The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066

1. The Anglo-Saxons449-1066 “Anglo-Saxon England was born of warfare, remained forever a military society, and came to its end in battle.” --J.R. Lander English 12 - Lomauro

2. The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066 • England – relatively small island of Great Britain that has been invaded and settled many times • First by Iberians • Then by Celts • Then by Romans • By the Angles and Saxons • By the Vikings • By the Normans • How might this series of invasions and settlements shape culture?

3. The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066 • Celtic Heroes and Heroines • In 4th century, Greeks found an island in Great Britain inhabited by tall, blonde warriors called Celts. • Among them was a group called the Brythons (Britons) • Religion was a form of animism – or the idea that spirits were everywhere in the world, controlling all of existence, and must be satisfied. • Priests called Druids were intermediaries between gods and people • Ritual dances, ritual sacrifices • Some believe that Stonehenge was used by Druids for religious rites associated with solar and lunar cycles

4. The Anglo-Saxons 449-1066 • Mythology of Celts has influenced English and Irish writers until today. • Sir Thomas Malory (15th cent.) produced Le MorteDarthur, a collection of Celtic legends about a warrior mixed with other chivalric legends from the continent. • About the king who ultimately became the embodiment of English values • Can you think of a contemporary literary figure who is an embodiment of modern American values? • Celtic legends are filled with strong women, while Anglo-Saxon legends tend to be male-dominated

5. The Anglo-Saxons • The Romans • Britons were finally conquered by the legions of Roman, beginning with an invasion led by Julius Caesar in 55 B.C. and ended with one by emperor Claudius 100 years later. • Romans provided armies and military organization that shielded Britain from other invaders for several centuries • Built network of roads, defensive walls • Christianity gradually came to the fore under the leadership of European missionaries • The old Celtic religion diminished

6. The Anglo-Saxons • By 409 A.D., Romans had evacuated their troops from Britain • Left excellent infrastructure, but no central government • Without Roman control, Britain was a country of separate clans, leading to overall weakness and susceptibility to other invasions

7. The Anglo-Saxons • The Anglo-Saxons • In the middle of the 5th century, Angles and Saxons from Germany and Jutes from Denmark crossed the North Sea. • Drove out the old Britons, settled the greater part of Britain • Language of the Angles and Saxons became the dominant language in the land, which was newly named • Engla land, then England

8. The Anglo-Saxons • At first, Anglo-Saxon England was politically fragmented • Country divided into several principalities, each with its own unofficial king • Wasn’t until King Alfred of Wessex (r. 871-899), a.k.a. Alfred the Great, led the Anglo-Saxons against invading Danes that England became a true, unified nation • Danes – fierce Viking peoples (pirates) who plundered and destroyed anything in their path • Danes eventually took over and settled in parts of northeast and central England • Can you think of an example where fighting a common enemy creates a sense of cohesion and unification in an otherwise polarized nation?

9. The Anglo-Saxons • Gradual emergence of Christianity in Britain • Helped to unify the Anglo-Saxons • Irish and Continental missionaries converted the Anglo-Saxon kings • Subjects converted also • Provided a common faith and commonly held system of morality and appropriate conduct • Linked England to the rest of Europe • Was instrumental in uniting Anglo-Saxons in fighting the Danes • Battle continued until both Anglo-Saxons and Danes were defeated in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy (France)

10. The Anglo-Saxons • Anglo-Saxon Life • Sutton Hoo – discovered in 1939 in Sutton,England • Was a ship grave that was buried with a king or noble warrior • No trace of a body left, but a sword was found along with other treasures • In Beowulf, the main character is given a similar burial mound

11. The Anglo-Saxons In 2009, the largest Anglo-Saxon hoard was found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7n_OCj0ehY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtXAIvG2b08 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Me49C9EXQ

12. The Anglo-Saxons • Sutton Hoo tells us that the Anglo-Saxons were not barbarians, although they are often portrayed that way • Life was not about luxury, art, or education • Life revolved around warfare • Leadership was key – law and order was the responsibility of the leader of any group • Fame, success, survival all depended on loyalty to a leader, especially during war • Success was measured by gifts one received from their leader

13. The Anglo-Saxons Loyal dependency was a key trait of Anglo-Saxon Life Came from the need to be protected from enemies, especially during the winter Many lived close to animals in family homesteads, wooden buildings that surrounded the fire-lit chieftain's hall Protected by a wooden fence Gave a sense of security, close relationship between leader and followers Made it easy to have community decision-makingand rule by consensus

14. The Anglo-Saxons Religion – based on concept of warrior god Odin – god of death, poetry, magic – one of most important Also called “Wodin” – played a big part in burials, poetry Followers maintained a somber look on life Thunor or Thor – god of thunder and lightning Dragon was another important figure, protector of treasure Also seen as a symbol of death Overall, Anglo-Saxon religion was very concerned with ethics – values like bravery, loyalty, generosity Scops – story tellers who sang of gods and heroes, were considered to have equal status as warriors What does this tell us about their society?