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The Anglo Saxons 499- 1066. The development of early England. Conquests and Invasion. Great Britain was invaded by the Iberians Celts Romans Angles & Saxons Vikings Normans. Celtic Influence . Celtic invasion in the 4 th century B.C.
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The Anglo Saxons499-1066 The development of early England
Conquests and Invasion • Great Britain was invaded by the • Iberians • Celts • Romans • Angles & Saxons • Vikings • Normans
Celtic Influence • Celtic invasion in the 4th century B.C. • Religion – animism – the belief that there is a spirit in everything These spirits often had to be appeased through ritual dances and even human sacrifices. Stories contained strong women, enchanted lands, magic, and imagination. Poetry, story, and song a major way to spread the tales of the Celts
Roman Influence • Julius Caesar invaded in 55 B.C. • Built roads • Built a wall 70 miles long • Brought Christianity to Britain • Christianity became the unifying factor between England and Europe.
Anglo-Saxon influence Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade after the Romans left in 449 A.D. The culture was very war-like and militant, but not barbaric. The Angles give the name Engle Land, which later became England. The Anglo-Saxons divided the land into principalities with rulers over each. Women in the Anglo-Saxon culture had rights; they could inherit land and money. They joined and became leaders in religious communities.
Anglo-Saxon influence - continued • Communal court or chieftain hall surrounded by single family homesteads with a wooden wall protecting • Provides a sense of relationship between the leader and the people • Provides a sense of security • Encourages communal discussion and rule by consensus • Tales of heroes tell of fame and exploits in an attempt to protect or serve the leader. • These tales demonstrate loyalty to the leader and bring fame to the hero. (ex. Beowulf)
Anglo-Saxon influence-continued • Religion – dark and fatalistic with warrior gods such as Woden and Thunor • No afterlife – stories of bards carry legend on • Dragons important • Virtues are bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship • Bards popular – poetry as important as fighting, hunting, farming, or loving • Many poems in elegiac form
Influence of the Danes • Invade and settle portions of northeast and central England – 871-899 A.D. • King Alfred of Wessex • The Angles and Danes fought but both were defeated in 1066 by William Duke of Normandy. • King Alfred institute The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history of England from early to 1154 • English Language becomes prominent and begins to overshadow Latin • Old English stories first considered great literature • Anglo-Saxon literature, much like the oral poems and stories, often recounted heroic deeds of loyal servants to the king or ruler.
Resources Youtube Holt, Rinehart and Winston