The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period449-1066449-1066

I.I. Roman Occupation Roman Occupation

A.A. Rome ruled Britain for over Rome ruled Britain for over 300 years300 years..

B.B. Roman forces finally left Roman forces finally left Britain around Britain around 410 A.D.410 A.D.

C.C. Numerous present day towns Numerous present day towns ending in “ending in “castercaster” and ” and ““chesterchester” have origins in ” have origins in Roman occupation.Roman occupation.

II.II. Civilizing the Anglo-Saxons Civilizing the Anglo-Saxons

A.A. The Venerable BedeThe Venerable Bede

1.1. Father of English history.Father of English history.

2.2. Wrote the earliest recorded Wrote the earliest recorded histories of the English people.histories of the English people.

B.B. Alfred the GreatAlfred the Great

1.1. Founded the first Founded the first public schoolspublic schools..

2.2. The Anglo-Saxon ChronicleThe Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, first , first historical record of written English.historical record of written English.

3.3. Managed to temporarily unify Managed to temporarily unify Britain by defeating the Danes.Britain by defeating the Danes.

III.III. Anglo-Saxon Lives Anglo-Saxon Lives

A.A. The CodeThe Code1.1. Brought loyalty and honor to the kingBrought loyalty and honor to the king

2.2. Strict codes of conduct and behaviorStrict codes of conduct and behavior

3.3. Love of action and adventureLove of action and adventure

B.B. Although illiterate and crude, the Although illiterate and crude, the Anglo-Saxons had an innate Anglo-Saxons had an innate intellectual curiosity intellectual curiosity and an appreciation of beauty.and an appreciation of beauty.

Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t)Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t)

C.C. Faced constant Faced constant invasioninvasion

1.1. Vikings of Vikings of ScandinaviaScandinavia

2.2. JutesJutes first of first of the Germanic the Germanic tribestribes

3.3. SaxonsSaxons Danish originDanish origin

Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t)Anglo-Saxon Lives (con’t)

D.D. Pagan Gods and Pagan Gods and ReligionReligion

1.1. Our weekdays, Our weekdays, TuesdayTuesday, , WednesdayWednesday, , ThursdayThursday, and , and FridayFriday come from come from old Anglo-Saxon old Anglo-Saxon gods.gods.

2.2. Saint AugustineSaint Augustine, , first archbishop of first archbishop of Canterbury, tries to Canterbury, tries to Christianize the Christianize the Anglo-Saxons.Anglo-Saxons.

IV. IV. Anglo-Saxon LiteratureAnglo-Saxon Literature

A.A. Spreading of Anglo-Saxon TraditionSpreading of Anglo-Saxon Tradition

1.1. The written literature began to The written literature began to evolve with the coming of the evolve with the coming of the churchchurch

2.2. In Mead Halls songs were In Mead Halls songs were preformedpreformed

a.a.For entertainment purposesFor entertainment purposes

b.b.Stories sung of heroes and Stories sung of heroes and heroic legendheroic legend

Anglo-Saxon Literature Anglo-Saxon Literature (con’t)(con’t)

B.B. Anglo-Saxon poetry and poetsAnglo-Saxon poetry and poets1.1. The Oral TraditionThe Oral Tradition: reciting the : reciting the

poems, songs, and tales of a poems, songs, and tales of a culture for large audiencesculture for large audiences

2.2. Most Anglo-Saxon tales and poetry Most Anglo-Saxon tales and poetry is based on is based on PaganPagan beliefs with beliefs with ChristianChristian additions additions

a.a. The WyrdThe Wyrd Pagan belief of Fate Pagan belief of Fate determining all things.determining all things.

Anglo-Saxon Literature Anglo-Saxon Literature (con’t)(con’t)

C.C. Three notable characteristics of Three notable characteristics of Anglo-Saxon poetryAnglo-Saxon poetry

1.1. AlliterationAlliteration

2.2. KenningsKennings

3.3. Emphatic rhymeEmphatic rhyme

V.V. Fall of the Anglo-SaxonsFall of the Anglo-Saxons

A.A. 10661066

1.1.Britain is invaded and Britain is invaded and conquered by the conquered by the Normans Normans (French)(French)

2.2.William Duke of NormandyWilliam Duke of Normandy now rules all of Britainnow rules all of Britain

Fall of the Anglo-SaxonsFall of the Anglo-Saxons

B.B. King ArthurKing Arthur

1. may have actually 1. may have actually been a real Celtic been a real Celtic ruler attempting to ruler attempting to defend the British defend the British islesisles

2.2. Becomes a god-like Becomes a god-like character in British character in British folklorefolklore

3.3. Story of Arthur Story of Arthur originates in Franceoriginates in France

Fall of the Anglo-SaxonsFall of the Anglo-Saxons

C.C. The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages

1.1. Term used to describe the Anglo-Term used to describe the Anglo-Saxon period.Saxon period.

2.2. Inaccurate term since it was a time Inaccurate term since it was a time of social and political developmentof social and political developmenta.a. New literature, history, culture, art, New literature, history, culture, art,

philosophy, etcphilosophy, etc