The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066)

The Anglo-Saxon Period The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066)(449-1066)

By providing an overview of the major By providing an overview of the major historical events of the Anglo-Saxon historical events of the Anglo-Saxon Period, the students are permitted to Period, the students are permitted to interpret the possible influences of interpret the possible influences of

historical contexts on literary works.historical contexts on literary works.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

449-1485

Western Civilization and Western Civilization and Western ThoughtWestern Thought

Grew out of three ancient Grew out of three ancient civilizations:civilizations:

1.1. Greeks – individual truthGreeks – individual truth

2.2. Romans – the stateRomans – the state

3.3. Hebrews – God above allHebrews – God above all

Each culture prevailed at Each culture prevailed at different times.different times.

Medieval period = Hebrew conceptMedieval period = Hebrew concept

(God above all)(God above all) Renaissance = Greek conceptRenaissance = Greek concept

(Individual truth)(Individual truth) 1818thth/19/19thth/20/20thth Centuries = Roman concept Centuries = Roman concept

(State above all)(State above all)

England Before the Anglo-England Before the Anglo-SaxonsSaxons

StonehengeStonehenge


Built between 3000 Built between 3000 and 1500 BCand 1500 BC

Was it a temple?Was it a temple?

Celtic speakers Celtic speakers arrived in England arrived in England in about 900 BCin about 900 BC


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC There were 3 groups There were 3 groups

- The first group called - The first group called themselves the themselves the Britons, and they Britons, and they inhabited what is now inhabited what is now Britain. Britain.



- The first group called - The first group called themselves the themselves the Britons, and they Britons, and they inhabited what is now inhabited what is now Britain. Britain.

- The second group - The second group were the Picts, and were the Picts, and they settled in present they settled in present day Scotland.day Scotland.



- The first group called - The first group called themselves the Britons, themselves the Britons, and they inhabited what is and they inhabited what is now Britain. now Britain.

- The second group were - The second group were the Picts, and they settled the Picts, and they settled in present day Scotland.in present day Scotland.

- The third group were - The third group were the Gaels, and they the Gaels, and they settled in present day settled in present day Ireland.Ireland.


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC Celtic groups spoke their own Celtic groups spoke their own

languages, and these languages and languages, and these languages and cultures live on in modern times. cultures live on in modern times. Celtic languages are still the official Celtic languages are still the official languages of such countries as languages of such countries as Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany.Brittany.


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC Celtic groups spoke their own languages, Celtic groups spoke their own languages,

and these languages and cultures live on in and these languages and cultures live on in modern times. Celtic languages are still the modern times. Celtic languages are still the official languages of such countries as official languages of such countries as Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany even Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany even to this day.to this day.

These were thriving cultures by most These were thriving cultures by most standards of the day. They lived in closely standards of the day. They lived in closely tied clans. They were skilled in agriculture tied clans. They were skilled in agriculture and metalwork and traded with their and metalwork and traded with their neighbors throughout the British Isles. neighbors throughout the British Isles.


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC Their leaders were often Druids, who Their leaders were often Druids, who

were priests; however, the druids were priests; however, the druids also served as judges and also served as judges and counselors.counselors.


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC Their leaders were often Druids, who were Their leaders were often Druids, who were

priests; however, the druids served also as priests; however, the druids served also as judges and counselorsjudges and counselors

The Celtic clans had a long oral tradition The Celtic clans had a long oral tradition of literature and learning which was of literature and learning which was preserved by The Druids. They preserved preserved by The Druids. They preserved the people’s myths and legends by the people’s myths and legends by reciting long, heroic poems.reciting long, heroic poems.


The Celts – 900 BCThe Celts – 900 BC Their leaders were often Druids, who were Their leaders were often Druids, who were

priests; however, the druids served also as priests; however, the druids served also as judges and counselorsjudges and counselors

The Celtic clans had a long oral tradition The Celtic clans had a long oral tradition of literature and learning which was of literature and learning which was preserved by The Druids. They preserved preserved by The Druids. They preserved the people’s myths and legends by the people’s myths and legends by reciting long, heroic poems.reciting long, heroic poems.

