Old English: Historical Background

Question 1

ca. 500 BC

Answer 1

Celtic settlement in Enland

Question 2

55 BC
(Romans try)

Answer 2

Caesar’s expedition
- attempt to conquer Britain failed

Question 3

43 AD
(Romans conquer)

Answer 3

Claudius’ expedition
- Britain becomes a Roman province (Hadrians wall)
- Picts & Scots in the North of the British Isles

Question 4

410
(Romans leave)

Answer 4

Romans leave the British Isles
- Vacuum of power: Picts & Scots attack Celts

Question 5

449

Answer 5

Beginning of the Germanic ‘settlement’/invasion in England by the following tribes: Angles (Anglia, Northumberland), Saxons (West Saxon), Jutes (Kent
> the Celts asked the Germanic settlement for help against the Picts & Scots

Question 6

Mid 6th century (563, 597)

Answer 6

Beginning of Christianization in Britain by the Roman-catholic church
- 563 missionaries from Ireland
- 597 missionaries from Rome

Question 7

from 700

Answer 7

First written records in Old English

Question 8

731

Answer 8

Bede Venerabilis: Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum

Question 9

End of 8th century

Answer 9

Beginning of Viking raids in England
> from 787 attacks from Scandinavian, Vikings, Northmen

Question 10

793

Answer 10

Plundering of Lindisfarne

Question 11

794

Answer 11

Plundering of Jarrow

Question 12

From 850

Answer 12

Systematic attacks by larger armies, many belligerent and aggressive attacks:
- 350 ships landed in England; stayed there over winter
- capture of Canterbury and London (in spring)
- 866 East Anglia
- 867 in York, later Wessex

Question 13

878

Answer 13

Treaty of Wedmore (Danelaw)
- Scandinavian settlement in the northeast of England (north of Chester/ London)
- Danelaw: the area where Danish law was valid
- The Treaty of Wedmore was a peace treaty between the English and the Vikings to put an end to the Viking attacks.