The Anglo-Saxons

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The Anglo-Saxons

• 449-1066 AD

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Historical Information
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Information on the pieces we will read in this
unit
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The Romans

• In 55 BC, the Romans led by Julius Caesar invade
  Britain.
• The Romans introduce the English to
• Cities - Christianity
• roads were built - Written scholarship
• Due to trouble in Rome, the Romans leave and the
  country is weakened

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The English

• Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisinas invade
  Britain in 449.
• This event marks the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon
  period.
• King Alfred of Wessex leads and unifies the
  people against invading Danes (Vikings).

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End of the Period

• The witan (similar to modern Parliament) crowns
  Harold king - William fights to be king
• England remains a unified nation until William,
  the Duke of Normandy, (William the Conqueror)
  conquers Britain in 1066.
• The Battle of Hastings marks the end of the
  Anglo-Saxon period.

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The Anglo-Saxons

• Skilled in agriculture and metal work
• Traded overseas
• Had an oral tradition of literature and learning.
  A preliterate society (runic alphabet)
• Tribal Society with three classes

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Anglo-Saxon Life

• People farmed, maintained local governments and
  crafted metal work.
• English language gains respect as a written
  language.

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• Tended to live close to their animals in single
  family homesteads, surrounding a communal court
  or a chieftains hall.
• Entertained by Bards or Scops (musical poets).

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Language and Literature
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Literature Language

• Literature reflected co-existence of Christian
  and pagan worldviews.
• Epic poetry is the dominant genre.
• Roman-built Monasteries become learning centers
  and preserved works passed on through the oral
  tradition.

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• Literary works usually address moral, religious
  or ethical concerns.
• Heroic acts of courage and strength.
• Strong dependence on kennings and alliteration.
• Roman alphabet replaces runic alphabet - more
  works written down.

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• Exeter book contains The Seafarer, The Wifes
  Lament and over 90 riddles

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Epic Poems

• A long narrative poem that relates the great
  deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the
  values of a particular society.
• Setting is vast.
• Supernatural events.
• Universal theme of good vs evil.

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Epic Hero

• Undertakes quests to achieve something of
  tremendous value to themselves or their society.
• Has superior physical strength.
• Is supremely ethical.
• Usually defeats some monster or being of evil.

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Beowulf

• First great work of English literature.
• Oral art
• Short for an epic - approximately 3,200 lines.
• Christian influence in the piece tells us it was
  most likely written down by a monk.
• Written in Old English, circa 700-750 AD.

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Iliad

• Written by Homer in 8th century BC
• Background information for the Odyssey.
• The Iliad takes place in the tenth and final year
  of the Trojan War.
• The Greeks attacked Troy to avenge an insult
  suffered by the king of Sparta, Menelaus. His
  wife had ran off with a young prince of Troy,
  Paris.

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Anglo-Saxon Riddles

• Intellectual exercises that were meant to
  entertain
• Usually described common object or aspect of
  common life