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History of English

History of English . Part I: Britons and Anglo-Saxon Period. The English language. Romans Invade: 43 A.D. 40,000 troops 4 years to consolidate power Never conquered Scottish Highlands Hadrian’s Wall – demarcation line Latin present but did not take root except in names ending in:

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History of English

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  1. History of English Part I: Britons and Anglo-Saxon Period

  2. The English language

  3. Romans Invade: 43 A.D. • 40,000 troops • 4 years to consolidate power • Never conquered Scottish Highlands • Hadrian’s Wall – demarcation line • Latin present but did not take root except in names ending in: • - chester, - cester, + caster • (castra = camp) • - Doncaster and Winchester

  4. Romans + britons(celts) • CELTIC LEGACY • Landscape Features • Place Names • - London, Thames, Avon, Tor (hill), combe or cwm (hollow/valley) • - Devon resort – Salcombe • - Welsh town – Cwmbran • Our word: SLOGAN: • SLUAGH (army or host) + GAIRM (cry) = war cry • Irish = Celtic language

  5. Roman legacy (left by 410 A.D.) Latin: family - familia library – liber millennium – mille school - schola Hadrian’s Wall Architecture Christianity: Celts (through Romans), Anglo-Saxons (through St. Augustine + King Aethelbert’s wife Bertha in 601 A.D.) Roman arch in Lincoln– once a fort, now a city

  6. Anglo-saxon legacy (to 1066) • Beowulf – 750-900 A.D. by Anonymous • Lindisfarne Gospels - 700 A.D. by Eadfrith, bishop • Sutton Hoo (Saxon ship burial) – 7th century • Language:Tiw- TuesdayThor - (Thors-day) ThursdayFriya – Friday • Place Names: Towns that end in: -ton, -wick, -worth, -burn, -hurst, -den or -ham • Framingham and Warwick – for example

  7. Anglo-saxon language • LEGACY • OUR SYNTAX: (or arrangement of words in a sentence) • PREFERENCE AND EASE WITH NOUNS • TENDENCY TO SIMPLIFY GRAMMAR & SHORTEN WORDS • “LAW OF RECESSIVE ACCENT”: tendency to place accent on first syllable and slur over rest like “quantity” and “contrary” • USE OF METAPHOR/KENNING/ALLITERATION/LITOTES • ORAL TRADITION: scops

  8. Beowulf – bee-hunter (bear) • Heroic values: • recklessness, bravery, loyalty, ruthlessness • War band (comitatus): chief + troop of warriors sworn to protect him with their lives • King or chief: generous (ring-giver) • Kinship: wergild: blood price • Religion: • comingling of Christian and pagan beliefs • Pagan: emphasis on material wealth and results and fate • Willing to try Christianity because their religion wasn’t working so well

  9. Beowulf • Example: Saxon view of God as chief of a war band • In Hrothgar's speech to thank Beowulf, he offers him everything he has as a reward. God is conceived of as the biggest and most generous war band leader: • ..you have done such a deed that your fame is assured, will live forever. May Almighty Godreward you with good, as he has today(Chickering p55)

  10. Beowulf • ALLITERATION • ~ repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a line of verse • LO, praise of the prowess of people-kingsof spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,we have heard, and whathonor the athelings won!Oft Scyldthe Scefing from squadroned foes, • KENNING • ~ compound expressions, representing a single noun • Whale-road: sea • Battle-sweat: blood • Sea-wood: ship • Shield-bearer: warrior

  11. Good vs. evil Heroes Villains • Beowulf: hero/protagonist • King Hrothgar: also victim • Wiglaf: Geat warrior • All warriors fighting demons • God • Grendel: monster/demon • Grendel’s mother/demon • Dragon: monster • Unferth: minor loser • Satan

  12. Beowulf Themes • Legacy: concern with fame after death • Good vs. Evil: heroes vs. monsters – God vs. Evil (mix of religions) • Importance of skill and strength: battle • Acquisition of Wealth: generosity and fame (promotion) • Fate and courage: meet death with honor • Importance of tradition and custom in preserving culture (giving of wealth, wergild, loyalty, boasting)

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