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Anglo-Saxon Lecture

Anglo-Saxon Lecture. Fall 2011. ENGLAND.

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Anglo-Saxon Lecture

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  1. Anglo-Saxon Lecture Fall 2011

  2. ENGLAND A towering circle of ancient stones, draped in the mist of centuries. The clatter of horses’ hooves, the clash of swords and spears. A tiny island whose motley tongue would become the language of the world, and laws, customs, and literature would help form Western civilization. This is England, and the story begins here.

  3. Map of England

  4. Anglo-Saxon Period (Dark Ages) • Difficult life • Bloody conflicts, violence, barbarism • Literature • Reflects reality of the time • Serious minded people • Little humor in literature • Stories & poems present heroic struggle • Only strong survive

  5. Stonehenge • Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2200 BC • Three reasons • Religious rituals • Calendar • Way to contact extra-terrestrial beings • Winter equinox & summer solstice • The Sun and the gaps in structure

  6. Stonehenge image

  7. Roman Influence • Julius Caesar—55 BC • False claim of victory • Claudius—43 AD • Success • Aspects of Society • Cities • Roads • Trade, tax collection & troop movement • Written scholarship • Christianity

  8. Roman Influence • “Romanized” Britons adoption • Urban lifestyle • Lived in villas • Frequented public baths • Evacuation • Returned to Rome in early 5th century to help defend empire against invaders • England became a target for attack without Roman protection

  9. Anglo-Saxons • Arrived around 449 AD • King Arthur • Celtic chieftain • Battled invaders • Celts • Believed human soul lied within the head • Strong women folk legends • Basis for English culture and language

  10. Vikings • Invaded in 790s • Seafaring marauders from Denmark and Norway • Alfred the Great • Defeated the Danes • Unified the English • Learning and culture flourished • Anglo-Saxon Chronicle • Record of English history

  11. Norman Conquest • Edward the Confessor • 1042 ascended to the throne • No children • Swore to make French cousin William, Duke of Normandy, his heir (according to William) • Death in 1066 • Harold named as successor • William revolted

  12. Battle of Hastings • 1066 • Harold dies • On Christmas Day, William is crowned king • WILLIAM the CONQUEROR • Ended Anglo-Saxon dominance • Noble families lost land and became peasants

  13. Spread of Christianity • Pagan religion • Wyrd—god of all controlling fate • Days of the week • Tui-god of war—Tuesday • Woden-father of gods—Wednesday • Thor-god of thunder—Thursday • Comitatus • Bond between a warrior and his followers

  14. Christianity Arrival • 597 AD • Roman missionary Augustine arrives • Establishes monastery in Canterbury • Pagan traditions and beliefs still evident • Monasteries • Intellectual • Literary • Artistic • Social Activity

  15. Record of English people • Clergy at monastery • Venerable Bede • A History of the English Church and People • Vikings destroyed monasteries • Wanted to rid all trace of cultural refinement

  16. Epic Tradition • Early literature took form of epic poem • Praised deeds of heroic warriors • Reality of life • Mead halls • Nobles and kings gathering place • Scops—professional poets who brought poems to life

  17. Epics as Entertainment • More than entertainment • History lesson • Moral sermon • Pep talk • Instilled cultural pride • Taught how a true hero would behave

  18. Epic • Epic • Poem that tells the story of a great hero and reflect the values of the culture from which it comes • Celebrates a hero’s deeds • Historical • Kennings • Descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun • Example: Noun-police kenning-law enforcer

  19. Epic Hero Traits • Superior to other men • Larger than life actions • Still human • Vulnerable • Capable of death • Christian characteristics • Kindness • Loyalty • Gentleness • Strives for honor and fame

  20. Beowulf Poet • Oldest surviving epic • Chanted or sung aloud • Author anonymous • Middle 7th century to late 10th century • Christian influence evident in poem • Character of Beowulf • Hero who comes to rescue people • Surviving copy • 1000 AD

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