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Medieval England. Anglo-Saxon artifacts from the Sutton Hoo burial. “The Middle Ages”. Called this because it’s just the period stuck between the collapse of the Roman Empire (around 470 AD) and the Renaissance (15 th Century)
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Medieval England Anglo-Saxon artifacts from the Sutton Hoo burial
“The Middle Ages” Called this because it’s just the period stuck between the collapse of the Roman Empire (around 470 AD) and the Renaissance (15th Century) Often seen as having nothing of importance to offer in terms of advancement in society.
“The Middle Ages” Also called “The Dark Ages” because of a perceived lack of literacy and slow advance of learning. This is an inaccurate assumption. While it’s true that the common person was illiterate, a great deal of knowledge was preserved in monasteries, particularly in the British isles.
The Celts Prior to Roman colonization, the British isles were settled by Celtic tribes such as the Britons, Picts, and Scots They spoke various forms of Gaelic Tribes often fought amongst themselves for territory and power
The Celts Most tribes were pagan and their religious leaders were called druids Some had been converted to Christianity under the Romans but the new Christian theology was often mixed with the older pagan tradition
The Romans When the Romans annexed Britain, they brought a great deal of stability Although they were at times brutal rulers, Roman governors could easily repel other groups trying to invade the islands
The Invasions After the fall of the Roman Empire, mass chaos ensued Celtic tribes were left virtually powerless to protect themselves against invaders Seafaring warriors from the area of Europe which is now northern Germany and Denmark began attacking the Britons
The Invasions These tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) were successful in pushing the native Britons out of most of England Celtic tribes retreating to the areas around the edges: Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (which accounts for differences in language and culture today)
Anglo-Saxon Life • After the invasion, they settle into a fairly peaceful agricultural lifestyle (with the occasional blood-feud against neighboring clans, of course).
Anglo-Saxons The Anglo-Saxons practiced a different pagan faith than the Celts. Their primary god was named Odin and their gods myths are similar to those of the Vikings Missionaries from Ireland converted many to Christianity in the 6th century But again, in those early years theologies blend together and overlap
Anglo-Saxon Literature With the rise of Christianity in England, literacy rose again. People, especially monks, wrote about religious subjects, mostly in Latin Some poetry is written in Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons and was then copied and preserved by monks
Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry was originally an oral tradition It would be memorized by story tellers who would travel around and retell them in exchange for food, shelter, etc. These people were highly revered because of the heroic stories they shared
Anglo-Saxon Poetry • Alliteration: the repetition of consonants within a line of poetry • Caesura: breaks or pauses in the middle of a line • Kenning: compound words that describe something and are used instead of the actual name • These aspects create a predictable, even hypnotic rhythm in the original language
Beowulf in Old English …Stīđondstyl-ecg; strengegetruwode, mundgripemægenes. Swāsceal man don ÞonnehēætgūđgegānÞenceđ longsumnelof; … (line 1533-1536)
Beowulf in Translation hurled the steel-edge; his strength must be in his mighty hand-grip. So must a man do who intends to gain long-lasting glory in battle
Anglo-Saxon Society • The basic unit of society was the clan, a group of people connected by kinship • The leader of the clan was a king or lord • He would surround himself with warriors who had sworn loyalty to him • They were duty bound to fight to the death for him, whenever he asked.
The Role of the Lord • In return, he provided them with food, mead, shelter, and social interaction in his great hall
The Role of the Lord • The king was bound by duty and honor to reward his warriors with gold for the services they provided him • Poetry of the time condemns lords who are stingy with gold and praises those who give freely: “đatwæsgudkönig”
Beowulf in Context The story of Beowulf is set within this context of lord and retainers coexisting in the meadhall. Beowulf begins as a young warrior, looking to prove his worth by accomplishing great and heroic deeds. He eventually earns a crown for himself and must become a good and generous king.
For Further Online Reading • http://www.phancocks.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/localhistory/AS%20farmstead.jpg • www.mylearning.org/image-zoom.asp?jpageid=701... • www.florin.ms/aleph4.html