Anglo-Saxon EnglandAnglo-Saxon England

Anglo-Saxon England Anglo-Saxon England was born in warfare, was born in warfare, remained a military remained a military society, and came to society, and came to an end in 1066 an end in 1066 because the because the Normans were Normans were militarily superior.militarily superior.

Invasions of EnglandInvasions of EnglandThis era of British history encompasses the This era of British history encompasses the

following cultures:following cultures:

Celts (800-600 B.C.)Celts (800-600 B.C.)Romans(55 B.C.)Romans(55 B.C.)

Angles, Saxons, Jutes(A.D. 449)Angles, Saxons, Jutes(A.D. 449)Vikings(A.D. 700)Vikings(A.D. 700)

Celtic tribesCeltic tribes

Settled in 5Settled in 5thth Century Century B.C. from Southern B.C. from Southern EuropeEurope

People were “mad keen People were “mad keen on war, full of spirit and on war, full of spirit and quick to begin a fight”quick to begin a fight”

Familiar Celt? King Familiar Celt? King Arthur was a Celtic king Arthur was a Celtic king who fought the Saxonswho fought the Saxons

Celtic ReligionCeltic Religion

Believed that gods and Believed that gods and spirits were everywherespirits were everywhere

Druids made sacrifices Druids made sacrifices (sometimes human) to (sometimes human) to the gods for the people.the gods for the people.

Shady oak trees were Shady oak trees were favorite places for favorite places for religious ceremoniesreligious ceremonies

Romans:Romans: J. Caesar invaded in 55 B.CJ. Caesar invaded in 55 B.C..

To the Romans, Britain was a remote To the Romans, Britain was a remote wilderness only known from traders’ wilderness only known from traders’ reportsreports

Commodities: Corn, cattle, gold, silver, Commodities: Corn, cattle, gold, silver, iron, hides, slaves, and clever hunting iron, hides, slaves, and clever hunting dogsdogs

Emp. Claudius fully dominated Britain Emp. Claudius fully dominated Britain in A.D. 43in A.D. 43

Scotland, Ireland continued Celtic Scotland, Ireland continued Celtic traditions: “Celtic Fringe”traditions: “Celtic Fringe”

Results? Urban civilization, education Results? Urban civilization, education for sons, walled towns, Christianity, for sons, walled towns, Christianity, warfare, roadswarfare, roads

Anglo-Saxon invasion:Anglo-Saxon invasion:A.D. 449A.D. 449

Romans withdrew in 407 Romans withdrew in 407 because of European because of European tribes invading Italytribes invading Italy

Angles, Saxons, Jutes: Angles, Saxons, Jutes: Germanic tribes who Germanic tribes who destroyed Roman destroyed Roman civilizationcivilization

Culture:Culture:Ruled by a king chosen Ruled by a king chosen by witan (council of by witan (council of elders)elders)Lived by strict codes of Lived by strict codes of conduct: loyalty to leader conduct: loyalty to leader and tribe were necessary and tribe were necessary for the survival of all.for the survival of all.

Anglo-Saxon way of lifeAnglo-Saxon way of life

Ruler was generous with food, Ruler was generous with food, gold, drink, and weapons to gold, drink, and weapons to those who were loyal those who were loyal

All people were aware of the All people were aware of the shortness of life and the passing shortness of life and the passing away of all thingsaway of all things

Everything was determined by Everything was determined by fatefate

The only thing that lasted was The only thing that lasted was fame, so all competed for itfame, so all competed for it

Anglo-Saxon JusticeAnglo-Saxon Justice Emphasis on revengeEmphasis on revenge If someone killed a member If someone killed a member

of your family, if you could, of your family, if you could, kill the slayer, or the next kill the slayer, or the next best thing: a member of his best thing: a member of his familyfamily

When a man committed the When a man committed the unpardonable offense of a unpardonable offense of a crime against an actual crime against an actual kinsman, vengeance could kinsman, vengeance could be averted by payment of be averted by payment of blood money: WERGILDblood money: WERGILD

ChristianityChristianity

By the year 300, a significantBy the year 300, a significant amount of Britons were amount of Britons were ChristiansChristians

Romans pulled out:, Romans pulled out:, Christianity fellChristianity fell

597 St. Augustine arrived on 597 St. Augustine arrived on an order from Pope Gregoryan order from Pope Gregory

He est. a monastery in He est. a monastery in CanterburyCanterbury

Became the first Archbishop Became the first Archbishop of Canterburyof Canterbury

The church enjoyed a revivalThe church enjoyed a revival Christianity had to compete Christianity had to compete

with Pagan rituals.with Pagan rituals.

