History of England: the Anglo-Saxons

History of England: The Anglo-Saxons 450 – 1066 A.D.

Celts invade Britain in the 5th c. B.C. Religion: Animism – everything in nature possessed a spirit, i.e., trees, stones, rivers Druids – ancient priests

Roman invasion and occupation, 50 – 450 A.D. Romans conquered England but did not settle in Ireland and Scotland. Romans brought architecture to England – roads, theaters, senate houses, public baths Emperor Constantine introduced Christianity to the Britons. Rome withdrew its occupation and left behind the Latin language and Christianity.

Angles and Saxons: approx. 450 – 1066 A.D. England, now made up of separate clans, was easily invaded by the Angles and Saxons from northern Germany. The Jutes, from southern Denmark, also invaded. Brought over German paganism Government was called a Heptarchy: Northumberland, East Anglia, Mercia, Kent, Essex, Sussex, and Wessex 1st great Anglo-Saxon ruler – King Alfred, who defeated the Danes. “Englalond” became England St. Augustine began to convert the English to Roman Christianity. 1st cathedral built in Canterbury The Dark(est) Ages: 750 – 850 A.D. The Vikings, from Scandinavia, plundered England in the 8th and 9th centuries. Robbed English monasteries, burned books, and killed monks The Vikings controlled most of northern England. The “Treaty of Wednore” created Danelaw, a Danish territory in NE England.

The Norman Invasion: 1066 William, Duke of Normandy and illegitimate heir of last king from Alfred’s line, invaded and gained control of England in 1066 A.D. The end of the Anglo-Saxon rule.

Old English

The Celtic Language . 1st Indo-European speakers in England. . Irish, Scots Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton speakers today. . Language is facing extinction today. . “sassenach” uncomplimentary term for the English among the Scots and Irish.

The Latin Language . “barbarians” – anyone who did not speak Latin. . Latin became the language of the church and the court.

The Anglo-Saxons Language . Germanic – verbs had endings, syntax was unimportant, nouns had different genders. . Language evolved into Old English.

The Normans . Introduced the French language. . French became the language of the aristocracy.