Title: The Anglo-Saxon Period
1The Anglo-Saxon Period
British Legends
- 449-1066
- Theme Heroes and Heroism
2Fold your paper so you have 4 boxes
3Using these boxes, tell the story of the 3 little
pigs you can write or illustrate the story, but
include as many details as possible in the time
allotted.
Where is the pigs father/mother?
Where did they get materials?
4OkaySo what?
- Oral HistoryLessons and entertainment
- British folktale
- Anglo Saxon time period
5Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from?
- Between 800 and 600 B.C., two groups of Celts
from southern Europe invaded the British Isles. - Brythons (now spelled Britons) settled on the
largest Island, Britain. - Gaels, settled on the second largest island,
known to us as Ireland.
6Similarities/Differences
- Stone Age weapons
- Celts settled onto the largest island of Britain
- Gaels settled onto the second largest island of
Ireland - Different languages but related within the Celtic
family. Similarities of grammar, sound,
structure, and vocabulary.
7The Celts
- farmers and hunters
- organized themselves into clans
- clans had fearsome loyalty to chieftains
- looked to priests, known as Druids, to settle
their disputes
8Clans
- Tight knit with loyalty to their chief. Look to
Druids (group of priests) to settle arguments. - They presided over religious rituals and also
memorized and recited long, heroic poems. This
preserved the myths of the past.
9Celtic Druids
- Believed to have begun literature.
.
10Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from?
- Roman conquest of Britain AD 43
- Britain annexed as a province in the Roman Empire
- Difficult to control such a large piece of land
- Brought Christianity to Britain around AD 300
- Pagan vs. Christian themes throughout never
fully indoctrinated at this time - The last Romans left around 407 A.D.
- Needed to defend against rebelling European
countries England left to its own devices
11(No Transcript)
12Celtic Druids
Literature began not with books, but with spoken
verse. Purpose was to pass along history and
values to a population that mostly could not
write or read. The reciting of poems often
occurred on ceremonial occasions, such as the
celebration of a military victory.
13Roman Empire
14Roman Gatehouse in BritainArbeia
15(No Transcript)
16Entertainment in words by Minstrels, Gleemen,
Scopssupposedly recited with harp.
Caesura-mid-line pause Alliteration-repetition of
consonant sound Kenning-phrase replaces concrete
noun Four-beat line Stock Epithets-adj. that
point out special traits of particular
person Reversal of word order
17Spoken word
- Heroic poetry-recounting of the achievements of
warriors involved in battle - Elegaic poetry-sorrowful laments that mourn the
death of loved ones - Created the RUNES
- www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/write-your-name-in-r
unes.html
18Roman invasion
- Romans conquered Britain in 55 BC and again
sporadically over the following years. - Left behind CampsCastras
19Castras
- Looking at your map
- Lancaster
- Winchester
- Normally located on the main roadway, also
something left behind by the Romans. - CASTRAScaster, chester, ceister.
- Later formed into towns.
20Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? Also known
as the DARK AGES
- 449AD 3 Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and
Jutes) invade. - Destruction of Roman influence, including
Christianity - New land Angle-land
- - small tribal kingdoms
- - no written language
- - supported themselves through farming and
hunting
21Anglo Saxon King and Warriorearly 7th century
22An Anglo-Saxon Hall
23An Anglo-Saxon Farmstead
Remember the 3 little pigs
West Stow reconstructed village
24Sutton Hoo
- Burial site discovered in 1939
- Important links to Anglo-Saxon world and Beowulf
- Remains of a boat were discovered and large
burial chamber containing numerous artifacts - Artifacts suggest a distinctly Christian element
intermingled with pagan ritual.
25(No Transcript)
26- Transferred their tribal units.
- Tribes were ruled by witans, council of elders.
- Still of pagan beliefgrim look at life.
- Every human life was in the hands of Fate.
Whatever was meant to happen, was already
planned. No human can determine his or her path. - Eventually, worshipped Germanic gods
- Tiu-god of war and sky
- Woden-chief of gods
- Fria-Wodens wife and goddess of home
- weekdays
27The Reemergence of Christianity
- 596AD attempt to convert Anglo- Saxons to
Christianity - 597AD Saint Augustine
- converted King Ethelbert of Kent to Christianity.
- set up a monastery in Canterbury in Kent.
- 650AD most of England is Christian some hold on
to previous beliefs - The church provided counsel to quarreling rulers
in efforts to unify the English people. - At this time, the British Isles were not unified
and included separate kingdoms with separate
rulers. They fought continuously over the
fertile, green land
28Constant Conflict
- 9th Century
- Norway invaded Northumbria (Anglo-Saxon kingdom
in northern and central England), Scotland,
Wales, and Ireland. - The Danes of Denmark targeted eastern and
southern England - Destroyed manuscripts
- Burned and plundered homes
Remember the 3 little pigs
29Alfred the GreatKing of Wessex 871-899
- 866resisted Danish intrusion and earned the
great title - Saxons acknowledged Danish rule in East and North
- Danes respected Saxon rule in South
- End of 10th CenturyDanes want to widen Danelaw
- Forced Saxons to select Danish Kings
- 1042Kingship returned to Alfred the Greats
descendent Edward - Edward the Confessor died in 1066. His death led
to the end of the Anglo-Saxon Period.
