THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

449---1066

Three Major Periods in English Literature

Old English--449-1066

Middle English--1066-1485

Modern English--1485+

Pre-Anglo-Saxon England 2000 B. C. inhabited by

Iberians Iberians invaded by Celts 55 B. C. Julius Caesar

invaded 43 A. D. became a part of

the Roman Empire under Claudius

By 300-400 A. D. Romans withdraw from Britain

449 A. D.--first Anglo-Saxon invasions

STONEHENGE

Hadrian’s Wall (Romans)

Anglo-Saxon SocietyMajor tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes

Social unit was the “clan”Each member bore responsibility for any wrongs inflicted or suffered by his kinsmen--duty to seek revenge

wergyld--system of payment or restitution (peaceful settlement based on property or money)

Anglo-Saxon society (cont.) Comitatus--feudal arrangement

whereby a youth would attach himself to a strong leader in exchange for economic and legal protection---also gold, horses, armor, etc.

Believed in a strong sense of fate, doom

wyrd--Anglo-Saxon term for fate mead hall--center of social life

A MeadHall

Anglo-SaxonBattleHelmet

Anglo-Saxon Religion Were pagan when they came to

England St. Augustine sent by Pope Gregory

to England in 597 Landed at Canterbury, which became

the center of the English Church--remains so today

Did not try to immediately stamp out old pagan religion

Anglo-Saxons easily converted

IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY

Had a civilizing effect on societyEncouraged scholarly learning--

monks could read and write--though mostly in Latin

Scholarly monks wrote down the literature, which had been communicated orally

Page from theBeowulfManuscript

The Danish (Viking) Invasions

Began near the end of the 8th century

Began periodic raids on the English coast

Ravaged Northhumbria and turned southward to Wessex

Stopped by Alfred the Great

Danish Ship

Why Alfred Was Great!!! Turned back Viking invaders, who were

threatening the complete overthrow of Anglo-Christian civilization

Promoted use of written Old English and commissioned writing of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles

Encouraged scholarly endeavor Began first public schools Instituted the royal navy

Characteristics of Anglo-Saxons

Courageous Loyal Generous Hospitable

Highly moral Fond of

boasting and fighting

Valued treasure and worldly goods

Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Anglo-Saxon poetry came from an oral tradition.

It was recited/sung by a scop, who provided entertainment in the mead hall.

Features of Old English Poetry

Extensive use of alliteration Use of caesura Four-beat line Liberal use of kennings

(Kenning—a type of metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, or thing.)

Wine-hall of warriors gleaming with gold.

caesurakenning

alliteration

hemistich