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Explore the historical background of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods in Britain, from the conquest of the Celts to the Norman Conquest. Learn about the literature of the time, including heroic and elegiac poetry, chivalry, courtly love, and the emergence of a national identity.
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From Legend to History:Anglo Saxon and Medieval Periods(449 – 1485 A.D.)
Historical Background:Conquest of Britain - Celts and Brythons (“Britons”) invaded British Isles between 800 and 600 B.C. - 55 B.C. Romans invade – more sophisticated - ruled for more than 300 years • Anglo-Saxons invade (from present-day Germany) • Became the basis of English culture (Old English language
Historical Background:Christianity • Anglo Saxons had invaded/settled by 300 AD • Believed in fate; heroic warriors • Century later - Celts fled with religion and their church thrived • Rome fell to barbarians • Christianity began at the top and spread
Historical Background:Norman Conquest • “North men” – descendants of Vikings • William the Conqueror • Feudalism – exchange of property for personal service • King owned all land • Work to be able to gain land
Historical Background:Magna Carta • Richard I – military expeditions overseas – country in great debt • King John – inherited debt – raised taxes to pay debts • Led to near civil war • Magna Carta – document – 1215 AD • King promised not to tax lands without first meeting with barons
Literature of the Period:Anglo Saxon • Chivalry – code of honor intended to govern knightly behavior • Courtly Love – concept rarely met in real life – served as inspiration for literature
Literature of the Period:Anglo Saxon • Began with spoken verse and incantation • Heroic poetry – recounts achievements of warriors • Elegiac poetry – laments death of loved ones and loss of past • Beowulf • One of the manuscripts that survived destruction
Literature of the Period:Middle Ages • Lyric poems • Secular – love, nature; more like every day events • Religious • Ballad – Robin Hood • Emerging National Identity • 1454 – Johann Gutenberg invents printing press • Canterbury Tales – Geoffrey Chaucer • First stories ever printed by machine