Introduction to the Anglo Saxons (449-1066 A.D.)

1. Introduction to the Anglo Saxons(449-1066 A.D.)

2. There were 7 groups of peoples who invaded and settled in Great Britain throughout its history: • Iberians (Spain) • Celts (indigenous people from British Isles) • Romans (Italy) • Angles (Germany) • Saxons ( northern Germany & the Netherlands) • Vikings (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) • Normans (northern France)

3. The Spirit of the Celts • When Greek travelers visited modern Great Britain in the 4 B.C., the group of warriors they found there were called… • Celts • Brythons - Britons

4. The Spirit of the Celts • The Celts followed a religion known as Animism or “spirit” - They saw spirits in all natural things --ponds, trees, fire, & thunder • These spirits controlled all aspects of existence & had to be constantly • satisfied.

5. The Spirit of the Celts • Celtic priests were called Druids • Intermediaries between the gods & people • Druids memorized the history of their people & the secrets of their faith • Ritualistic dances and human sacrifices were also used.

6. The Spirit of the Celts • Some think a strange, stone-like structure on the Salisbury Plain known as Stonehenge was used by the Druids for religious rites. • Some say it is an ancient clock.

7. Celtic Warriors • Used a blue dye known as woad to give them such a terrifying appearance in battle. • They were very tall and athletically built • Fought naked • Carried long spears • Used a fierce battle cry to intimidate their opponents • Fought to show how brave they were, not to gain land or riches

8. The Romans: The Great Administrators • Julius Caesar led the invasion of Briton in 55 B.C. • Introduced two architectural additions to Briton • Roads • Defensive wall – Hadrian’s Wall • Approximately 70 mile long wall was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian to keep the 'barbarian' Picts from Scotland out of Roman Britain.

9. The Romans: The Great Administrators • Christianity became a unifying force in Britain which caused the “old ways” of the Celts to vanish • Romans evacuated Britain in 409 A.D., without leaving a central government there • Britain became a country of separate clans or tribes • This made Britain so weak after the Roman invasion that it was susceptible to pagan invasions.

10. The Anglo-Saxons Sweep Ashore • In the middle of the 5th century Britain was attacked by • Angles (Germany) • Saxons (northern Germany & Netherlands) • Jutes (Denmark) -Anglo-Saxon became the dominant language after these invasions • The new name of Britain after these invasions • Engla land or England

11. The Anglo-Saxons Sweep Ashore • The Celts retreated to Wales as a result of the invasions from the north • Arthur – a Welsh chieftain – developed in legend as Britain’s “once and future king” • Name of novel about Arthur’s life by T.H. White

12. Unifying Forces: Alfred the Great and Christianity • King Alfred of Wessex was the Anglo-Saxon king who led his people to victory against the invading Danes & established England as one nation.

13. Unifying Forces: Alfred the Great and Christianity They used established pagan holidays to partner with Christian holidays to make the conversion easier. • The Irish and continental missionaries were responsible for converting the Anglo-Saxon people to Christianity.

14. Unifying Forces: Alfred the Great and Christianity • William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the Danes in Britain in 1066 – Battle of Hastings • Also known as William the Conqueror

15. What Does Anglo-Saxon Mean? • Anglo Saxon society developed from kinship groups led by a strong chief • People farmed, maintained local government, and created fine crafts especially metalwork. • Christianity eventually replaced old warrior religion, linking England & continental Europe. • Monasteries were centers for learning & preserved works from the older, oral tradition. • English – not just the Church’s Latin- gained respect a as a written language.

16. Anglo-Saxon Life as Described by the findings at Sutton Hoo • Warfare was a dominant influence on daily life • Law and order was the responsibility of the leader of a group- family, clan, tribe, or kingdom. • Fame and survival only came from loyalty to the leader (comitatus) • Loyalty grew out of a need to protect the group from the enemy

17. Role of Women in Anglo-Saxon Culture • They had rights • Could inherit & own property. • Christian women could join religious communities (convents) & even became powerful abbesses.

18. Anglo-Saxon Religion:Gods for Warriors • Odin (pronounced Woden) was the most important Norse god • He represented death, poetry, and magic • Thor or Thunor was the god of thunder • His symbols- hammer and swastika

19. Anglo-Saxon Religion:Gods for Warriors • Dragon (firedrake)– Significant figure in Anglo-Saxon mythology personifies “death the devourer” • Guards the grave mound of warriors’ ashes and treasure

20. The Bards: Singing of Gods and Heroes • Scops or bards told stories of Anglo-Saxon history and heroes through oral tradition – memorizing stories & passing them along by word of mouth • Scops were very important in Anglo-Saxon culture • The only thing that could help an Anglo-Saxon’s memory live on after death was to have his story retold in poetry.

21. The Christian Monasteries:The Ink Froze • Scriptorium: A writing room used to copy manuscripts by hand • Monks wrote in Latin, the language of the Catholic Church • as a result, it became the language of serious study in England

22. The Rise of the English Language • King Alfred had a chronical written of England’s history from its earliest days until 1154 A.D. • Anglo Saxon Chronicle • As a result, English began to gain respect as a language of culture • Only then did the Old English stories & poetry preserved by the monks come to be recognized as great works of literature.