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The Anglo-Saxon Period Ancient Britain

The Anglo-Saxon Period Ancient Britain. Originally inhabited by the Britons & Gaels Celtic people, still evident in Irish, Welsh, Gaelic and Breton Celts were farmers and hunters, clan ruled DRUIDS were Celt priests ceremonial leaders

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The Anglo-Saxon Period Ancient Britain

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  1. The Anglo-Saxon PeriodAncient Britain • Originally inhabited by the Britons & Gaels • Celtic people, still evident in Irish, Welsh, Gaelic and Breton • Celts were farmers and hunters, clan ruled • DRUIDS were Celt priests ceremonial leaders • Celts produced myths, astronomy contributions, jewelry and earthworks

  2. Ancient Britain • 75 B.C., Britain and Celts invade by the Belgae • These people introduced new plows and methods to revolution agriculture

  3. Roman Britain • 54 B.C., Julius Caesar charges the Channel • After his victory he left, returned and defeated Britons again. • 43 B.C., Roman Emperor Claudius conqurered Briton • Language changed to Latin, roads, military forces improved. • Hadrain’s wall and colonies (such as London and Colchester) built.

  4. Boadicea – The Celtic Warrior Queen • Prasutagus, king of tribe of Britons dies, wife Boadicea is left to rule. • Romans in the meanwhile had invaded the Iceni • Boadicea and native warriors lead an offensive against the Romans, killing over 70,000. • Destroyed Colchester and London during her war • Eventually was overcome and daughters were victims of Roman rule

  5. The Coming of the Anglo-Saxons • During the 5th century, Romans returned troops to save homeland. • Leaves Britain open to other invaders • Jutes, a Danish tribe arrive invaded the southwest • Anglos and Saxons arrive and raid the eastern coast • Turf war ensues and new kingdoms established

  6. The Anglo-Saxon Arrival • Angles have 3 kingdoms in northern and middle Britain: • Northumbria • Mercia • East Anglia • Saxons create 3 kingdoms in the SOUTH Wessex (West Saxony) Essex (East Saxony) Sussex (South Saxony)

  7. The Anglo-Saxons Culture • Added legend and war to the culture • Created, “lays” or songs of heroes • Gleeman/scop • Mead Halls were places of entertainment • This was a key aspect to maintaining the oral history of the period.

  8. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Society was organized by class • Earls/Thanes- warriors • Churls- freemen • Thralls – slaves • Witenagemot- kings protection and council, elders of the kingdom • Wergild, “man-money” concept of flesh for flesh, added to warfare mentality

  9. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Death from disease, famine, war wounds common. • Coneept of WYRD or the goddess of fate, determined one’s life. • Courage in face of fate and timing may buy time, reinforcing warrior mentality

  10. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Believed that kings were from divinity • Tiu – god of war • Woden – god of gods • Thor- god of thunder and sky • Freia – goddess of home *These also were the basis of our modern weekdays.

  11. The Coming of Christianity • 5 A.D. St. Patrick converts Ireland to Christianity • Migration to England began converstion there • 604 Augustine converts England under advisement of Pope Gregory • Monasteries – religious learning centers • Scribes- produced books and maintained historical records

  12. Alfred the Great • Danes & Vikings invade in the 8th c. • Destroyed monasteries, towns and cities • Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia villages were destroyed • Alfred, King of Wessex, destroyed the Danes • Alfred was, “bretwalda”, King of England\ • Danelaw was established, Danes moved to northern England

  13. Alfred the Great • Alfred instituted education and learning • Spread the Christian faith • Initiated the translation of many books • Kept historical records via Anglo-Saxon Chronicle • Bede’s Ecclesiastical History another source of contemporary information

  14. The End of Anglo-Saxon History • 960 A.D. Danish invasions begin • 1016 William the Conquer, a Norman Duke, defeats English King Harold in the Battle of Hastings

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