Celtic tales – Old King Cole and King LearCeltic tales – Old King Cole and King Lear


The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD)The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD) The next group to The next group to

invade England invade England was the Romans.was the Romans.




They ruled for They ruled for some 300 years.some 300 years.




They ruled for They ruled for some 300 years.some 300 years.

They established They established roads and towns roads and towns that served the that served the island for centuries.island for centuries.



invade England was the invade England was the Romans.Romans.

They ruled for some They ruled for some 300 years.300 years.

They established roads They established roads and towns that served and towns that served the island for centuries.the island for centuries.

They brought They brought Christianity to the Christianity to the British Isles (England)British Isles (England)


The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD)The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD) Their rule ended because Their rule ended because

Italy and Rome were under Italy and Rome were under attack from northern attack from northern invaders. Basically, the invaders. Basically, the troops were called home.troops were called home.


The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD)The Romans: (55 BC – 407 AD) Their rule ended because Italy and Their rule ended because Italy and

Rome was under attack from Rome was under attack from northern invaders. Basically, the northern invaders. Basically, the troops were called home.troops were called home.

The last troops left in 407 AD, and The last troops left in 407 AD, and the stage was set for the Anglos and the stage was set for the Anglos and the Saxons to invade.the Saxons to invade.

The Anglo-Saxons: (449 – The Anglo-Saxons: (449 – 1066)1066)

The invasion by the The invasion by the Anglo-Saxons of Anglo-Saxons of modern day modern day England began in England began in 449 AD, but 449 AD, but actually takes actually takes place over several place over several decades decades


The invasion by the The invasion by the Anglo-Saxons of Anglo-Saxons of modern day England modern day England began in 449 AD, but began in 449 AD, but actually takes place actually takes place over several decades over several decades

There were three There were three major groups: the major groups: the Angles, the Saxons, Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes.and the Jutes.


The Britons- The Britons- perhaps led by a perhaps led by a commander named commander named Arthur- fought a Arthur- fought a series of legendary series of legendary battles in a effort battles in a effort to stop the to stop the invasion.invasion.


The Britons- perhaps led by a The Britons- perhaps led by a commander named Arthur- commander named Arthur- fought a series of legendary fought a series of legendary battles in a effort to stop the battles in a effort to stop the invasion.invasion.

These efforts failed These efforts failed however and the however and the Germanic Anglo-Saxon Germanic Anglo-Saxon tribes organized tribes organized themselves into a themselves into a confederation of confederation of seven kingdoms call seven kingdoms call the the Heptarchy.Heptarchy.


In the early history In the early history of the Heptarchy, of the Heptarchy, the Angles were the Angles were dominate.dominate.


In the early history of In the early history of the Heptarchy, the the Heptarchy, the Angles were dominate.Angles were dominate.

Their settlement Their settlement or kingdom or kingdom became known became known as Angle-land or as Angle-land or England, and its England, and its people came to people came to be called English.be called English.


In the early history of the Heptarchy, In the early history of the Heptarchy, the Angles were dominate.the Angles were dominate.

Their settlement or kingdom became Their settlement or kingdom became known as Angle-land or England, and known as Angle-land or England, and its people came to be called English.its people came to be called English.

Because there were Because there were several different groups several different groups that began the invasion that began the invasion of Briton in 449, modern of Briton in 449, modern scholars employ the scholars employ the term term Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon to to refer to the people and refer to the people and culture of this period in culture of this period in English history.English history.


