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Anglo Saxon England

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.

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Anglo Saxon England

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  1. Anglo Saxon England 405 – 1066 AD

  2. Early History England’s first inhabitants unknown Left Stonehenge

  3. Early History • Perhaps Druids created Stonehenge. • First recorded history of England by Greeks. • Romans significantly impacted England’s development and history.

  4. 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

  5. Invasions • Scots and Picts invaded England from the North. • Angles, Saxons, Jutes • Raided Briton • Became the Vikings

  6. Angles and Saxons • Settled in Northumbria, Wessex • Anglo Saxon society • Agricultural, semi-nomadic people • Tribal classes • Earls – kin to nobility • Churls – tribe captives

  7. 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

  8. Religion • Pagan • Pope Gregory sent Augustine to convert king • Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury • Pagan traditions • Yule log, Christmas tree

  9. 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

  10. Additional Anglo Saxon Characteristics • 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.

  11. Fate • Predetermined a person’s life/events • Destiny without choice/free will • Very different from Christian beliefs

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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

  15. 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.

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