Transcript The Anglo-Saxons

The Anglo-Saxons
“Anglo-Saxon England was born of
warfare, remained forever a military
society, and came to it's end in battle.” J.R. Lander
Time-line of Events for Early Britain
300's - Celts called Brythons (Britons) live in
Britain
 Religion of Celts rich with mythological spirits
found in rocks, trees, rivers, ponds, fire, etc...
 Spirits controlled all aspects of existence.
 Druids act as intermediaries between gods and
people.
 Concerned with lunar and solar cycles, known for
Stonehenge, likely performed human sacrifice.

The Celts




Fight off Invasions from Romans beginning
with Caesar in 55 B.C. (p6 EOL)
Romans take control of Britain about 100 yrs
later.
Queen Boadicea leads Celtic revolt against
Roman invaders 61 A.D. - (p7 EOL)
Romans leaves Britain to fight other
Germanic tribes threatening the empire
closer to Rome
Queen Boadicea

Westminster Bridge,
London.
Celtic & Roman Legacy

Celts

Legends of King Arthur
would later inspire one
of the most influential
collections of medieval
literature with a hero
who would define the
values of English
culture.

Romans



Left a network of roads
some of which are still
used today.
Also left other
structures like public
baths, villas, walls (like
Hadrian's Wall (p7)
Established Christianity
as the national faith.
Roman Legacy in England

The Roman Baths, Bath,
England. The Roman Baths are
located in the city of Bath, in the
U.K. It is a major tourist
attraction, bringing in more than 1
million tourists each year.
It has had many uses as a thermal
spa over thousands of years, most
famously by the Romans, who
constructed this building in about
60AD and onwards over the next
few hundred years. When they
left in the 5th Century AD, the
baths fell into disrepair.
Changing Tides, Changing Tribes





Angles, Saxons, and Jutes begin invasion of
Britain 449
Roman Empire falls 476 AD
King Arthur rules Celts and fights invading
Germanic tribes 517 AD – dies at Battle of
Camlann 537 AD.
Saint Augustine converts Anglo-Saxon king
Ethelbert and establishes a monastery in
Canterbury. 597 AD
Beowulf first recorded 700 AD
Changing Tides, Changing Tribes
Warrior Cultures Collide



Vikings (Danes, Swedes) begin invasions of
Britain 793 AD.
Alfred the Great becomes king. He is able to unite
the tribes of Anglo-Saxons against the invaders.
Normans (Norther French tribe) defeat AngloSaxons and rule England 1066 AD.
Anglo-Saxon Life

Sutton Hoo – ship burial unearthed to reveal the
imprint of a wooden ship filled with treasure
including a belt buckle, a helmet, and jewelry, and
more
Sutton Hoo Burial
Anglo Saxon Life

Anglo-Saxon culture is a warrior culture.
Law and order is the responsibility of
leaders. Fame and success are gained
through loyalty to the leader (measured in
gifts given to the leader); Successful leaders
are those that freely give treasure to reward
bravery and loyalty – Comitatus
Anglo-Saxon Life

Lived in single family homes surrounding the
Mead Hall.
Anglo Saxon Religion




They did not believe in the afterlife
Their faith was dark and fatalistic
Had much in common with Norse and
Scandinavian mythology
Anglo Saxon religion was more concerned
with ethics, loyalty, generosity, bravery, and
friendship than mysticism.
Saxon gods – Tiw, Wodin, & Thor

Credit these gods and others for giving us the
names of the week.
Symbolic Animals


The Boar
The Dragon
The Bards: Preserving history



Also called Scops
Tellers of heroic tales that reflected the concerns of
people constantly under threat of war, disease, and
old age.
Powerful because they preserve fame in the
collective memory as a way of honoring the
greatest of heroes.
The Role of Christianity




Converted Ireland (St Patrick, 430's) becomes a
refuge from war for scholars and place for
learning.
Offered spiritual hope for the future and an
afterlife
Monasteries served as places of learning and
Preserved works of both the Ancient world and
popular Anglo-Saxon culture like Beowulf.