ANGLO-SAXON BRITAIN

Merlin, Madli, Siiri

ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES

Their original homelands were Germany, Denmark and northern Netherlands.

Angles, Saxons, Jutes

Colonized northwards and westwards

850 AD – Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex

ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES

Lived in small settlements consisting of a few families.

Had small wooden houses with one room and thatched roof.

Freemen and slaves

Rich freemen worked for the king

For crimes people had to pay fines

Women and men had differentworks

ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES

Were originally pagans Christianity came in the 7th and the 8th century Many monasteries and churches were built

ANGLES, SAXONS AND JUTES

Downfall came with Vikings in the 8th and 9th century

Lost land, people were massacred

King Alfred fought back, told to write “The Anglo-Saxon Chrinicle”

The end came with duke William of Normandy – the battle of Hastings in 1066.

BEOWULFThe first English literary masterpiece and one of the earliest European epics written in the native language (Old English).

The main character, Beowulf, is a hero of the Geats. He fights against three anagonists:

• the monster Grendel• Grendel’s mother• an unnamed dragon

After several battles with the beasts, Beowulf succeeds to rule his country for over 50 years. The story takes place in Denmark and Scandinavia.

“Beowulf’s” author is unknown. Remarkable for its lenght – 3,182 lines

BEOWULFThe first English literary masterpiece and one of the earliest European epics written in the native language (Old English).

Only one copy of the manuscript of “Beowulf” survived. It origins from the 11th century.

The manuscript was damaged in a fire and later on, some parts of it continuously obliterated. Now it is safe in the British Library.

The first translation of “Beowulf” was made into Latin in 1815.

“Beowulf” has been an inspiration to numerous film directors, writers and composers.

The spread of Christianity

Canterbury Cathedral 4th century – the first

martyr, Saint Alban, appeared

The British Church flourished after the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the imperial religion

The spread of ChristianityCanterbury Cathedral In 367 the Celts of the north, the Picts and Scots

overran the Wall.

Britons to fleed west into Wales and Cornwall

Saint Augustine

In 597 St.Augustine brought the Roman brand of Christianity to Britain.

The Saxon king Ethelbert of Kent was converted to Christianity.

Canterbury Cathedralwas founded.

The Canterbury Cathedral

Its first Archbishop was St.Augustine. 1770 – the murder of Thomas Becket 1774 – a fire broke out destroying the entire eastern end

The spread of ChristianityCanterbury Cathedral664 – a synod oh bishops was called to sort out which form

of Christianity was right.

RESULT: Prefigured the future conflict with Rome

Brought England into contact with Europe’s new civilization

The Church brought:

Literacy and learning to kings and their councils

A greater humanity to the laws

English art and letters flowered

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People was written by Venerable Bede

THANK YOU!