The Anglo-Saxons449-1066

Songs of Ancient Heroes

And sometimes a proud old soldierWho had heard songs of the ancient heroes

And could sing them all through, story after storyWould weave a net of words

--Beowulf

Essential Question:

How do we define heroes today?

Timeline Questions

Look at the timeline on pages 2-3 and be prepared to discuss the following questions:

1. What four groups of people invaded Britain in the Anglo-Saxon time period?

2. What effects might a series of invasions—one every three hundred to five hundred years—have on culture?

3. What else sticks out to you?

Political and Social Milestones

• Roman Occupation• British Isles, most of Europe, Asia Minor, Middle East, and North Africa (Italy, France,

Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Armenia, parts of southern Russia, western Romania, Greece, Turkey, Persia, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco)

• Romans claim they only fought “just wars’—meaning they were provoked• Romans withdrew completely and left Britain with no government, subject to

invasion

• Anglo-Saxon Invasion• Were first invited guests that were asked to help fight battles, and then never left• Known for their tight-knit communities and loyalty to religion• Big influence on British warrior culture

• The Spread of Christianity• Introduced by Romans• Became major religion in seventh century

• The Norman Invasion• William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) claimed his cousin, King Edward,

promised him the throne when he died• Ended the Anglo-Saxon culture in Britain

Background Information

• Read pages 6-17 and think about the following questions:

1. What specifically did America inherit from Britain? (political system, law, language)

2. What was the influence of Christianity on Britain?

3. What was the heroic ideal of the Anglo-Saxons?

British Legacy

• Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales

• For and by the people

• Parliamentary government

• Emphasis on personal rights and freedoms

• Invaded many times, British culture is built on all of them

The Celts

• Tall, blonde warriors who lived on an island and were discovered by the Greeks (included the Britons)

• Practiced animism (saw spirits every where)• Priests were called Druids

• Spirits had to be constantly satisfied and controlled all experiences

• Stonehenge

• Skilled artisans—iron workers

Celtic Mythology

• King Arthur (Sir Thomas Malory)

• Full of strong women—tall and fierce (Queen Maeve)

• Fantastic animals

• Love affairs

• Adventure

• Enchanted lands and magic

The Romans

• Invasion led by Julius Caesar and Claudius– Celts were conquered

• Provided armies

• Built roads and defensive wall, villas, and public baths

• Christianity became prevalent religion

• Had troubles at home so they they pulled out of Great Britain and left no government

The Anglo-Saxons Sweep Ashore

• Came from Germanic region (Angles and Saxons from Germany, Jutes from Denmark)

• Language became dominant language

• Named the land Engla land—England

• Celts put up a fight, but retreated to Wales

Alfred the Great

• King Alfred of Wessex

• Led Anglo-Saxons against invading Danes

• Helped unite Anglo-Saxons with Christianity—common faith, common system

• Christianity helped connect England to Europe (world religion)

The Anglo-Saxon Lifestyle

• Not barbarians

• Didn’t lead luxurious lives, didn’t focus on the arts or education

• Loyalty to the leader was important—success was measured in gifts from the leader

• Women inherited property, in order to marry a woman a man had to offer a gift to his future wife

• They lived close to their animals in single-family homes—wooden buildings that surrounded a communal court and had a fence

Anglo-Saxon Religion

• Dark, fatalistic religion—Norse or Scandinavian mythology

• Odin—god of death, poetry, and magic, had a somber outlook on life

• Thumor—same as Thor, god of thunder and lightning

• Dragon—protector of a treasure

• Concerned with the earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship

The Bards

• Skilled storytellers—sang of gods and heroes

• Communal hall provided a space for meetings and storytellers/bards

• Called scops

• The bards were just as important as fighters, hunters, and farmers

• Used harps

• Sang tales of war, disease, and old age

Ireland

• Since it was isolated it was not overrun by Germanic invaders

• Converted to Christianity

• While England sank in 432-750, Ireland had a Golden Age

The English Language

• Latin was the language of study until ing Alfred

• Due to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, English began to gain respect as a language and culture