legend An epic – a long heroic poem –
contain a great deal of history, usually invoking a muse or goddess for inspiration
Also includes an experience of nekuia, or descent to the underworld
National epic of England because it was the first epic composed in the English language
Beowulf is renowned for his strength, courage, and dignity
Like most Anglo-Saxon poetry the author is unknown
Recited as early as the 6th century, composed in the 8th century, and written down in the eleventh century
Poem makes many references to Christian ideas and Latin classics crossed with the traditional values of a warrior society – bravery and prowess in battle

13. The End