Like all cultures, Like all cultures, the Anglo-Saxons the Anglo-Saxons changed over timechanged over time


Like all cultures, the Like all cultures, the Anglo-Saxons changed Anglo-Saxons changed over timeover time

Early on, they were Early on, they were seafaring wanderers seafaring wanderers whose lives were whose lives were bleak, violent, and bleak, violent, and shortshort


As they settled in their As they settled in their new land, however, new land, however, the Anglo-Saxons the Anglo-Saxons became an became an agricultural peopleagricultural people


As they settled in their As they settled in their new land, however, new land, however, the Anglo-Saxons the Anglo-Saxons became an became an agricultural peopleagricultural people

Less violent, more Less violent, more secure, more civilizedsecure, more civilized


As they settled in their new As they settled in their new land, however, the Anglo-land, however, the Anglo-Saxons became an Saxons became an agricultural peopleagricultural people

Less violent, more secure, Less violent, more secure, more civilizedmore civilized

One of the most important One of the most important civilizing forces was the civilizing forces was the Christianity they began Christianity they began accepting late in the sixth accepting late in the sixth century (500-599 AD)century (500-599 AD)

The Anglo-Saxons (449-The Anglo-Saxons (449-1066)1066)

The Danish InvasionsThe Danish Invasions In the 790s a new group of invaders - In the 790s a new group of invaders -

the Danes, also know as the Vikings, the Danes, also know as the Vikings, began to devastate the flourishing began to devastate the flourishing cultureculture


The Danish InvasionsThe Danish Invasions In the 790s a new group of invaders - the In the 790s a new group of invaders - the

Danes, also know as the Vikings, began to Danes, also know as the Vikings, began to devastate the flourishing culturedevastate the flourishing culture

English king Alfred the Great was able to English king Alfred the Great was able to resist the first invasion. He was a strong resist the first invasion. He was a strong proponent of learning and education. He proponent of learning and education. He oversaw the writing of the oversaw the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon ChronicleChronicle which recorded early English life. which recorded early English life.


The Danish InvasionsThe Danish Invasions In the 790s a new group of invaders - the Danes, In the 790s a new group of invaders - the Danes,

also known as the Vikings, began to devastate also known as the Vikings, began to devastate the flourishing culturethe flourishing culture

English king Alfred the Great was able to resist English king Alfred the Great was able to resist the first invasion. He was a strong proponent of the first invasion. He was a strong proponent of learning and education. He oversaw the writing learning and education. He oversaw the writing of the of the Anglo-Saxon ChronicleAnglo-Saxon Chronicle which recorded which recorded early English life.early English life.

He could not hold off subsequent invasions, He could not hold off subsequent invasions, however, and was forced to agree to a trucehowever, and was forced to agree to a truce


The Norman ConquestThe Norman Conquest Meanwhile, conquering Vikings in France adopted Meanwhile, conquering Vikings in France adopted

the Franks' language, re ligion, laws, customs, the Franks' language, re ligion, laws, customs, political organization and methods of warfare, to political organization and methods of warfare, to become Franks in all but name—they were now become Franks in all but name—they were now known as Normans, men of Normandy.known as Normans, men of Normandy.

By 1042, the Danes were out of power in England, By 1042, the Danes were out of power in England, and Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon and Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon ruler, was on the throne.ruler, was on the throne.

Edward died in 1066, and that year found the Edward died in 1066, and that year found the Normans overpower the Anglo-Saxons. This was Normans overpower the Anglo-Saxons. This was their last defeat.their last defeat.

The Anglo-Saxons (449-The Anglo-Saxons (449-1066): Hierarchy1066): Hierarchy

1. King = he was expected to be 1. King = he was expected to be generous to his loyal subjectsgenerous to his loyal subjects

2. Earls/Thanes/Free Warriors = 2. Earls/Thanes/Free Warriors = claimed kinship to founder of tribes. claimed kinship to founder of tribes. They were expected to be LOYAL.They were expected to be LOYAL.

The Witan = they were the King’s The Witan = they were the King’s council – the King made the final council – the King made the final decisionsdecisions


3. Freemen/Genlats = independent 3. Freemen/Genlats = independent landowners landowners

4. Churls = boundmen who trace 4. Churls = boundmen who trace ancestry to former captives of tribe; ancestry to former captives of tribe; did the hard labor; worked for Earls; did the hard labor; worked for Earls; could move up to “freemen” with could move up to “freemen” with possessions & special royal favorpossessions & special royal favor


5. Slaves/Thralls5. Slaves/Thralls

**Women were a subclass. They were **Women were a subclass. They were viewed as only important for viewed as only important for domestic duties.domestic duties.

