Transcript Anglo Saxon - TeacherWeb

Anglo-Saxon England
449-1066 A.D.
(What centuries?)
England
+
Scotland
+
Northern Ireland
+
Wales =
United Kingdom
or Great Britain
Flag of Scotland
Flag of Northern Ireland
Flag of England / Britain
Flag of Wales
It's a composite flag of England's St. George's Cross (the
centered red cross bordered in white), St. Andrew's Cross of
Scotland (the diagonal white cross on the blue field), and the
Patron Saint of Ireland (diagonal x-shaped red saltire).
History of Great Britain
•Physically isolated from the continent – much more
susceptible to invaders
•English traditions and language “molded”
•Celts—first settlers (700 BC – 4th century)
•Introduced iron to Europe
•Religion - spirits of the land that controlled all aspects of life (animism)
•Druids—religious intermediaries for people to gods
•Mythology of Celts influential to writers—King Arthur’s adventures by
Sir Thomas Malory
History of Great Britain, cont.
•Roman general Julius Caesar tries to conquer
British Isles in 55 B.C.
•Julius Caesar quickly claims a victory for Rome yet
returns home, leaving Britons, Picts and Gaels alone.
• Claudius Caesar returns to British Isles 100 years later to lay claim to
J. Caesar’s “conquered property” – becomes known as part of Roman
Empire.
• Positive influence – developed cities (Hadrian’s Wall), roads and
education and introduced Christianity – “Romanizing” British Isles and
its people
• Dependent upon Rome for everything, especially military.
• After roughly 300 years, Romans return home to help salvage their
mother land, leaving British Isles defenseless.
Hadrian’s Wall—built for protection by Romans
History of Great Britain, cont.
• Around 449 A.D., the Angles, the Saxons and many other Germanic
tribes invade and fight the Britons.
• Britons are defeated and pushed to Cornwell, Wales, Scotland and
Brittany, France.
• Main part of Britain settled by the
Anglo-Saxons and renamed land
“Angle-land” (England).
• New culture and new language of
the people of “Angle-land”:
Old English
History of Great Britain, cont.
• Anglo-Saxons constantly on the defense, both foreign and local.
•
In 790’s, the Vikings (Danes) invade and plunder – realize “Angle-land” is
much more pleasant than Denmark / Norway during the winter months –
establish settlements in the north and east of the country.
• Unity of the Anglo-Saxon people needed
to protect their country – both Christianity
and King Alfred the Great helped do just that.
• Alfred the Great – wonderful leader;
pushed development in both culture and
education (commissioned Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,
which recorded English history).
Anglo-Saxons: warfare was the order of the day
History of Great Britain, cont.
• In 1042, King Edward (Edward the Confessor) takes the throne, one of
King Alfred’s descendants.
• Edward had no heirs to the throne – claims that he was to name his
French cousin, William of Normandy, as successor.
• After Edward’s death, nobles and church officials wanted an Englishman
to rule (Harold II) – in retribution, William of Normandy attacks and
successfully invades Britain – Norman Conquest.
•
Harold II killed at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066 and
William the Conqueror (a Frenchman) is crowned king of “Angle-land.”
• This event ends the Anglo-Saxon dominance in “Angle-land.”
History of Great Britain, cont.
• Form of artwork - Bayeux Tapestry
(a thick piece of textile fabric embroidered with colorful images).
• Roughly 230 feet long, 1.6 feet tall – commissioned by William’s brother.
• Depicts the events (roughly 50 separate scenes) leading up to the Norman
Conquest of England (including Battle of Hastings as the final scene).
• Accompanying the images are “captions” written in Latin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
•
In the beginning, Anglo-Saxons were Pagans
(a religion other than the mainstream).
•
Strong belief in wyrd (O.E. for “fate or personal destiny”)
•
Admiration given to heroic warriors who would prevail in battle.
•
Introduction of Christianity – gave Anglo-Saxon people a more positive
outlook on life – suffering on the world of man would “pay off” in the
afterlife.
•
By 300 A.D., large number of Christians inhabited England.
•
By 690 A.D., all of England was ”Christian,” even though some still held on to
some pagan traditions / beliefs.
•
Christianity will continue as a “dominant cultural force for more than a
thousand years to come” (British Literature 25).
Women in Anglo-Saxon Culture
•Women had rights: held property; was offered
morgengifu, or “morning gift” from prospective husband.
•Joined religious communities—nunneries and monasteries
(Abbesses)
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
•Law and order were the responsibility of the leader
•Lived in homesteads clustered together—showed closeness of
community to each other and leader
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
• Central location in typical Anglo-Saxon
community – communal hall (mead hall)
• Anglo-Saxon “community center”:
meetings, celebrations, special occasions
• Scops or Bards – ancient storytellers who
would tell stories and sing while playing a harp;
oral art form – stories memorized and
performed – commemorate heroic feats
• Stories were history, morality and motivation to
Anglo-Saxon people – glimpse of immortality
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
• Forms of Anglo-Saxon literature:
1. Epic poetry
2. Lyric poetry
(long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero
who embodies and reflects the values and realities of a particular society).
(shorter poems that reflected more everyday reality of Anglo-Saxon life)
• Elements of Anglo-Saxon literature:
1. Wergild
(amount paid to family of victim after death; created to stop feuds – amount of
wergild differed depending on “value” of person killed)
2. Figurative language
3. Archetypes
(alliteration, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, stock epithets,
kennings, etc.)
(characters, situations and images that are recognizable in many times
and cultures – e.g., epic hero, loyal servant, suitors’ contest, wicked temptress, ferocious
beast / creature)
• Poetry was as important as other “necessary” activities (i.e., farming,
fighting, hunting).
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
Typical conventions of an epic:
1. Setting is vast – usually includes more than one nation
2. Plot is complicated – supernatural elements and journeys
through strange / foreign lands
3. Dialogue is evident – lengthy, formal speeches given by
major characters
4. Themes are timeless – encompasses universal ideas
5. Style is sophisticated – very formal diction and very serious
tone
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
Quintessential hero of the time period:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Of noble birth or high position
Typically of great historical or legendary importance
Embodies qualities that reflect values of society
Performs “superhuman” deeds
Performs actions that determine the fate of a nation or
group of people
Anglo-Saxon Culture, cont.
Beowulf
•As important to England as Iliad and Odyssey are to Greece.
•First great work of the English national literature (record of England’s
formulating society).
•Author of Beowulf - Unknown (Anonymous).
•Scholars speculate that Beowulf was composed some time between the
seventh century and the tenth century (more certain on the where
based on subject matter).
•Only surviving manuscript dates from 1000; in British Museum in
London, England.
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/englit/beowulf/
Terminology
•Kenning – “poetic synonyms,” a descriptive phrase or compound word
used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.
“Shepard of Evil” = Grendel
•Caesura - A pause or break within a line of poetry, usually indicated by
the natural rhythm of the language.
•Stock epithet – adjectives that point out special traits of particular people
or things.
“…greater, And stronger than anyone anywhere in this
world…” = Beowulf
•Simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia
(defined in textbook if need be)