COLLECTION 1: THE ANGLO SAXONS

Political and Social Milestones

Roman Occupation – 55 B.C. – 409 A.D. Roman conquerors and Julius Caesar Roads, Hadrian’s Wall 409 A.D. – No government and vulnerability

Anglo-Saxon Invasion 449 A.D. Angles/Saxons – Germany and Jutes –

Denmark Language and warrior culture Scops United under King Alfred the Great

Political and Social Milestones

The Spread of Christianity During Roman occupation Ireland, missionaries from Rome Co-existence Late seventh century

The Norman Invasion Battle of Hastings

Celts Groups called Britons Religion – animism or “spirit”

Priests called Druids Ritual dances Stonehenge

Mythology Magic and Imagination Strong women leaders

The Romans Armies and organization Celtic religion replaced by Christianity 409 A.D. they evacuated troops Separate clans

Anglo Saxons Language – England Celtic influence – Arthur King Alfred the Great Unifying religion

Anglo Saxon Life 1939 – Ship found with treasures No Barbarians, but not a life of luxury Loyalty

Women Emphasis on warfare Wills found from time period Powerful religious leaders

Anglo Saxon Religion Gods as warriors Woden – god of death, poetry, and magic Thor – god of thunder and lightning Dragons - guardians

The Bards Storytellers Not inferior to warriors Harp Immortal Verse

Monasteries Existed along side Anglo Saxon religion Centers of learning Preserved Latin and Greek classics as

well as works like Beowulf Monks copied by hand

Beowulf First great work of English national

literature Traditional motifs Oral Epic Only manuscript from 1000 Stories of dream, legend, monsters,

weapons, fights with dragons, a hero’s quest, and a saved community