British LiteratureUnit 1

The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066

Celtic Britain

Britain first mentioned by ancient Greeks

Legendary: remote and mysterious Island originally occupied by Celtic

Britons Conquered by the Romans in the first

century Around 410, Romans left the Celtic

people to find their own means of defense

Rise of the Anglo-Saxons In 449, the Jutes (from the Jutland in

Denmark) were the first of the Germanic invaders

In 600-850, the Angles and Saxons, wealthy independent lords and kings, invaded as well

But the Celtics did not retreat without a fight

Celtics experienced brief military success under leadership of King Arthur, Medieval legend

Celtic British culture collapsed by 600- Celts driven into Wales

Fall of the Celtic

Tribes and Language These Germanic tribes brought Old

English, Anglo-Saxon Together they created Anglo- Saxon

England Old English is a branch of West

German, related to modern German and Dutch

Modern English evolved from the language of Germanic Invaders

Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

Fall of Anglo-Saxons 871-899 Viking Norsemen (“Danes”) began to

attack and were defeated

In 1066, the Normans invaded from across the English Channel instituted their own culture, bringing an end to the Anglo-Saxons

Anglo-Saxon Culture Well developed society organized

around the family, the clan, the tribe, and the kingdom

2 classes: The eorls, ruling class The ceorls, bondsmen, ancestors were former

slaves King relied on witan, wise men

Center of social life was the mead hall

Professional singers, scops, entertained

served as poets and chroniclerskept stories alive

Until end of 6th century, worshipped pagan gods---associated with Norse mythology now

Anglo-Saxon Social Life

At first, Christianity had little impact Until Saint Augustine, a famous

missionary, who came in 597, became the first Archbishop of Canterbury

Within 2 generations, Christianity spread throughout England

Missionaries brought education and culture

Christianity influenced literature, as monks recorded poetry that had been oral

Yet Anglo-Saxons still clung to pagan superstitions and customs

Rise of Christianity

Anglo-Saxon Values Men of courage were admired Loyalty to the leader & the tribe were

essential Persons of rank were respected The ruler was expected to be

generous Everyone was aware life was

transitory Impersonal fate ,“wyrd”, ruled life

Anglo Saxon Literature Anglo-Saxons brought literary

traditions from the continent Brought oral literature steeped in

pagan beliefs Focused on the brave and heroic

deeds of warriors possessing valued attributes

Only surviving full length epic in Old English (from this tradition) is Beowulf

Anglo Saxon Poetry The lyric and the riddle The lyric is personal and emotional The riddle describes person or object Both reveal

– love of language – terror of northern winter– awareness of death– reverence & fear of the sea

Audio Clip