The Anglo-Saxons (449-1066)The Anglo-Saxons (449-1066)

What did they eat?What did they eat?


What did they eat?What did they eat? Most Anglo-Saxons were largely Most Anglo-Saxons were largely

vegetarian. Poor Saxons ate vegetarian. Poor Saxons ate chicken, bacon, and pork sausages, chicken, bacon, and pork sausages, but red meat (farmed and hunted) but red meat (farmed and hunted) was only for the rich.was only for the rich.

Pork also seems to have been Pork also seems to have been popular, as well as beef and mutton.popular, as well as beef and mutton.


What did they eat?What did they eat? Along with their meal they Along with their meal they

would often have would often have mead.mead. Mead is a drink made by Mead is a drink made by fermenting honey.fermenting honey.

Anglo-Saxons = What did they Anglo-Saxons = What did they admire in their warriorsadmire in their warriors

1.1. Good sportsmanshipGood sportsmanship

2.2. EnduranceEndurance

3.3. Loyalty to kingLoyalty to king

4.4. Athletic prowessAthletic prowess

5.5. BraveryBravery

6.6. Respect for each otherRespect for each other

7.7. Action and fightingAction and fighting

The Anglo-Saxons = The Anglo-Saxons = ReligionReligion

They came to Britain with their own They came to Britain with their own pagan beliefs. pagan beliefs.

They had a firm belief in fate (wyrd).They had a firm belief in fate (wyrd). They worshiped ancient Germanic They worshiped ancient Germanic

gods like Tui, god of war and the sky; gods like Tui, god of war and the sky; Woden, chief of the gods; and Fria, Woden, chief of the gods; and Fria, Woden’s wife and goddess of the Woden’s wife and goddess of the home.home.

Sound familiar? Sound familiar?

Tiu, Woden, and Fria todayTiu, Woden, and Fria today

TuesdayTuesday WednesdayWednesday FridayFriday

Where do we get Where do we get the rest of our the rest of our week’s names?week’s names?

Something to consider…Something to consider…

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, safety and shelter must be Needs, safety and shelter must be firmly established before more firmly established before more thoughtful ideas can take root. (A thoughtful ideas can take root. (A person cannot “skip” levels.) person cannot “skip” levels.) Therefore, religion was not important Therefore, religion was not important to the Anglo-Saxons until their to the Anglo-Saxons until their primary needs were met.primary needs were met.


Christianity had been introduced by the Christianity had been introduced by the Romans, and the Celts were converted.Romans, and the Celts were converted.

Irish monks helped establish a strong Irish monks helped establish a strong Christian hold on the island.Christian hold on the island.

Scots were converted easily, and many Scots were converted easily, and many monasteries were built in Scotland.monasteries were built in Scotland.


Roman cleric Saint Roman cleric Saint Augustine arrives in Augustine arrives in 597.597.

Saint Augustine was Saint Augustine was able to convert King able to convert King Ethelbert of Kent; Ethelbert of Kent; this led to the this led to the kingdom being kingdom being converted. converted.


The Church promoted peace, and The Church promoted peace, and that helped unite the English people.that helped unite the English people.

The Church also brought education The Church also brought education and a written literature.and a written literature.

Monks often worked as scribes, Monks often worked as scribes, recording and duplicating written recording and duplicating written work by hand.work by hand.


Venerable Bede Venerable Bede (673-735) = “The (673-735) = “The Father of English Father of English History”History”

He wrote He wrote A History A History of the English of the English Church and PeopleChurch and People – – the clearest account the clearest account of early Anglo-of early Anglo-Saxon times.Saxon times.

It is better never to begin a It is better never to begin a good work than, having good work than, having

begun it, to stop.begun it, to stop.

Bede, Bede, A History of the English A History of the English Church and PeopleChurch and People

Documents

The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066)