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Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods

Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods. Mrs. Gugel English IV. Introduction. Beowulf was written in the Anglo-Saxon era. Around the year 525. Literature was transmitted orally instead of in writing. Runic alphabet did exist - only used for inscriptions. Beowulf was result of storytelling.

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Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods

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  1. Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods Mrs. Gugel English IV

  2. Introduction • Beowulf was written in the Anglo-Saxon era. • Around the year 525. • Literature was transmitted orally instead of in writing. • Runic alphabet did exist - only used for inscriptions. • Beowulf was result of storytelling

  3. Topics of Discussion • Brief history of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods. • Literary History • Development of language

  4. Pre-Historical/Pre-Roman • The island we know as England - occupied by a race of people called the Celts. • One of the tribes was called Brythons or Britons (where we get the term Britain).

  5. Pre-historical/Pre-Roman (con’t) • Celts were pagans - believed in “animism,” from the Latin word spirits • Druids were their priests • Role: Go between the gods and the people

  6. Important Results from Roman Occupation • Military - Strong armed forces (“legions”) • Pushed the Celts into Wales and Ireland • Prevented the Vikings from raiding for several hundred years • Infrastructure - Government fell apart when they left • Language and Writing - Latin official language • This is why English language is strongly based in Latin • Religion - Mainly Christianity

  7. Important Events in the First Anglo-Saxon Period • 410-450 - Angles and Saxons invade from Baltic shores of Germany • Nine Anglo-Saxon kingdoms eventually became the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy

  8. Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy • Heptarchy = Seven Kingdoms • Kent • Essex • Sussex • East Anglia • Northumbria • Mercia • Wessex

  9. Viking Invasions (787-1066) • Were sea-faring (explorers, traders, warriors) • Viking raids began around 787 • Led to many cultural changes...

  10. Important Results from Vikings • Politically/Culturally - still unstable - no central government or church • Linguistically - • The English language is “born” and is known as Old English • Lots of dialects of the language due to the seven kingdoms

  11. Norman Invasion (1066) • Battle of Hastings - the Normans (powerful Norman Frenchmen) defeated the English and started a conquest of England • Two most important effects: • French becomes official language of politics and power; thus, enormous influence on Old English • England begins unifying under a French political system, much of which is still with us today

  12. Beowulf Protagonist Fights Grendel Strongest warrior around Proves to be an effective ruler King Hrothgar Danish King Terrorized by Grendel Father-figure to Beowulf Role model ruler Beowulf Main Characters

  13. The Monster • Grendel • Demon from the bloodline of Cain • Attacks Hrothgar’s warriors • Evil because of what he inherited from Cain • Miserable existence is result of punishment from God because of what Cain did to Abel. • Lives for vengeance

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