Anglo-Saxon Period

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Anglo-Saxon Period

• 449-1066

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The Celts

• A people who came to Britain from the European
  countries
• Irish, Scottish,Welsh, Brythons (Britons or
  British)

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• They were
• farmers and hunters

Herne the Hunter, the probable source for Robin
Hood
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• Their society was organized into clans ruled by
  tribal chieftains

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• They were also head-hunters"Amongst the Celts
  the human head was venerated above all else,
  since the head was to the Celt the soul, centre
  of the emotions as well as of life itself, a
  symbol of divinity and of the powers of the
  other-world."
• Paul Jacobsthal, Early Celtic Art.

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• Celtic mythology is full of stories of the
  severed heads of heroes and the saints who carry
  their decapitated heads.

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Druids pagan priests of the Celts

• composed hymns, poems, and historical records
  studied movements of heavenly bodies served as
  judges and conducted religious ceremonies at
  places such as Stonehenge.

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Roman Period

• 54-55 BCJulius Caesarled forces defeating the
  Britons but left without establishing a colony

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• 43 ADClaudius conquered Britain introducing
  Roman law, culture, and Latin language to the
  island.

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• The Romans built roads, spas, and military
  fortifications, like Hadrians Wall

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• The Romans established a colony in Britain
  with the first capital Colchester then later in
  Londinium

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60 ADPrasutagusKing of a Celtic tribe died
Boudica (his wife) destroyed London and
Colchesterand very nearly defeated the Roman army
Statue of Boudica near Westminster Pier, with her
two daughters upon a chariot.
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• By 500-all Romans left Britain to defend Rome
  from foreign invaders

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Germanic Invasions

• Germanic invaders arrived from Scandinavia,
  crossing the North SeaThese were the Norsemen,
  better known as Vikings.

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• The historical King Arthur fought against the
  Germanic invaders.

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Three Major Germanic Tribes
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• Anglesestablished kingdoms in the northern and
  midland sections of the island
• Northumbria
• Mercia
• East Anglia

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• Jutesfrom the Jutland peninsulaconquered
  South-Western England
• The kingdom of Kent

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• Saxonsestablished kingdoms in the south
• Wessex
• Essex
• Sussex

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since the Angles were the most prominent tribe,
the country became known as Angle-land and
eventuallyEngland!
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Anglo-Saxons brought Germanic legends and
cultural aspects to Britain
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Gods

• Tuigod of war
• Wodenking of gods
• Thorgod of thunder and sky
• Freiagoddess of home
• Wyrdfatea goddess
• We get the names of the week from these gods!

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Cultural Aspects Anglo-Saxon society was
organized into a class system

• ComitatusA warrior band
• Witenagemontcouncil of elders
• ChieftainsLeaders of tribes
• Thanesclass of ruling warriors, like earls

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Cultural AspectsContinued

• Churlsfreemen, peasants
• Thrallsslaves
• Nithinga person who disgraced himself and was
  generally exiled

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Revenge
In the name of Honor, revenge was a way of life.

• Ways to satisfy a wrong
• Redress in kind (an eye for an eye)
• Wergild ("man money")payment in treasure
• Political marriages

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Warrior Code

• Undying allegiance to a lord
• Generosity of leaders
• Materialism
• Reputation/Fame
• Boasting

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• Meadwine made from fermented honey
• Mead halls places where kings would entertain
  guests, friends, and retainers

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• Scops-Minstrels or bards-Composed lays or songs
  celebrating heroic deeds
• Entertainer, Historian, Public Relations man

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Craftsmanship
Metalwork
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• Jewelry

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• Tapestries

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• Carvings

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• Elements of Anglo Saxon Poetry
• -Oral Tradition
• -Rhythmic/musical
• -Alliteration
• -Kennings
• -Caesura

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Other Aspects of Anglo Saxon Poetry

• Elegiac tone
• Mixture of paganism and Christianity
• Often deals with the winter and the sea