Anglo-Saxon Period

1. Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066

2. The Celts A people who came to Britain from the European countries Irish, Scottish,Welsh, Brythons (Britons or British)

3. They were… farmers and hunters Herne the Hunter, the probable source for Robin Hood

4. Their society was organized into clans ruled by tribal chieftains

5. They were also head-hunters…"Amongst the Celts the human head was venerated above all else, since the head was to the Celt the soul, centre of the emotions as well as of life itself, a symbol of divinity and of the powers of the other-world." Paul Jacobsthal, Early Celtic Art.

6. Celtic mythology is full of stories of the severed heads of heroes and the saints who carry their decapitated heads.

7. Druids: pagan priests of the Celts …composed hymns, poems, and historical records; studied movements of heavenly bodies; served as judges; and conducted religious ceremonies at places such as Stonehenge.

9. Roman Period: 54-55 BC—Julius Caesar—led forces defeating the Britons but left without establishing a colony

10. 43 AD—Claudius conquered Britain introducing Roman law, culture, and Latin language to the island.

11. The Romans built roads, spas, and military fortifications, like Hadrian’s Wall

12. The Romans established a colony in Britain with the first capital Colchester then later in Londinium

13. 60 AD—Prasutagus—King of a Celtic tribe died; Boudica (his wife) destroyed London and Colchester—and very nearly defeated the Roman army Statue of Boudica near Westminster Pier, with her two daughters upon a chariot.

14. By 500-all Romans left Britain to defend Rome from foreign invaders

15. Germanic Invasions Germanic invaders arrived from Scandinavia, crossing the North Sea—These were the Norsemen, better known as Vikings.

16. The historical King Arthur fought against the Germanic invaders.

17. Three Major Germanic Tribes

18. Angles—established kingdoms in the northern and midland sections of the island • Northumbria • Mercia • East Anglia

19. Jutes—from the Jutland peninsula—conquered South-Western England— The kingdom of Kent

20. Saxons—established kingdoms in the south • Wessex • Essex • Sussex

21. …since the Angles were the most prominent tribe, the country became known as Angle-land and eventually…England!

22. Anglo-Saxons brought Germanic legends and cultural aspects to Britain

23. Gods • Tui—god of war • Woden—king of gods • Thor—god of thunder and sky • Freia—goddess of home • Wyrd—fate—a goddess We get the names of the week from these gods!

24. Cultural Aspects: Anglo-Saxon society was organized into a class system • Comitatus—A warrior band • Witenagemont—council of elders • Chieftains—Leaders of tribes • Thanes—class of ruling warriors, like earls

25. Cultural Aspects:Continued • Churls—freemen, peasants • Thralls—slaves • Nithing—a person who disgraced himself and was generally exiled

26. Revenge In the name of Honor, revenge was a way of life. Ways to satisfy a wrong: • Redress in kind (an eye for an eye) • Wergild ("man money")—payment in treasure • Political marriages

27. Warrior Code • Undying allegiance to a lord • Generosity of leaders • Materialism • Reputation/Fame • Boasting

28. Meadwine made from fermented honey • Mead halls places where kings would entertain guests, friends, and retainers

29. Scops-Minstrels or bards-Composed lays or songs celebrating heroic deeds • Entertainer, Historian, Public Relations man

30. Craftsmanship Metalwork

31. Jewelry

32. Tapestries

33. Carvings

34. Elements of Anglo Saxon Poetry: -Oral Tradition -Rhythmic/musical -Alliteration -Kennings -Caesura

35. Other Aspects of Anglo Saxon Poetry • Elegiac tone • Mixture of paganism and Christianity • Often deals with the winter and the sea