Old English If you have headphones, go ahead and follow the link below and answer the following questions. If you do not have headphones, proceed to the following slides and write notes on the bullet points and anything in bold. If you prefer to type your notes, that is fine, but be sure to print them and place them in your binder for binder check.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEaSxhcns7Y

Answer the following with complete sentences.

1. When did the Norman Conquest occur? (DOK 1)

2. Describe the affect of the Norman Conquest on the English language. (DOK 2)

3. Is today’s English the same as the English spoken a thousand years ago? Support your answer with details and examples. (DOK 3)

Time: 10 minutes-ish

Old English: c. 500 CE – 1066 CE

Anglo-Saxon Poetry & BEOWULF

Where is England?

England

The Celts The Celts arrived from

Europe around 900 BCE

(Before Common Era).

The Celts consisted of two tribes:

the Brytons who inhabited what

is now known as Britain, and the

Geals who in habited what is now

known as Ireland.

Celtic leaders

were often Druids,

who were priests.

Druids

preserved the

people’s myths

and legends by

reciting poems.

The Romans (55 BCE – 407 CE)

The Romans arrived in 55 BCE and did not leave until

407 CE, ruling for 300 years.

The Romans established roads and towns in England.

They also brought Christianity.

They left because there was a battle occurring in Italy

that needed reinforcements.

Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon period

ranges from 449-1066 CE.

This period begins when the Romans leave England to fight a battle in Italy.

With the Romans gone, England was sparsely populated and therefore easy to invade.

Anglo-Saxon PeriodWhen the Romans left England, it was left largely unguarded (and not particularly populated), which opened the door for three groups of Germanic invaders – the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes.

These three tribes were easily able to row up the island nation’s rivers and claim the land they wanted.

Anglo-Saxon Culture The Venerable Bede

The Father of English History

lived from 673-735 CE

wrote A History of the English Church and People

clearest account of Anglo-Saxon culture

Anglo-Saxon CultureThe Sea: Angles,

Saxons, and Jutes

were seafarers,

skilled sailors, and

ship builders.

Home life: This is a

reproduction of an

Anglo-Saxon home. In

addition to sailing,

they maintained an

agricultural society.

Anglo-Saxon Culture

War: The Anglo-

Saxons

were often under

attack by the Danes

a.k.a the Vikings.Religion: The Anglo-

Saxons arrived with their

own pagan beliefs. Their

word for fate was

“wyrd,” and their religion

heavily supported the

concept of fate.

Woden: King

of the Anglo-

Saxon Gods;

married to

Fria, goddess

of home and

childbirth

Anglo-Saxon CultureRoman cleric Augustine (St. Augustine) arrives in 597 CE,

and is able to convert the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelbert to

Christianity which results in the entire nation being

converted to Christianity.

- The English people began to unite because

of the Church’s teachings on peace.

- The Church also brought a focus on

education and writing to England.

- Monks worked as scribes, recording Anglo-

Saxon poems and stories.

Anglo-Saxon

Hierarchy

King – expected to be generous to his loyal subjects

Thanes – claimed kinship to the founder of a tribe; they were expected to be loyal; they were also the warriors

Everyone else (freemen – “ceorl”)

Artisans – created ornate works of art, weapons, and armor

Craftsmen/women – performed a variety of needed services – such as beekeepers, shepherds, and cheese makers

Slaves – not always a part of this society; may be that not all tribes had slaves; may be that tribes sometimes had slaves and sometimes did not (ex: the U.S. had slaves in its beginning, but now it does not); slaves worked a variety of jobs

Anglo-Saxon Community Center or “the

Club” or place of entertainment

The Mead Hall (exterior)

Anglo-Saxon community center or “the

club” or place of entertainment

The Mead Hall (elaborate interior)

Anglo-Saxon Community Center or “the

Club” or place of entertainment

The Mead Hall (more normal or modest interior)

Anglo-Saxon Literature Few people read in this period.

oral tradition – stories performed and/or sung by

a Scop (pronounced like “shop”) from memory

Scops – poet/minstrels

authors are unknown

Characteristic Features of

Anglo-Saxon Literature

Alliteration – repetition of initial consonant sounds

Kennings – similar to metaphors

Caesura – pause in the middle of the line

Alliteration

repetition of beginning consonant sounds

Example: “That he feels no fear as the sails unfurl.” – the Seafarer

Kenning Kenning – a metaphorical phrase used to

replace a concrete noun

Ex: sea = whale’s home

Ex: battle = spear play

It is like a mini-riddle.

Caesura

– a natural pause in the middle of a line of

poetry.

2 part line – each line is separated by a pause

or break in the middle of the line; each part

generally has 2 strong beats.

•(Put simply, it is a dramatic pause in the middle of a line.)

Caesura example:

Then the Scylding warrior savage and grim,

Seized the ring-hilt and swung the sword

Struck with fury despairing of life

Thrust at the throat broke through the bone

rings:

The stout blade stabbed through her fated flesh.

Be Prepared to Discuss Does literature reflect society? Explain /

give examples.

If literature does reflect society, what

types of literature would you expect to

see from the Anglo-Saxon time period?

Might there be any people or concepts

similar to our society today? If so, what

are they?