30Literature of Anglo-Saxon Times
- 2 major influences
- 1) Germanic Traditions of the Anglo-Saxons
- 2) Christian Traditions of the Roman Church
- Denmark, Germany, Sweden
Remember the 3 little pigs
311) Germanic Traditions of theAnglo-Saxons
- Germanic language
- Mixture of various Germanic dialects Old
English - Old English (often looks like a foreign
language)
32Page of Beowulf manuscript in Old English
Listen to me!
Monks worked as scribes, recording and
duplicating manuscripts, by hand. At first only
in Latin, the language of the church. Venerable
Bede, Father of English History, was a master
of thorough research, tracking of information by
studying earlier documents and interviewing
people. Wrote A History of the English Church
and People.
33Heroic Ideals Dominate
- Warrior culture
- Poems and stories depict a society like the
Anglo-Saxons - Military and tribal loyalties
- Bravery of warriors
- Generosity of rulers
- Oral tradition
- Songs and stories often sung and told about
the valiant struggles of heroic warriors - More than just entertainment provided a model
for living and a form of immortality they could
aspire to - Note all of these provided the foundation for
early written literature in Old English
34Anglo-Saxon Literature cont.
- Anglo-Saxon poetry falls mainly into two
categories - Heroic poetry recounts the achievements of
warriors - Elegiac poetry laments the deaths of loved ones
and the loss of the past - Beowulf is the most famous example of heroic
poetry.
35The Beowulf Poet
- Christian reflects established tradition
- Allusions to the Old Testament
- Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save
man from sin - Christ archetype Correspondences between
Beowulfs death and the death of Christ - The price of salvation is life itself
36Epic
- Beowulf Unknown author
- The national epic of England (first work to be
composed in English) - A long heroic poem, about a great legendary
warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and
dignity.
37Epic Elements
- Most epics are serious in tone and lofty in
style, a technique meant to convey the importance
of the events. Long speeches by the characters
suggest an impressive formality. - Use of kennings
38Epic Elements
Epic Element Definition As seen in
Epic Hero
Quest
Valorous deeds
Divine intervention
Great events
Epic Element Definition As seen in
Epic Hero the central character of an epic. This character is a larger-than-life figure, typically of noble or semi-divine birth, who pits his courage, skill, and virtue against opposing, often evil, forces.
Quest a long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the heros opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown.
Valorous deeds long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by the epic hero. The quest is the heros opportunity to prove his heroism and win honor and undying renown.
Divine intervention In many epics, the hero receives help from a god or another supernatural force who takes an interest in his quest.
Great events Important events from the history or mythology of a nation or culture often provide the backdrop for the epic narrative.
39Heroic Values in Beowulf
- Relationship between king and his warriors
- The king rewards his warriors with gifts
- If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the
slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in
compensation
40Conflict Christian Values and Heroic Values
- This tension is at the heart of the poem
- Pagan history and myth are made to point to a
Christian moral - Beowulf is poised between two value systems
41The Epic Hero
A man of high social status whose fate affects
the destiny of his people
- Defeats his enemies using
- Physical strength
- Skill as a warrior
- Nobility of character
- Quick wits
- Is not modest boasting is a ritual
- Embodies the ideals and values of his people
- Is eager for fame
- Because the Germanic tribes believed death was
inevitable, warriors sought fame to preserve the
memory of their deeds after death
42Epic Hero Cycle
Element Example Example
The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of super natural abilities or qualities (STATUS QUO) The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of super natural abilities or qualities (STATUS QUO)
The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure) The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure)
Crossing the Threshold Moving from the known to the unknown (DEPARTURE) Crossing the Threshold Moving from the known to the unknown (DEPARTURE)
The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL (TRIALS) The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL (TRIALS)
The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and companions The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and companions
The heros travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering The heros travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering
The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated (APPROACH, CRISIS) The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated (APPROACH, CRISIS)
A resurrection (TREASURE) A resurrection (TREASURE)
Achieving the goal or the boon (RESULT) Achieving the goal or the boon (RESULT)
Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to the ordinary world (RETURN/NEW LIFE) Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to the ordinary world (RETURN/NEW LIFE)
Applying the boon (RESULUTION/STATUS QUO) Applying the boon (RESULUTION/STATUS QUO)
43Are Modern Super Heroes Epic?
- Using the profile provided to your group and your
own prior knowledge fill out the epic hero cycle
chart for the super hero, then answer the
question at the bottom of the page using the
chart to back up your opinion.
44HELP! I need somebody!
- Think of a time when you helped someone in need
or someone helped you OR a time when you did NOT
render help and wish you had. Give a brief
summary of the incident then answer the following
analysis questions - What was your/their motivation (why was help
rendered?)? - What was the result?
- What would have happened if help was not
rendered? - Did anyone else offer help? Why/why not?