Ancient Britain

1
Ancient Britain through the Anglo-Saxon Period
2200 BC - 1066 AD
2
Ancient Britain 2200BC-100 BC

• Myth and Legend of Britain according to Ancient
  Rome
• Tacitus Ancient Roman Historian - Wrote -
  British Isles lay at the outer edge of the
  world, almost into the whirlpools. Sailors
  blown there by a hurricane encountered
  creatures half human and half animal.
• Procipius Byzantine historian Described
  Britain as inhabited by the souls of the dead,
  ferried across the channel from the continent.
• To the ancient world, Britain was mysterious,
  far-off, shrouded in mist, and surrounded by
  stormy seas.

3
Ancient BritISH Tribes

• Gaels, Celts, Britons
• Celtic languages Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and
  Breton derived from ancient languages.
  Still spoken today.
• Ancient British Society Farmers and hunters
• Society broken into clans with tribal
  chieftains elected from a class of pagan
  priests called Druids.
• The Druids composed hymns, poems, and
  historical records studied the movements of
  stars and planets, acted as judges, and
  conducted secret rituals in places such as
  Stonehenge. (Built 2200-2100 BC).

4
Stonehenge

• Constructed 2200BC 2100BC by unknown people
• Myths regarding construction include Merlin,
  aliens, and the Devil
• Popular theories as to the use of the stones
  include sacrificial ceremonies, calendars and
  astronomy, and burial grounds.
• Other henges across Europe from the same time
  period Avebury Henge and the White Horse of
  Uffington. Horse is thought to have been carved
  in 878 AD to commemorate King Alfred's victory
  over the Danes.

5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
Ancient Britain Tribes

• Little is known about the inhabitants of
  ancient England
• Bravehart imagery wore animal skin,
  performed elaborate sacrifices, went into
  battle with no clothes on and painted with
  blue dyes according to contemporaries.
• BUT NOT SAVAGES - made precise astronomical
  observations, produced haunting myths, and
  created beautiful artifacts.

8
ROMAN INVASIONS (100-44BC)

• Various tribes invaded England until the Roman
  invasions between 100 and 44BC.
• Julius Caesar invaded twice didnt establish
  a settlement.
• Roman emperor Claudius introduced Roman law,
  culture and the Latin language to the people
  of Britain.
• Built roads, forts, etc. that stand to this day
  such as Hadrians Wall.
• Began to establish colonies that later
  developed into major cities like London and
  Colchester.

9
Hadrian's Wall

• Constructed 122 AD by the Romans to protect
  the northern border of Rome from the
  barbarians to the north.
• 150 miles long from one coast to the other
  across England.
• 25 Roman Forts still stand today along the wall
• 150 circular walks
• Time period and life along Hadrians Wall show
  in new King Arthur movie.

10
(No Transcript)
11
Coming of Anglo-Saxons

• Rome called its soldiers home in early 5th
  Century (AD) to protect it from invasion
  leaving Britain vulnerable.
• Germanic invaders from across the North Sea
  attacked over the next 100 years.
• The Jutes were first, The Angles, and the
  Saxons followed, raiding the eastern coast of
  Britain and moving to conquer most of the
  island.

12
Anglo-Saxon Culture

• warlike and sea-faring
• legends- ancient heroes and kings, faints,
  demons, sea monsters, trolls and fire-breathing
  dragons.
• Warriors celebrated in heroic lays or songs at
  feasts by a minstrel known as a gleeman or
  scop.
• Kings entertained guests in the mead halls
  named after the wine made from fermented honey.
• The scop recited verse based on the exploits of
  great warriors of the tribes past, often
  adding fanciful details about impossible feats
  of courage and strength.
• Lays performed to the harp or lyre. Songs
  provided entertainment and embodied the heroic
  ideals of the people and kept alive their
  history.

13
Anglo-Saxon Culture

• Society organized into classes
• Warriors earls or thanes
• Freemen - churls
• Slaves thralls
• King depended on earls for protection and
  Witenagemot (council of elders) for guidance.
• Justice simple and crude
• Weregild Man-money - required redress in
  payment of treasure for a wrong done. Also
  payment in-kind accepted.
• Frequent warfare due to blood feuds, invasions,
  and desire for land or treasure.

14
Anglo-Saxon Culture

• Life Harsh and unpredictable
• Death from disease, famine, battle wounds,
  storms at sea could come at any time.
• Fate depends on whims of goddess Wyrd
  (fate).
• If a person were courageous, and not fated to
  die, he might survive.
• Fate often saves an undoomed man if his
  courage is good. - from Beowulf
• Believed kings descended from gods Tiu, god
  of war, Woden, king of gods, Thor, god of
  thunder, Freia, goddess of the home. Gods
  names survive as our days of the week.

15
Coming of Christianity

• Reached Britain during Roman occupation
• Ireland converted by St. Patrick in 5th
  century some crossed over and brought it with
  them
• Whole country converted Augustine converted
  King Ethelbert of Kent, 597.
• Results establishment of monasteries
  centers of religious retreat and learning where
  scribes produced books by hand, writing on
  vellum parchment made of sheep of calf skin.
• Many were religious works. Some were copies of
  oral literature from the common people.

16
Alfred the Great

• Danes, or Vikings, invaded England during 8th
  and 9th centuries
• Plundered monasteries, burnt cities and
  towns, conquered most of the island.
• Alfred the Great, ruler of Wessex defeated the
  Danes in 878 and unified England under his
  command.
• Title Bretwalda King of Britain
• Forced Danes to accept treaty confining them to
  an area in the north.
• Turned efforts to education and learning.
  Rebuild monasteries, translate books from Latin
  to English for all to read and understand.

17
End of Anglo- Saxon Era

• Another wave of Danish invasions began in 960
  1016 a Dane crowned king.
• Control back to English, briefly, until in
  1066 a Norman Duke, William the Conqueror
  crossed English Channel and defeated Harold,
  the English King.
• Battle of Hastings ends Anglo-Saxon era.
• took place Hastings, England (south of London)
  Normans (supported by Bretons, Flemish, and
  French) vs./ Anglo-Saxons Each side 7000-8000
  strong Normans around 2000 killed and
  wounded Anglo-Saxons significantly more