Anglo-Saxon Age

Question 0

Focus

Answer 0

• Traditionally centers around nobility and royalty
• Shaped by invaded who assimilated into culture
• Theme: Eternal struggle of good against evil

Question 1

Periods of English Literature (UK)

Answer 1

• Old English: 650-1100 AD
• Middle English: 1100-1500 AD
• Modern English: 1500 AD-Present

Question 2

Pre Anglo-Saxon:

Iberian

Answer 2

• 2000 BC
• Stonehenge
• Primitive cave dwellers who arrived in boats from Spain/Egypt/Crete

Question 3

Pre Anglo-Saxon

Britons

Answer 3

• 1200-600 BC
• Celtic tribes invaded from Europe
• Brought Druids, human sacrifice rituals, monsters/dragons, “elder” (king)
• Frequently warring
• Languages: Gaelic, Welsh, Breton

Question 4

Pre Anglo-Saxon

Roman Invasion

Answer 4

• 55 BC and 43 AD
• Julius Caesar wrote accounts of invasions, drove Gaelic into NW hills
• Claudius for 300
• New structures, government system
• Left in 407 AD

Question 5

Germanic Invasion of Rome

Answer 5

• Decline of Roman Empire allowed Germanic tribes to invade

- England open to invasion

Question 6

Christianity

Answer 6

• Originated from Celtic Christianity of Ireland, Kent 597
• 563 Monks establish centers of learning, mission throughout England
• Bring Latin writing
• 7th century, Benedictines establish monasteries (English written)
• Bede: 674-735 AD, lived in Tarrow monastery and recorded Roman history in Latin

Question 7

Anglo-Saxon Invasions

Answer 7

• 449 AD
• Jutes, Anglos, Saxons from Germanic tribes from Europe assimilate with Celts/Romans
• Expand Roman civilization, more democratic government
• Build communal farmlands

Question 8

Anglo-Saxon Terms

• aethling
• wetan
• earldorman
• thanes
• theows
• thralls
• geneat

Answer 8

• Well born warrior
• Wise man
• Elder, title of nobility
• Wealthy land owner
• Serfs
• Slaves
• Owns land, owes allegiance to thane/earl/King

Question 9

Anglo-Saxon Religion/Culture

Answer 9

• Warriors and Nordic mythology
• advanced weaponry, hero stories and oral tradition
• Lasts until 1066 AD
• Celtic retreat, King Arthur in Wales. Nordic raids in 787 AD

Question 10

Nordic Raids

Answer 10

• 787 AD
• Pillages, raped, and stole
• Were pagans responsible for killing monks
• Words: Windows, sky

Question 11

Alfred the Great (878 AD)

Answer 11

• Anglo-Saxon King (Christian) who defeated Danes
• Great military leader who rebuilt the kingdom
• Writer of history (“Anglo-Saxon Chronicles”, common laws and history, Caesar to 1154)
• Translated gospel of St. John’a into English, made gospel accessible to Anglos
• Father of English prose

Question 12

Norman Invasions

Answer 12

• 1066 AD
• Normandy, from Vikings
• William of Normandy defeated King Harold in 106)
• Normans rule for 100s of years, introduce French language
• Commoners spoke crude English