Transcript Anglo-Saxon Period - english4svh / FrontPage

Anglo-Saxon Period
449-1066
The Celts
A people who came
to Britain from the
European countries
Irish, Scottish,
Welsh, Brythons
(Britons or British)
They were…
farmers and
hunters
Herne the Hunter, the
probable source for
Robin Hood
Their society
was organized
into clans ruled
by tribal
chieftains
They were also head-hunters…
"Amongst the Celts the human head was
venerated above all else, since the head
was to the Celt the soul, centre of the
emotions as well as of life itself, a symbol
of divinity and of the powers of the otherworld."
Paul Jacobsthal, Early Celtic Art.
Celtic mythology is
full of stories of
the severed heads
of heroes and the
saints who carry
their decapitated
heads.
Druids: pagan priests of the Celts
…composed hymns,
poems, and historical
records; studied
movements of
heavenly bodies;
served as judges;
and conducted
religious ceremonies
at places such as
Stonehenge.
Roman Period:
54-55 BC—Julius
Caesar—led forces
defeating the
Britons but left
without establishing
a colony
43 AD—
Claudius
conquered
Britain
introducing
Roman law,
culture, and
Latin language
to the island.
The Romans
built roads,
spas, and
military
fortifications,
like Hadrian’s
Wall
The Romans established a
colony in Britain with the first capital
Colchester then later in Londinium
60 AD—
Prasutagus—King
of a Celtic tribe
died; Boudica (his
wife) destroyed
London and
Colchester—and
very nearly
defeated the
Roman army
Statue of Boudica near
Westminster Pier, with
her two daughters
upon a chariot.
By 500-all Romans left Britain to
defend Rome from foreign invaders
Germanic Invasions
Germanic
invaders arrived
from Scandinavia,
crossing the North
Sea—These were
the Norsemen,
better known as
Vikings.
The historical
King Arthur
fought against
the Germanic
invaders.
Three Major Germanic Tribes
Angles—
established
kingdoms in the
northern and
midland sections
of the island
– Northumbria
– Mercia
– East Anglia
Jutes—from the
Jutland
peninsula—
conquered
South-Western
England—
The kingdom of
Kent
Saxons—
established
kingdoms in
the south
– Wessex
– Essex
– Sussex
…since the Angles were the most
prominent tribe, the country
became known as Angle-land and
eventually…England!
Anglo-Saxons brought Germanic
legends and cultural aspects to
Britain
Gods
• Tui—god of war
• Woden—king of gods
• Thor—god of thunder and sky
• Freia—goddess of home
• Wyrd—fate—a goddess
We get the names of the week from
these gods!
Cultural Aspects:
Anglo-Saxon society was
organized into a class system
•
•
•
•
Comitatus—A warrior band
Witenagemont—council of elders
Chieftains—Leaders of tribes
Thanes—class of ruling warriors,
like earls
Cultural Aspects:
Continued
• Churls—freemen, peasants
• Thralls—slaves
• Nithing—a person who disgraced
himself and was generally exiled
Revenge
In the name of Honor, revenge was a way of life.
Ways to satisfy a
wrong:
• Redress in kind (an
eye for an eye)
• Wergild ("man
money")—payment
in treasure
• Political marriages
Warrior Code
• Undying
allegiance to a
lord
• Generosity of
leaders
• Materialism
• Reputation/Fame
• Boasting
• Mead
wine made from
fermented honey
• Mead halls
places where
kings would
entertain guests,
friends, and
retainers
Scops
-Minstrels or
bards
-Composed lays
or songs
celebrating
heroic deeds
• Entertainer,
Historian, Public
Relations man
Craftsmanship
Metalwork
Jewelry
Tapestries
Carvings
Elements of Anglo
Saxon Poetry:
-Oral Tradition
-Rhythmic/musical
-Alliteration
-Kennings
-Caesura
Other Aspects of Anglo Saxon
Poetry
• Elegiac tone
• Mixture of
paganism and
Christianity
• Often deals with
the winter and
the sea