The Anglo-Saxon Period

1. The Anglo-Saxon Period The Birth of a Language: Old English

2. The Indo-European Family of Languages • Originated from central Europe to the steppes of southern Russia • Indian, Iranian, Armenian, Hellenic, Albanian, Italic, Balto-Slavic, Germanic, Celtic, Hittite, & Tocharian • We will focus on the Celtic, Italic, and Germanic languages

3. Britain’s First Language • Archeological records indicate that humans may have inhabited England (hereby referred to as ‘the island’) anywhere between 50,000 and 250,000 years ago. • The language that we are studying has had a history of only 1,500 years. • While historians have discovered that no civilization has gone without a language, any trace of these have been lost to time.

4. Celtic • The 1st language on the island was that of the Celtic peoples. • Celtic is divided into two dialects: Gaelic and Goidelic. • It is not known for sure how this culture made it to the island • Both dialects have contributed very little (about 50 words; mostly place-names and loanwords) • The Celtic language contains a branch witch is called the Brythonic branch. The people called themselves Brythons; this is where we get the terms Britain and British. • Today both dialects are quickly dying out

5. The Romans on the Island • The Romans first attempted conquest of the island in 55 B.C. initiated by Julius Caesar. • The Roman invasion was miscalculated and subsequently was not completed until 43 A.D, by the Emperor Claudius.. • With the Romans came their language (Latin), culture, and architecture. • The Romans occupied the island until about 410 A.D. in an area extending from the southern shores of the island to the northern boundary at Hadrian’s Wall. • The Roman military presence protected the Celtic people from outside invasion. • When the Romans had left, only about 5-10 words had entered the native language. The most significant remnant of the settlement was the architecture and the road system.

6. The Germanic Invasions • Several tribal groups speaking dialects of the Proto-Germanic tongue lived on the western borders of mainland Europe. • The tribes that invaded were the Angles, the Frisians, the Saxons, and the Jutes. • These tribes began their invasion in 449. Due to the lack of military presence, coupled with the Celtic people not having had to defend themselves from invasion in over 400 years, the Germanic invasion was swift and effective. • While the invaders were generally referred to as Saxons, Saxones, andSaxoniaby the Celts, the language of the Angles was consistently referred to as Englisc, from where we get English. • Through intensive invasion, trade, and commerce, the impact of this language was widespread and profound.

7. The Germanic Invasions

8. Effects of the Germanic Invasion • Celtic people driven to the west, Wales, and to the north, Scotland. • Germanic tongue gains dominance. • Matriarchal society replaced by patriarchal.

9. The 2nd Latin Influence • The Christianization of the island began in 597 by St. Augustine, commissioned by the later Pope Gregory the Great. • Latin was the language of the church (Papal Language) • Added around 450 words • Hierarchy of language: • Latin spoken in the church, the court, and official duties • O.E. spoken by the serfs (lower classes/the common man) • Monasteries served as hubs of education and learnedness – time period source of print

10. Anglo-Saxon Heptarchyc. 650 Heptarchy: (from Greek) Hepta- = seven -Archy = rule or government

11. The Language of Beowulf

12. First Viking Invasions • Viking (also labeled Norse, later Danish) invasions begin in 787. • Plunder and sack only. No settlement. • Mainly along NE coast • Attacked monasteries; more wealth with less defense • 787-850

13. Second Wave of Viking Invasions • Second wave begins c. 850 • Massive waves to conquer and settle • Reason: Greener lands and more favorable climate • Hit NW and NE coasts • 750-878

14. Some of the Viking Routes

15. King Alfred the Great and Danelaw Viking raids and settlement force remaining Anglo-Saxons into Somerset region (SW area/West Wales) King Alfred (of the West Saxons) gathers a large army, successfully attacks, and stops the Viking advance. Alfred signs Treaty of Wedmore with Guthrum, leader of the Vikings (later king) to establish Danelaw

16. King Alfred the Great • Nearly single-handedly saved the English tongue • Seeing that English was the language of the common people, decided to have certain Latin texts translated in O.E. • Champion of education and craftsmanship • Considered England’s greatest monarch • Compiled the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles beginning in 891 • Had Biblical texts translated to O.E. to break down language barriers: • Latin – official language of church; however, translated texts allowed the everyman to read and comprehend the Bible

17. Danelaw Treaty of Wedmore signed by Alfred and Guthrum establishing Danelaw after the Viking defeat at the Battle of Ethandune, Wessex (878) Divided the Island on a line from London to Chester giving control to the Danes in the NE half (Northumbria & East Anglia) and the SW to the Anglo-Saxons (Wessex, Sussex, Kent, & East Mercia)

19. Third Wave of Viking Invasion • Viking raids soon resume, ignoring Danelaw • All of England under Danish rule by 1017 • Scandinavian influence adds around 900 words • Different from Latin influence • Language of the people, rather than of a papal, governmental, or scholarly nature (everyday life) • Similar vocabularies allowed for a greater diversity of the language

20. 1066 – The Norman Conquest End the Old English/Anglo-Saxon Period