The Anglo Saxon Period449-1066 AD

The Sound of Old English

Old English reading- The Battle of Brunanburh http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=zfaEGU45lKA

Origin of Modern English

Evolution of the English Language

450-1066: Old English (Beowulf) 1150-1500: Middle English (Canterbury

Tales) 1500-1700: Early modern English

(Shakespeare) 1611- King James Bible: (Marked the

evolution of modern English to the present) 1900-2000: Modern English What do you think will be the next era?

English Language in a nutshell

Video 1: History of English Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=r9Tfbeqyu2U

Anglo-Saxons449-1066 AD

Anglo-Saxons were warriors from Denmark and Germany

Identified as: Angles from North, Saxons from South,

Jutes from Denmark Areas became known as the “Angles’ Land”

or England Language was called “Angle-ish” or English

The Anglo Saxon Period

Marked by series of invasions by: Romans, Germanic Tribes, Vikings

England was an isolated island at this time Iberians (present-day Spain) settled England Next, Celts settled England in 770 BC Celts = Britons (British) and Gaels (Irish)

Roman Invaders

Romans conquered England between 55BC-409AD

Julius Caesar declared England “conquered” after barely invading

100 years later Emperor Claudius asserted control over islands

Built 5,000 miles of stone roads linking capitals and towns (ie- London, York, Winchester)

Ancient Rome (Roman Forum today)

End of an Era: Here lies Caesar!

Germanic Invasions

Celts

Brought religion, metalworking, mythology, and legal system to England

Celtic Druids (Priests) believed every person had an immortal soul

Celtic language dominated England until 5th Century A.D.

Anglo Saxon Video

Video 2: Anglo Saxons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzxiz3Kw9eI

Video 3: Action Sequence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOxhDYM7vyo

Video 4: 7 min war action sequence http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=iLPlmo3SS_0&feature=related

Anglo-Saxon Society

Two Class Society 1. Earls/thanes: Rulers of the tribe 2. Churls: Bondservants and laborers for the

tribe leaders Witan- “Wise men” or earls who consulted

with Anglo-Saxon king as decision makers Women only gained respect as queen, wife of

a powerful earl, or as a churchwoman

Anglo-Saxon Weapons

Warrior Culture

Weapons were engraved with letters called “runes” to provide magical protection from harm

Songs and stories were created to honor heroic warriors

Dragons represented evil- Vikings sailed boats with carved dragons

Warrior Culture

Warriors were bound to chieftain until death Warriors had to avenge death of chieftain/

lord or die beside himAfter battle, warriors gathered together in

mead hall and ate at tables lined with goldMead hall was safest place- lords resided

here with their warriors

Mead Hall

Standard “Epic” Literature

Has a great leader who identifies with people & society

Hero performs great deeds in battle and has an epic journey

Gods/supernatural forces take part in action Story is told in heightened language and

includes long speeches from hero Heroes possess leadership, bravery, & loyalty

Anglo Saxon Literature

Poetry reflected Christian and Pagan values “Wyrd”- meant one’s fate in life Oral Tradition: Scops recited heroic verses Scops- highly revered men who orally handed

down literature Literature entertained/served as model for living Being subject of heroic tale meant immortality!

Anglo-Saxon Literary Devices

Scops used 2 poetic devices to help memorize stories:

Alliteration: repetition of consonant sounds Ex: The miserable, moody man (Caesura: pause within a line of poetry)

Kenning: metaphorical phrase Ex: Whale-road = ocean Ex: Candle in the sky = Sun

Write your own Kennings!

Write a Kenning for the words:

a. SCHOOL

b. HOMEWORKRemember, a kenning is typically a two-

word metaphoric phrase: Ex: Learning-annex (School)