Anglo-Saxon NotesThe Age of WarriorsEnglish 12 – Mrs. Williams

Major Characteristics of the Age:• Copy these carefully and ask questions if you are unsure - you will need to be able to identify these in examples from the literature!

Major Characeristics of the Age• Anglo-Saxon society developed from

kinship groups led by a strong chief.

Major Characteristics of the Age:• The people also farmed, maintained

local governments, and created fine crafts, especially metalwork.

Major Characteristics of the Age:• Christianity eventually replaced the

old warrior religion (Celtic animism), linking England to Continental Europe.

Major Characteristics of the Age:• Monasteries brought learning and

literacy and preserved works from the older oral tradition.

Major Characteristics of the Age:• English – not just the Church’s Latin –

gained respects as a written language. (Old English)

IMP CAES FL CONSTANTINO MAXIMOP F AVGVSTO S P Q R

QVOD INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTISMAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVOIAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI

EIVSFACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTISREMPVBLICAM VLTVS EST ARMIS

ARCVM TRIVMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT

Britian: A History of Invasions• Iberians – native peoples – came

across the Iberian peninsula.

Britian: A History of Invasions• Celts (pronounced kelt) – brought a strong

warrior mythology and the religion of animism from the Latin word for spirit. •Druids, Celtic priests, believed that spirits or gods controlled aspects of existence and served as intermediaries between humans and spirits. •Druids lead ritual dances and possibly human sacrifice at locations like Stonehenge in Southern England.•Celtic stories tell of strong warriors and strong women. • A belief in MAGIC is an important aspect of this society – celtic myths involve enchanted lands where magic and imagination rule.

Britian: A History of Invasions• Romans – begins with an invasion

led by Julius Caesar in 55 B.C. • The Romans defeat the Celts and bring Christianity which would become a unifying force and gradually took hold under the leadership of European missionaries. • Due to trouble in the Roman empire, the Romans begin to leave Great Britain around 409 A.D. • They leave roads, walls, villas, and great public baths. • However, they leave NO CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS and the kinship groups are separate and vulnerable.

Britian: A History of Invasions• Anglo/Saxons – the Angles and the Saxons

from Germany and Jutes from Denmark, as well as Vikings from Scandinavia cross the North Sea and invade and conquer these weakened groups. • They bring their language and a new name “Engla Land”. • Some just scavenge the land – others invade and settle leaving a permanent influence on society• The Celts – left with a weakened sense of community – none the less put up resistance and the beginning of the legend of King Arthur is born

Britian: A History of Invasions• Normans – the Normans invade

under the leadership of William of Normandy in 1066 and bring an end to the Anglo/Saxon period.

Anglo-Saxon Impact:• Religion: Combination of Celtic

animism, Norse religion, and Christianity – this is a time of constant religious and cultural transition• Male-Dominated• Warriors (fighters) and

Bards(scholars) were equally respected. Warriors were valued for their ability to protect and defend the people. Bards (also called SCOPS)were revered for their ability to tell the tales of the people and to create immortality through words.

Unity at Last• King Alfred of Wessex (r. 871-899) –

also known as Alfred the Great. Unites the smaller kinship groups against the Danes and Viking invasions. • Commissions the Anglo-Saxon

Chronicle a running history of England.• Christianity gains in strength and

unifies not only people in England, but also connects England to the rest of Europe.

The End of an Age• Edward the Conqueror, an Anglo/Saxon

king, dies childless. Two men both claim the throne. Harold of England and William of Normandy.• William of Normandy defeats Harold at the

Battle of Hastings in October of 1066 earning him the name William the Conqueror.• The Anglo/Saxon age is replaced by a

ruling government of Normans.