Anglo Saxon England
405 – 1066 AD
Early History
England’s first inhabitants unknown
Left Stonehenge
Early History
Perhaps Druids created Stonehenge.
First recorded history of England by Greeks.
Romans significantly impacted England’s development and history.
Romans
Julius Caesar 55 BC
Claudius 43 AD
Overcame Celts
Established Roman rule
Remained in England for 400 years
Intermarried with Britons, built towns and roads, Hadrian’s Wall
Roman Empire collapsed 5th century
Invasions
Scots and Picts invaded England from the North.
Angles, Saxons, Jutes
Raided Briton
Became the Vikings
Angles and Saxons
Settled in Northumbria, Wessex
Anglo Saxon society
– Agricultural, semi-nomadic people
– Tribal classes
– Earls – kin to nobility
– Churls – tribe captives
Anglo Saxon Society
• Concept of a strong, wise leader
• Warrior – very important part of society
• King – usually a warrior
• Women – unimportant, unless royal
• Art – Sutton Hoo burial ship
• Significant artifacts showing heroic society rich in gold and craftsmanship
• Evidence of trade with the Far East
Religion
• Pagan
• Pope Gregory sent Augustine to convert king
• Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury
• Pagan traditions
• Yule log, Christmas tree
Anglo Saxon Characteristics
Germanic people pushed west by tribes like the Huns.
Worship Odin, god of war
Faithful, brave, fearless, revered the hero-warrior
Governed by war councils
Entertainment in the mead hall
Craftsmen – weapons, swords, helmets, mead halls
Women were generally thought of as servants/possessions.
Males dominated the society.
Loyalty to the king from the thanes was a necessity.(A thane is a royal warrior)
Disloyalty to the king meant death.
Fate
Predetermined a person’s life/events
Destiny without choice/free will
Very different from Christian beliefs
Literature
► Most important work is Beowulf
► Story revolves around a great pagan warrior known for his strength and courage.
► Considered the national epic of England.
► Author unknown.
Beowulf
Part of the oral tradition in ancient literature.
Emphasis on prowess in battle.
Concept of Fate/destiny.
References to Christian ideas and Latin classics.
Reflects the juxtaposition of church and pagan elements.
Anglo Saxon Terms
Scop – professional entertainer for the king
Folkmoot – town meeting of elders
Wyrd – Anglo Saxon sense of Fate
Thane – warrior
Mead – fermented drink of honey and water
Mead Hall – place of entertainment/story telling/bragging about battles
Lair – den or hiding place
Witan – council of elders who ruled when the king was absent
Anglo Saxon Terms
Freya – Goddess of love and marriage (Friday)
Odin – wisest God
Wodin – Wednesday
Ever present danger of death by accident or warfare caused a grim view of death by people
Fatalistic attitude – Because of belief in Fate
Words are very literal, concrete.
