1. The Anglo-Saxon Period

2. Objectives The student will:
recognize literary forms and major literary techniques
recognize the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon period and the literary movements associated with this era

3. Read pages 2-14 and take notes using Cornell Notes format

4. How have these factors influenced the nation’s development?
Prior Knowledge
What have you learned about the climate and physical environment of Britain in social studies classes?
How have these factors influenced the nation’s development?
What types of people are likely to deal well with conditions common to the British Isles?

5. Today’s Assignment Read pages 2-14 in your literature book.
Complete Cornell Notes worksheet.
Please work quietly and independently. This should take you approximately 45 minutes.
Stopwatch

6. Warriors from Denmark and Germany, the Angles and the Saxons, attacked Britain during the 5th century
signaled the beginning of the English language
became known as “Angles’ land”
their Germanic languages developed into a new language called “Angle-ish”
this language shaped the literature of Britain

7. Britain Before the Anglo-Saxons
Britons (Brythons)
settled on the largest island, Britain
Gaels
settled on the second largest island, Ireland
were farmers and hunters
tightly knit clans
Druids- priests
settled disputes
Presided over religious rituals
Memorized and recited long, heroic poems

8. The Roman Conquest
First invaded by Roman general Julius Caesar and later by Roman emperor Claudius
Roman legions spread across the island, establishing camps, which grew into towns.
constructed a system of well-paved roads and highways
brought their skills in the art of warfare

9. The Anglo-Saxon Conquest
Tribal life:
Each tribe was ruled by a king, who was chosen by a witan, council of elders
Earls
Freeman
Churls
Thralls

10. The Anglo-Saxon Conquest
Fate
Worshipped ancient Germanic gods
Tiu: god of war and the sky
Woden: chief of the gods
Fria: Woden’s wife and goddess of the home

11. Coming of Christianity
4th century
In 563 a group of Irish monks established a Christian monastery on the island of Iona
Columba and his monks moved across northern Britain spreading their faith

12. Coming of Christianity
597- arrival of Saint Augustine
Effects of Christianity
Softened the ferocity of the warrior people
Improved the conduct of the faithful
2 Major Contributions
education
written literature

13. Christianity and Literature
established schools at Canterbury and York
In the monasteries, monks worked as scribes, recording and duplicating manuscripts, books written by hand
Latin was the language of church scholarship
Venerable Bede- “father of English history”
A History of the English Church and People

14. The First Danish Invasion
The Vikings left Scandinavia and set their sights on the British Isles
Alfred the Great
King of Wessex
Preserved the remnants of pre-Danish invasion
Encouraged a rebirth of learning and education
Translated Bede’s History

15. Anglo-Saxon Literature
Scholars believe the literature of the British Isles began with Celtic Druids

16. Anglo-Saxon Poetry scops: professional minstrels
Responsible for history, culture, values, entertainment
gleeman: their assistants
poems followed a set formula of composition
caesura: mid-line pause
alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds
The most important poem is Beowulf
Epic: long heroic poem

17. Anglo-Saxon Poetry Two great Christian poets: Caedmon & Cynewulf
Early Christian poetry is often referred to as Caedmonian verse
Before the reign of Alfred the Great, all important prose was composed in Latin
Monks regarded the vernacular, the language of the common people, as a vulgar tongue
After the Normans occupied England, they transformed Old English into Middle English.

18. Closing Activity
On an index card, list 3 important facts you learned about the early cultures and their influence on the literature and culture of Britain?