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The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066 Introduction to the Literary Period Feature Menu Interactive Time Line Milestone: The Celts in Britain Milestone: The Roman Occupation Milestone: The Anglo-Saxon Invasion Milestone: King Alfred against the Danes Milestone: The Spread of Christianity Milestone: The Norman Invasion What Have You Learned? A Bit of Background • England is part of a relatively small country that also includes Scotland and Wales. It has been invaded and settled many times over the course of its history. Some of these invaders were the Iberians, Celts, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Normans. Each of these groups of people contributed to what one knows as England today. In turn, these people have had profound effects on us as Americans since our system of government, language, literature and culture retain links to England. The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066 Choose a link on the time line to go to a milestone. A.D. 1066 A.D. 449 Norman Anglo-Saxon Invasion Invasion 55 B.C–A.D.409 A.D.878 Roman Occupation King Alfred against the Danes 300s B.C. Celts in Britain 300 B.C. A.D. 1 A.D. 300 A.D. 600 A.D. 400–699 Spread of Christianity A.D. 900 A.D. 1200 The Celts in Britain Before and during the 4th century B.C. • Britain home to several Celtic (tall, blond warriors) tribes • Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the Brythons • Celtic religion a form of animism • Druids were Celtic priests Stonehenge The Roman Occupation 55 B.C. Hadrian’s Wall Julius Caesar invades Britain A.D. 43 Celts defeated by Claudius • Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads A.D. 409 Romans evacuate their troops • Britain left vulnerable to attack • Central government breaks down Roman ruins The Anglo-Saxon Invasion Jutes Angles Celts Saxons A.D. 449 The Anglo-Saxons push the Celts into the far west of the country. The Anglo-Saxon Invasion Anglo-Saxon Society • kinship groups led by strong warrior chief • people farmed, established local governments, produced fine craftwork • English emerged as a written language The Anglo-Saxon Invasion Page from Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Old English The Anglo-Saxon Invasion The Anglo-Saxon religion • offered no hope of an afterlife • valued earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship • was similar to Norse mythology Norse god Odin Anglo-Saxon god Day of week Wednesday Woden Thor Thunor Thursday The Anglo-Saxon Invasion The Anglo-Saxon bards • called scops (pronounced “Shops” • strummed harp as they sang • sang of heroic deeds • were often called “warriors” Why were the scops important? • Anglo-Saxons did not believe in afterlife • warriors gained immortality through songs Anglo-Saxon harp Anglo-Saxon Living Conditions • The Anglo Saxons tended to live close to their animals in single-family homesteads, wooden structures that surrounded a communal court or chieftain’s hall. This cluster of dwellings was protected by a wooden stockade fence. This arrangement contributed to their sense of security and the their tendency toward community discussion and rule by consensus. • The communal hall offered a place of shelter, a place for holding council meetings, and a place for entertainment. Characteristics of Old English Poetry iamb – one unstressed and one stressed syllable. iambic tetrameter – four iambs used together to form a line of poetry. (In Xanadu did Kubla Khan) alliteration – the repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the beginnings of words. “Then Wiglaf went back, anxious” Beowulf, line 791 caesura – rhythmical pause used to divide a verse line in half. “All the earth ages and droops unto death.” “The Wanderer,” line57 kennings – descriptive compound words ring-giver (king) sea-stallions (ships) King Alfred against the Danes 8th–9th centuries Vikings called Danes invade Britain 871 Alfred of Wessex is king of England. 878 King Alfred unifies Anglo-Saxons against the Danes. England becomes a nation. King Sweyn and his Danish troops arrive in England, from a manuscript (c. 14th century) The Spread of Christianity Around A.D. 400 • Christian monks settle in Britain • Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist By A.D. 699 • British pagan religions replaced by Christianity The Norman Invasion 1066 • William of Normandy crosses the English Channel • William defeats Harold and Anglo-Saxon army • French replaces English as the language of the ruling class The Norman Invasion, Bayeux Tapestry What Have You Learned? Indicate whether the following statements refer to the time before, during, or after the Anglo-Saxon era. ______ Viking invaders terrorized England. during after ______ French became the language of the ruling class. during ______ England became unified under Alfred the Great. before ______ Animism was the primary religious belief. END