A.D. 449-1066

From Legend to History

449-1066

The Anglo-Saxon Period

Once thought to be original settlers of Britain (got there circa 700 B.C.)

Once believed to predate 3000 B.C. and possibly built Stonehenge—it was old when they got there

Pagan religion-DruidsMentioned by Greeks in 4th century B.C.2 tribes mentioned Brythons and GaelicWere warring tribes—not a centralized group of

peopleBrythons-Britons-settled in present day England or

BritainGaels-term Gaelic-settled in Ireland

Island off coast they called Eire becomes Ireland

Celts

By 250 B.C. had conquered most of the worldJulius Caesar, as a General, leads invasion of England

in 55 B.C.Not until A.D. 43 is there an actual conquest by

ClaudiusThere to rule, not destroyTheir rule lasted over 300 years/height of power 117

A.D. under TrajanLast legions left in 407 A.D. to defend a falling Rome.Brought Christianity to England in 4th centuryBrought structure to EnglandBuilt roads and walls as a defense against invaders-see

Hadrian’s wall

Romans

Patrick (c. 5th century)Historically a Romanized Britain-a ChristianOnce captured by Irish, enslaved, escapes, and

later returned to convert them.Becomes a Saint-patron saint of IrelandRan off all of the snakes in Ireland-really there

are no snakes in Ireland except in Zoos-symbolic myth

Symbolism of the Shamrock

Men or Myths?

King Arthur (c. late 5th early 6th century)Not really a King at allHis existence is still debatedLikely to have been a Romanized Celt or Welsh

warriorMost associated with Middle Ages and its

literatureanic tribesSaid to have led warriors against invading

Norse and GermSee films—King Arthur with Clive Owen or Last

Legion

Men or Myths?

Answer the following: Define an “epic poem” Define “alliteration” Define “kenning” What is a hero? Explain your definition and give

examples What is courage? How would most people today define

courage? What qualities do you believe a good leader should

possess? Discuss leadership in our society. Name some modern leaders.

What are the characteristics of contemporary leaders? What do we admire about them?

What does it mean to be loyal? Tell about a time you were loyal or someone was loyal to you.

Why is a reputation important? What factors influence a person’s reputation?

Why is generosity important? What does it mean to be generous? Write about or discuss the most generous person you know.

Homework

Review from yesterday

Romans left England open to invasion—no real army or defense

Various Germanic, Norse, Danish tribes invade

Celts can’t hold them backSome are actual Vikings from Norway, others

are Viking-like tribesTribes with names like Jutes, Saxons, Picts,

and AnglesStep ashore in 449-burning churches and

destroying everything

Invasion

Danes and Norsh were too harsh for Germanic tribes

Saxons and Angles ban together and forces Danes north

Southern half is called Angle-land or EnglandAnglo-Saxon refers to combination of tribes and

culture formed from itAnglo-Saxon united under King Alfred or Alfred

the GreatDanes and Vikings never stop trying to get in until

everyone is defeated including the Anglo-Saxons in 1066

Germanic vs. Danes

Alfred the GreatBecomes King c. 871 A.D.Unites England against VikingsCommissions The Anglo Saxon Chronicle—a

history of the Anglo-Saxons in England—written in Old English

Helped give Old English respectabilityMost stuff written in Latin, he insists on a

language of the people

Major Historical Figures

Edward the ConfessorNamed because he was deeply religiousDeath in 1066 opened England to invasionNo real heir for his throne

Major Historical Figures

Harold IIConsidered last Anglo-Saxon kingChosen by council elders to be kingKilled in same year takes throne (1066)

Major Historical Figures

William the ConquerorDuke of NormandyClaims Edward left throne to himDecides to invade England and take his

throneLeads Norman invasion of EnglandKills Harold and takes throneIntroduces the Norman or French line of

kings

Major Historical Figures

Old English becomes the language of the people

Old English is a combination of various languages of invading tribes

Latin comes from the Romans—later considered language of the educated and elite

Norse language comes from the VikingsGerman from the Germanic tribes i.e. Angles,

SaxonsGaelic from the CeltsRemnants of these languages can still be seen

in our language

Language

Historically begins with Pagan religion of CeltsChristianity brought in by the Romans and slowly

spreadsAnglo-Saxon belief system similar to Norse and

Norse mythologyNorse main god was Oden—Anglo-Saxon was Woden

—his day is referred to as Woden’s day or WednesdaySon was Thor in both religions—his day Thor’s day

Two major beliefs were “Wyrd” and “Lof”“Wyrd” means fate—believed they would die young“Lof” means fame after death—no real heaven so live

eternally through fame

Religion

With no real period of peace, warriors were necessary

One of the most respected members of society

Wanted to die in battle—felt it was their “wyrd”

Fight hard and gain “lof”Short life span and no medical care- “hair of

the dog”

Warrior Society

Earliest form is of the storytelling or oral tradition“Scop” was a storyteller“Scops” were respected as warriors“Scops” could provide “lof”

Written literature is from monksMonks wrote down stories of commonersTwo main forms

Lyric poetry—most like a song in formExample: “The Seafarer”

The epic—just like The Odyssey—traces journey of a heroExample: Beowulf

Literature

Influence and Importance of Catholicism and the

church

Preserved and written down by monksBede (672-735 A.D.)

Monk and author a.k.a Venerable BedeWrote Ecclesiastical History of England“Father of English History”Work with Latin and Greek writings of the

early Church Fathers contributed significantly to English Christianity, making the writings more accessible to fellow Anglo-Saxons.

History

Monasteries were sanctuaries for learningMonks were the few that could read and

writeHelped educate others and spread

Christianity while doing itMonks could write in Old English and LatinHelped bridge gap from King to commoner

Education

Was spread because monks wrote it downExeter Book

10th century compilation of Anglo-Saxon poetryKept in Exeter Cathedral, thus the nameLargest collection of Old English literature

No printing pressHand copied text constantlyWinters so cold ink froze

Literature

Evolution of Language

Anglo-Saxon (Old English) nom      ic     wé    þú      gé       hé      héo     hit    híe acc      mé     ús    þé      éow      hine    híe     hit    híe dat      mé     ús    þé      éow      im      hire    him    heom gen      mín    úre   þín     éower    his     hire    his    hira/heoras

Late Middle English nom      I     we     thou    ye      he      she    hit     they obl      me    us     thee    you     him     hir    hit     hem/them gen      my    oure   thy     your    his     hir    his     hir/their

Modern English nom      I      we     -      you     he      she    it      they obl      me     us     -      you     him     her    it      them gen      my     our    -      your    his     her    its     their

From Old English to Modern English

Most dramatic changes occurred between late part of Middle English and early part of Modern English

Originally, the long vowels were literally long versions of the short vowels: held for a longer time

Long vowels shifted “up”: pronounced with the tongue higher in the mouth

Vowels that couldn’t go any higher became dipthongs

The Great English Vowel Shift

Long vowels shifted upe (originally pronounced “eh”) becomes “ee” (beet)o (originally pronounced “oh”) becomes “oo” (boot)

Long vowels with nowhere to go became diphthongsi (originally pronounced “ee”) becomes “eye” (bite)ou (originally pronounced “oo”) becomes “ow” (spout)

Diphthongs became long soundsai (originally pronounced “eye”) becomes “ai” (mate)au (originally pronounced “ow”) becomes “aw” (spot)

Other random changesoo is sometimes “you” as in “cute”e is sometimes silent now—never was silent before

The Great English Vowel Shift