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The Anglo-Saxons. 449-1066. Great Britain. Invaded by Iberians (came from Iberian Peninsula) Celts Romans Anglo Saxons Vikings Normans These invasions shaped the country. Celts. Known to be in England since 300 B.C. 700 B.C. they dominated western and central Europe
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The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066
Great Britain • Invaded by • Iberians (came from Iberian Peninsula) • Celts • Romans • Anglo Saxons • Vikings • Normans • These invasions shaped the country
Celts • Known to be in England since 300 B.C. • 700 B.C. they dominated western and central Europe • Artisans – introduced iron to the rest of Europe • Farmers • Warriors • Language was dominant until 500 A.D. • Language was the basis for • Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Irish (Wales, Scotland, Ireland)
Celts • One of the groups of Celts, Brythons, formed the basis for the name Britain • The legend of King Arthur was based on Celtic legends about one of their Chieftains • William Butler Yeats used Celtic legends as basis for his poetry • Celtic legends included strong powerful women
Animism • Practiced by the Celts • “Spirits/Fairies” inhabit and controlled everything • Priests were called Druids • Occasionally ritual dances were necessary • Occasionally human sacrifice was necessary • Beliefs led the way for many fantastical stories
Romans • Julius Caesar leads an invasion in 55 B.C. • Romans kept other invaders away from Britain for several hundred years • Built 5,000 miles of roads • Enabled trade, taxes, and military • Christianity is introduced • Left Britain in 409 A.D.
Roman Departure • Left Britain in 409 A.D. • Left Britain governmentless • Left Britain open for more invasions
Anglo-Saxons • Angles and Saxons came from Germany • Jutes came from Denmark
Anglo-Saxons • Began as groups of families led by a chief • Farmers • Metal Workers • Anglo-Saxon language became the dominant language • Coined the name England
Anglo-Saxons • Not barbarians but warfare was common • Loyalty was tantamount • Ensured survival • Rewarded by leaders in form of gifts • Fame and success were gained by loyalty to the leader • Success was measured by • gifts from the leader • Fame: immortality could be found through recognition for heroic deeds
King Alfred aka Alfred the Great • Unified the many groups together to fight the Danes/Vikings • Rebuilt cities that had been destroyed during invasions • Revived interest in learning • Helped spread the use of English as a common language which allowed it to gain respect • Started the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a record of Anglo-Saxon history • Translated and wrote works
Anglo-Saxon Religion • Woden • God of death, poetry, and magic • Led to the word Wednesday (Woden’s Day) • Could help humans communicate with spirits • Associated with burial rites and trances • Thunor • God of thunder and lightning • Led to the word Thursday (Thunor’s Day)
Anglo-Saxon Virtues • Bravery • Rough life with constant invasions and harsh conditions • Loyalty • Rewarded because leaders needed to know they had help • Generosity • Tokens of appreciation for bravery and loyalty • Friendship
Dragons • Important part of Anglo-Saxon beliefs • Protectors of treasure • Associated with the Vikings/Danes • Carved on their ships • Embodiment of evil and death
Bards • Scops • Talented story tellers • Sang stories of heroes and gods • Sung with a harp • As important to society as warriors • Sang sad stories of bravery and hardships • To be a hero of a story was the ultimate reward – FAME • Used common phrases to remember their stories
Christianity • 432 all of Ireland converted • Irish monks formed monasteries for refugee scholars • Eventually replaced the Anglo-Saxon religion • Linked England to Europe
Monasteries • Centers of learning • Preserved stories by copying them by hand
Living Quarters—Mead Halls A reconstructed Anglo-Saxon home located in West Stow in Sussex, England • Mead Hall • center of life • sleeping quarters • dining area • meeting place
Sutton Hoo • Located in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England • Discovered in 1939 • Burial ship of an Anglo-Saxon king • Burial site contained 41 items of solid gold and 37 gold coins
Anglo-Saxon Brooch • Anglo-Saxon pendant probably made in the 7th century AD • found in garden soil at Sacriston, County Durham. • made of solid gold with a goldwire or filigree decoration.
7th century helmet • Reconstructed from hundreds of corroded iron fragments