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Anglo-Saxon & Medieval Literature Background

Anglo-Saxon & Medieval Literature Background. Years: 449-1485. Before 449. Julius Caeser came to the isle “Briton” around year 55 B.C People he met: Britons  Celtic people Picts  “leftovers” from pre-Celtic civilization Gaels- Celtic speakers

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Anglo-Saxon & Medieval Literature Background

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  1. Anglo-Saxon & Medieval Literature Background Years: 449-1485

  2. Before 449 • Julius Caeser came to the isle “Briton” around year 55 B.C • People he met: Britons Celtic people Picts “leftovers” from pre-Celtic civilization Gaels- Celtic speakers • Britons were skilled people- knew metal work, agriculture, etc. • Caeser’s people returned to Briton about 100 years later…

  3. Roman Armies Invade • Conquered the Britons • Drove the Picts north to what is now Scotland • Britain became a providence of the Roman Empire & cities were introduced, stone roads, written language, & Christianity • Not all is well for long…Romans return to Rome to defend city, Britain becomes a target of invasion too

  4. The Anglo-Saxon Period • Years 449-1066 • Angles, Saxons, & other Germanic tribes left their homes & settled in Britain’s eastern & southern shores • Britain’s tried to stop the invasions, lost. • Had to go towards Cornwall & Wales. In with the Gaels, Celtic culture disappeared.

  5. Heptarchy • 7 kingdoms • Kent, Jutes, Saxons of Sussex, Essex, Wessex, East Anglia, Merica, Northumbria, • We call them…. “Anglo-Saxons” • Violent people, wanders, believed in fate

  6. The Growth of Christianity • Britain had few Christians left, but Christianity never really died completely. • Who was the man that was converting people in Ireland? (Gales became Christian) • Gales moved to Scotland- Christianity there too. • Augustine arrived and set up a monastery, by 690 all of Britain was at Christian.

  7. The Danish Invasions • The Danes aka Vikings came to Britain to destroy the monasteries. Began to take control of northern & eastern England. • No success in South because Alfred the Great • 878 & 886 agreed to accept Christianity • Fighting resumed after AtG died • Edward the Confessor came to throne in 1042, no children, swore William of Normandy (or so he said) • Harold was named heir, Edward & Harold died in battle. William aka William the Conqueror was crowned king of England (1066).

  8. The Medieval Period1066-1485

  9. What does the word “medieval” mean? • William introduced Feudalism. What is feudalism? • King owns all the land---- gives a ¼ to church, keeps ¼ for himself, loans out the rest to nobles, barons, and on down the ladder. • Barons, knights, ________________, Anglo-Saxons (they were serfs aka peasants who were bound to land that they could not own. • Barons were encouraged to build strong castles so that they could defend this hierarchy in the countryside.

  10. Who Was After William? • His son, Henry 1, Henry died so his daughter Matilda and nephew Stephen. Matilda’s son Henry II then took the throne. • Henry II reformed the judicial system, established juries, formed England’s common law. • Henry’s wife, Eleanor was French. She brought the ideas of chivalry, code of honor

  11. What is the “Code of Honor”? • Knights were expected to follow this. • Honor and protect ladies • Go on holy quests- the Crusades (Henry’s son Richard I went on these. John his brother plotted against him while he was gone. • Richard I died -- royal treasury was bankrupt • Forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215

  12. Decline of Feudalism • Commoners power was increasing • Trade was up because of the Crusades • Townspeople created groups so that trade would flow • With more people living in towns, disease also was on the rise. • The plague could spread rapidly

  13. Schools on the Rise

  14. The 100 Years’ War • John Wycliffe- an Oxford scholar, led an effort to end widespread church corruption. • 100 Years’ War- struggle between England and France that started in 1337, lasted longer than 100 years. • Black Death- killed 1/3 of England’s population during this time.

  15. The Fighting Continues… • Joan of Arc stepped up to be leader • War ends in 1453, England lost all French possessions. • On verge of conflict with 2 families claimed the throne. • The House of York (white rose) • The House of Lancaster (red rose)

  16. The War of Roses • Fighting ends in 1485 • Lancaster house (Henry Tudor) kills Richard III. Henry took throne as Henry VII. • This is the stopping point for the Medieval Ages in England.

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