ANCIENT BRITAIN Originally inhabited by the Celtic peoples, who
came from the European continent at an uncertain date. Languages
descended from the Celts are still spoken. These surviving
languages include Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh.
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ANCIENT BRITAIN The people of Ancient Britain were farmers and
hunters. Some say they were savages because they dressed in animal
skins, conducted gruesome sacrifices, and went to war unclothed and
painted blue. They also produced myths, made astrological
observations, and created fine jewelry.
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ANCIENT BRITAIN At the top of society were the chief priests,
or Druids. Composed hymns, poems, and historical records. Served as
judges. Conducted religious ceremonies in the woods or at sites
such as Stonehenge.
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STONEHENGE Britains greatest national icon--Man-made, and over
5,000 years old! May have been a temple built for the Earth
deities. Although it has been damaged, it is one of Earths oldest
surviving structures.
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ROMAN BRITAIN In 54 B.C., the Roman General Julius Caesar
defeated the Britons in a single war. In 43 A.D. the Roman Emperor
Claudius conquered Britain.
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ROMAN BRITAIN The Romans imposed Roman law, culture, and the
Latin Language upon the British island. Built roads and military
fortifications. Established colonies, like London, that later
became great cities.
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THE COMING OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS In the early 5 th Century, Rome
called its warriors home to protect the Roman capital, leaving
Britain vulnerable. Over the next hundred years, several Germanic
tribes invaded Britain. From modern-day Germany, Norway, Sweden,
Iceland, etc.
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THE COMING OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS The Angles and the Saxons were
the fiercest of the tribes, and they conquered much of the country.
We get the words English and England from Angle.
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THE COMING OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS The Angles established 3
kingdoms in the north (Northumbria, Mercia, and East Anglia). The
Saxons established 3 kingdoms in the south (Wessex, Essex, and
SussexWest, East, and South Saxony). Another tribe called the Jutes
established the kingdom of Kent.
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Kings entertained guests in the mead halls,
named after mead, or wine made from fermented honey.
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Told stories of giants, demons, trolls, sea
monsters, and fire-breathing dragons. Lays, or songs, were sung in
honor of warriors. Scops sang of previous warriors, often adding
impossible feats of courage or strength. They were accompanied by a
harp or lyre. Always orally composednothing was ever written
down!
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Organized into three classes:
Thanes=warriors Churls=freemen Thralls=slaves
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Anglo-Saxon justice was simple and crude.
Crimes committed against another person required the payment of a
wergild or man-money. Blood feuds, invasions, and desire for land
and treasure led to frequent warfare.
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Life was harsh and unpredictable. Death
from disease, famine, battle, or storms at sea could come at any
time. Survival was dependent on the whims of the goddess Wyrd, or
Fate. We get the term weird from her name.
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ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE Tiu: god of war Woden: king of the gods
Thor: god of thunder and sky Freia: goddess of the home Other
Anglo-Saxon gods and goddesses included:
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THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY Christianity first came to Britain
during the Roman occupation. In the fifth century, St. Patrick
converted Ireland to Christianity. Christian immigrants crossed
from Ireland into Scotland and Northern England.
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THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY The coming of Christianity meant the
establishment of monasteries in England. These were centers of
religious retreat and learning.
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THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY Scribes produced books by hand.
Books were written on parchment made of calves or sheeps skin. Many
were religious works, such as collections of saints lives and
sermons. Others were copies of the oral literature of the common
people.
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ALFRED THE GREAT In the 8 th and 9 th centuries, the Danes, or
Vikings came from Scandinavia and invaded Anglo-Saxon England. They
plundered monasteries, burnt cities, and conquered much of the
island, including Northumbria, Mercia, and East Anglia.
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ALFRED THE GREAT Alfred the Great, ruler of Wessex, the fourth
major kingdom, kept England from becoming a Danish nation. Defeated
the Danes and united the southern kingdoms as one country. Earned
the title of bretwalda, or King of Britain.
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ALFRED THE GREAT After securing the future of the English
nation, Alfred turned his attention to education and learning.
Believed the success of the nation lay on spreading education and
Christianity. Rebuilt the monasteries destroyed by the Vikings.
Translated many books into the Old English language, including
works of history, philosophy, and religion.
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ALFRED THE GREAT Sponsored the writing of The Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle, which was a year-by-year account of English history up
to his time. This is one of the most valuable sources of
information about the period. Without Alfred the Great, we would
have no Anglo-Saxon literature.
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THE END OF THE ANGLO-SAXON ERA Between 925 and 939 A.D., King
Athelston of the West Saxons conquered northern Britain. This
finally formed all of the kingdoms into one nation. He was the
first king of all England. However, Anglo-Saxon peace did not last
long.
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THE END OF THE ANGLO-SAXON ERA In 960 another wave of Danish
invasions began, and in 1016, the Danish King Canute was named
king. Soon after, the country briefly passed back into English
control. In 1066, the Norman duke William the Conqueror defeated
the English king at the Battle of Hastings, bringing the
Anglo-Saxon Era to a close.