Mrs. Pat Lowe
English IV
The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066)
I.
Overview of the time
A. Was a time of enormous upheaval and change in England
B. Many famous and infamous kings ruled
C. There were many disastrous wars
D. Foreign invasions were frequent
E. Literature went from an age of oral tradition to printed word
II.
History
A. Britons were the first English
1. They were a Celtic (keltic) people who were
conquered by the Romans in the first century AD.
2. Became part of the Roman Empire
B. The Romans leave around 410 to defend Rome and the
Celtics are left unprotected.
C. Around 449, invaders from the North German plain settled
in Kent. They were Jutes from Juteland in Denmark.
D. Next came the Angles and Saxons
1. King Arthur was the leader of the Celtic people
driven into Wales during this time.
2. It is believed he is one of several kings the “Camelot”
legends are built upon.
3. These Germanic invaders brought a common
language called “old English.”
4. Together they created Anglo-Saxon England or
Angleland, that lasted until 1066.
III.
Anglo-Saxon Society
A. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Society
1. Common language
2. Heroic ideals and a set of traditional heroes
3. Admired men of outstanding courage
4. Were fiercely loyal to the leader of their tribe
5. People of rank were given great courtesy
6. Believed in the shortness of life and the passing
away of all things in the world
7. Fate determined most of life
8. Few were Christians; most were pagans
9. Society was well-developed:
a. family
b. clan
c. tribe
d. kingdom
Mrs. Pat Lowe
English IV
10. Had a highly developed feeling for beauty and a
passion for jewelry (brooches and bracelets)
11. Were men of learning?
a. The Venerable Bede (a monk) was the most
learned writer of the time. Wrote A History of the
English Church and People.
b. Is known as the father of English history.
12. Gave us the names of our days of the week.
a. Tuesday-Tiw-god of war
b. Wednesday-Woden-chief teutonic god
c. Thursday-Thor-god of thunder
d. Friday-Frigga-goddess of home
13. Many basic American traditions in law, outlook,
language, and literature come from the AngloSaxons.