Absorption of pagan ideas Absorption of pagan ideas into Christianityinto Christianity

Remember: pagan Remember: pagan means one who is not means one who is not Christian, Jewish, or Christian, Jewish, or Muslim (monotheistic)Muslim (monotheistic)

Easter: Eostre was the Easter: Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawnof dawn

Rabbits and colored Rabbits and colored eggs were symbols of eggs were symbols of new lifenew life

ChristmasChristmas Originally set in December to Originally set in December to

compete with Pagan winter compete with Pagan winter festivals held at the same timefestivals held at the same time

Gift giving: a pagan ritualGift giving: a pagan ritual Pre-Christian winter festivals Pre-Christian winter festivals

used greenery, lights, and fires used greenery, lights, and fires to symbolize life and warmth in to symbolize life and warmth in the midst of cold and darknessthe midst of cold and darkness

Teutonics and Scandinavians Teutonics and Scandinavians associated with tree worshipassociated with tree worship

Influences of Christianity to Influences of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon Culturethe Anglo-Saxon Culture

Monasteries were important Monasteries were important centers of social, centers of social, intellectual, artistic, and literary lifeintellectual, artistic, and literary life

Monks Monks copied books copied books imported from other European imported from other European countriescountries

Bede: a Bede: a NorthumbrianNorthumbrian monk who is considered the monk who is considered the father of English historyfather of English history– Earliest historian of EnglandEarliest historian of England– Earliest important prose writerEarliest important prose writer– Venerable: in recognition of his reputation for wisdom, Venerable: in recognition of his reputation for wisdom,

humility, and scholarshiphumility, and scholarship– Wrote Wrote History of the English Church and PeopHistory of the English Church and Peoplele

Alfred the GreatAlfred the Great(King Alfred of Wessex)(King Alfred of Wessex)

871-899871-899 He united his peopleHe united his people Forced the Danes to the Forced the Danes to the

Northeast part of EnglandNortheast part of England He promoted the use of He promoted the use of

written English rather than written English rather than the Latin the monks copiedthe Latin the monks copied

Encouraged original worksEncouraged original works Wrote Wrote The Anglo-Saxon The Anglo-Saxon

Chronicle:Chronicle: the first historical the first historical record kept in Englishrecord kept in English

Created a code of lawCreated a code of law Founded first English public Founded first English public

schoolsschools

Pagan traditionsPagan traditions

FateFate Rewards from the leader in the form of treasure Rewards from the leader in the form of treasure

(“booty”)(“booty”) Fame: others will hear about your deedsFame: others will hear about your deeds Dead bodies were burnedDead bodies were burned Code of honor: Defend your lord with your lifeCode of honor: Defend your lord with your life Belief in omensBelief in omens Mead Hall: safety, fellowship, homeMead Hall: safety, fellowship, home

Types of PoetryTypes of Poetry

Heroic epicHeroic epic: a long, narrative poem whose central : a long, narrative poem whose central character is a herocharacter is a hero– The hero is a noble figure with great courage and The hero is a noble figure with great courage and

superhuman abilitiessuperhuman abilities– Most epic heroes are important figures in a nation’s Most epic heroes are important figures in a nation’s

legends or historylegends or historyElegiac LyricElegiac Lyric

A single speaker expresses thoughts and feelings A single speaker expresses thoughts and feelings Recalls the glories of the pastRecalls the glories of the past Solemn subjects such as deathSolemn subjects such as deathRiddles:Riddles:

– Composed in verse and challenged the listeners Composed in verse and challenged the listeners to guess their subjectto guess their subject

Normans!Normans!

1066 1066

Invaders from FranceInvaders from France

Fall of Anglo-Saxon ruleFall of Anglo-Saxon rule