The Anglo-Saxon Period

1. The Anglo-Saxon Period 449-1066

2. Objectives The student will: • recognize literary forms and major literary techniques • recognize the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon period and the literary movements associated with this era

3. Read pages 2-14 and take notes using Cornell Notes format

4. Prior Knowledge What have you learned about the climate and physical environment of Britain in social studies classes? How have these factors influenced the nation’s development? What types of people are likely to deal well with conditions common to the British Isles?

5. Today’s Assignment • Read pages 2-14 in your literature book. • Complete Cornell Notes worksheet. • Please work quietly and independently. This should take you approximately 45 minutes. Stopwatch

6. Warriors from Denmark and Germany, the Angles and the Saxons, attacked Britain during the 5th century • signaled the beginning of the English language • became known as “Angles’ land” • their Germanic languages developed into a new language called “Angle-ish” • this language shaped the literature of Britain

7. Britain Before the Anglo-Saxons • Britons (Brythons) • settled on the largest island, Britain • Gaels • settled on the second largest island, Ireland • were farmers and hunters • tightly knit clans • Druids- priests • settled disputes • Presided over religious rituals • Memorized and recited long, heroic poems

8. The Roman Conquest • First invaded by Roman general Julius Caesar and later by Roman emperor Claudius • Roman legions spread across the island, establishing camps, which grew into towns. • constructed a system of well-paved roads and highways • brought their skills in the art of warfare

9. The Anglo-Saxon Conquest • Tribal life: • Each tribe was ruled by a king, who was chosen by a witan, council of elders Earls Freeman Churls Thralls

10. The Anglo-Saxon Conquest • Fate • Worshipped ancient Germanic gods • Tiu: god of war and the sky • Woden: chief of the gods • Fria: Woden’s wife and goddess of the home

11. Coming of Christianity • 4th century • In 563 a group of Irish monks established a Christian monastery on the island of Iona • Columba and his monks moved across northern Britain spreading their faith

12. Coming of Christianity • 597- arrival of Saint Augustine • Effects of Christianity • Softened the ferocity of the warrior people • Improved the conduct of the faithful • 2 Major Contributions • education • written literature

13. Christianity and Literature • established schools at Canterbury and York • In the monasteries, monks worked as scribes, recording and duplicating manuscripts, books written by hand • Latin was the language of church scholarship • Venerable Bede- “father of English history” • A History of the English Church and People

14. The First Danish Invasion • The Vikings left Scandinavia and set their sights on the British Isles • Alfred the Great • King of Wessex • Preserved the remnants of pre-Danish invasion • Encouraged a rebirth of learning and education • Translated Bede’s History

15. Anglo-Saxon Literature • Scholars believe the literature of the British Isles began with Celtic Druids

16. Anglo-Saxon Poetry • scops: professional minstrels • Responsible for history, culture, values, entertainment • gleeman: their assistants • poems followed a set formula of composition • caesura: mid-line pause • alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds • The most important poem is Beowulf • Epic: long heroic poem

17. Anglo-Saxon Poetry • Two great Christian poets: Caedmon & Cynewulf • Early Christian poetry is often referred to as Caedmonian verse • Before the reign of Alfred the Great, all important prose was composed in Latin • Monks regarded the vernacular, the language of the common people, as a vulgar tongue • After the Normans occupied England, they transformed Old English into Middle English.

18. Closing Activity On an index card, list 3 important facts you learned about the early cultures and their influence on the literature and culture of Britain?