Anglo Saxon Period

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Anglo Saxon Period

• 449-1066

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Anglo Saxon Period

• In 449, three groups invaded Britain
• Angles
• Saxons
• Jutes

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Anglo Saxon Period

• Anglo-Saxons
• Drove the natives from the eastern, central, and
  southern areas
• Became known as Angles Land or England
• Germanic language developed into Angle-ish or
  English

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Anglo Saxon Period

• Anglo Saxons
• Originally started out with several tribal units
  organized by a king.
• Witan council of elders who would choose the
  king for each tribal unit
• Tribal differences ceases, kingdoms intertwined
  until there were 7 tribes left
• 1. Essex
• 2. Wessex
• 3. Sussex
• 4. North Umbria
• 5. Mercia the Midlands
• 6. East Anglia
• 7. Kent

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Anglo Saxons Religion

• Anglo Saxons were Pagans
• Paganism polytheistic religion
• Fate vs. Personal Freedom
• Christians believe that all individuals have the
  freedom to make their own choice
• Early Anglo Saxons worshipped ancient gods of
  German mythology

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Anglo Saxons Mead Hall

• All social events began and ended at Mead Hall
• Mead Fermented beverages made from honey (Think
  of beer made from honey)
• The hall was built by the local lord or king for
  the entertainment of the Thanes
• Thanes warriors and soldiers loyal to the local
  lord or king

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Anglo Saxons Mead Hall

• Feasting Hall
• Great Hall of the King
• Safest Place in the Kingdom
• Appearance
• Rectangular
• Pointed roof
• Middle trench on the inside for fires
• Two long, low tables on each side of the trench
• Supported by rows of columns

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The Anglo Saxon Man

• Athletic
• Strong
• Seafaring
• Adventurous
• Strong belief in fair play

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Anglo Saxons Ideals

• Loyalty to Lord or King
• Great love of personal freedom
• Respect for women
• Love for glory
• Honored the truth

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Anglo Saxons Literature

• Mostly oral stories, especially riddles
• Written Poetry (Beowulf)
• Doesnt Rhyme
• Uses alliteration
• Uses Kennings
• Metaphor often hyphenated ex. Whales-path sea
• Symbolism with Seasons
• Spring Youth
• Summer Adult
• Autumn Old Age
• Winter Death

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Anglo Saxon Prose

• First written in Latin (monks were the writers or
  transcribers-monks spoke/wrote in Latin
• Anglo Saxon Chronicles-first history written in
  English-called Old English

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• http//faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Rea
  dings/Grendel.html