1. The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066

2. I. Roman Occupation A. Rome ruled Britain for over 300 years. B. Roman forces finally left Britain around 410 A.D. C. Numerous present day towns ending in “caster” and “chester” have origins in Roman occupation.

3. II. Civilizing the Anglo-Saxons A. The Venerable Bede 1.Father of English history. 2.Wrote the earliest recorded histories of the English people. B. Alfred the Great 1.Founded the first public schools. 2.The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, first historical record of written English. 3.Managed to temporarily unify Britain by defeating the Danes.

4. III. Anglo-Saxon Lives A. The Code 1.Brought loyalty and honor to the king 2.Strict codes of conduct and behavior 3.Love of action and adventure B. Although illiterate and crude, the Anglo- Saxons had an innate intellectual curiosity and an appreciation of beauty.

5. Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t) C. Faced constant invasion 1.Vikings of Scandinavia 2.Jutes  first of the Germanic tribes 3.Saxons  Danish origin

6. Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t) D. Pagan Gods and Religion 1.Our weekdays, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday come from old Anglo-Saxon gods. 2.Saint Augustine, first archbishop of Canterbury, tries to Christianize the Anglo-Saxons.

7. IV. Anglo-Saxon Literature A. Spreading of Anglo-Saxon Tradition 1.The written literature began to evolve with the coming of the church 2.In Mead Halls songs were preformed a.For entertainment purposes b.Stories sung of heroes and heroic legend

9. Anglo-Saxon Literature (con’t) B. Anglo-Saxon poetry and poets 1.The Oral Tradition: reciting the poems, songs, and tales of a culture for large audiences 2.Most Anglo-Saxon tales and poetry is based on Pagan beliefs with Christian additions a.The Wyrd  Pagan belief of Fate determining all things.

10. Anglo-Saxon Literature (con’t) C. Three notable characteristics of Anglo- Saxon poetry 1.Alliteration 2.Kennings 3.Emphatic rhyme

11. V. Fall of the Anglo-Saxons A. 1066 1.Britain is invaded and conquered by the Normans (French) 2.William Duke of Normandy now rules all of Britain

12. Fall of the Anglo-Saxons B. King Arthur 1. may have actually been a real Celtic ruler attempting to defend the British isles 2. Becomes a god-like character in British folklore 3. Story of Arthur originates in France

13. Fall of the Anglo-Saxons C. The Dark Ages 1.Term used to describe the Anglo-Saxon period. 2.Inaccurate term since it was a time of social and political development a.New literature, history, culture, art, philosophy, etc