The Old English Period The Middle Ages

The Old English Period The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages Covers time span from collapse of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance Time period of more than 800 years 1485 end of the Middle Ages

Overview of Periods of Early English History Pre-Roman up to 55 B. C. Roman Occupation 55 B. C. – 410 A. D. Anglo-Saxon Period 410 – 787 A. D. Viking Invasions 787 – 1066 A. D. Norman Conquest begins in 1066

Pre-Roman

Pre-Roman • Britain home to several Celtic tribes. • Britain named for one Celtic tribe— the Brythons. • The Celts were Pagans - Celtic religion was a form of animism ( Latin for “spirit” ) • Druids were Celtic priests.

Roman Occupation

Roman Occupation: Key Events 55 B. C. Julius Caesar begins invasion/occupation 43 A. D. Celts defeated by Claudius: the occupation is completed about 121 A. D. Hadrian’s Wall is built 410 A. D. Romans “leave” because Visigoths attack Rome ► • Britain left vulnerable to attack. • Central government breaks down

Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy = Seven Kingdoms 1. Kent 2. Essex (East Saxon) 3. Sussex (South Saxon) 4. East Anglia 5. Northumbria 6. Mercia 7. Wessex (West Saxon)

The Anglo-Saxon Legacy • Angle and Saxon clans impose warrior culture on the island for six centuries • 871 Alfred of Wessex (ruled from approx. 871 -899 A. D. ) is king of England. King Alfred unites Anglo-Saxons against the invading Danes • The spread of Christianity helps unify the Anglo-Saxons

Old English • English emerges as a written language. • The first extended written specimen of Old English (Anglo-Saxon) language is a code of laws. • Literacy was restricted to men of the church • Most of Old English literature is religious

The Anglo-Saxon Literature • Anglo-Saxon literature is rooted in oral tradition • Christian monks copy ancient manuscripts, preserving classical and Anglo-Saxon texts. • Historical poems in Anglo. Saxon Chronicle detail events of early English history. • Old English epic poem Beowulf combines Germanic heroism and Anglo-Saxon fatalism

Characteristics of Old English Poetry Harsh world view Formal speech Elevated language Irony Contrast Pagan and Christian Fate The Past Violence Values of warrior society Most of Old English poetry is contained in just four manuscripts.

Poetic Devices No end rhyme; main thought or idea often runs over from line to line Lines contain caesuras, or mid-line pauses Poems use alliteration - the repetition of initial consonant sounds Poems contain kennings - compound metaphorical phrases that rename concrete nouns (“sea road” = ocean)

Vikings or Danes 8 th– 9 th centuries Danes invade Britain. the Anglo-Saxon (and Jute) heritage was not much different from the Vikings’: they, too, were Scandinavian invaders. But, when the Viking raids began around 787, the Anglo -Saxons were different culturally from the Viking invaders > still PAGAN!!! King Sweyn and his Danish troops arrive in England, from a manuscript (c. 14 th century)

The Normans Invade Britain • In the Norman invasion of 1066, William the Conqueror, a duke from Normandy, France, claimed the English throne had been promised to him and crosses the English Channel with a huge army • He defeats King Harold and the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings • To squash revolts, William divided the land among his loyal barons and built castles around the country.

Anglo-Norman England , William created a hierarchy of rulers under one lord and a network of thousands of knights sworn to serve him. French language becomes an official Henry II, first of England’s Plantagenet kings

Early England Created by Three Invasions 1. Roman Occupation 55 B. C. -410 A. D. 2. Anglo-Saxon and Viking Invasions 410 – 1066 A. D. GERMAN(IC) LATIN 3. The Norman Invasion (The Battle of Hastings) in 1066 A. D. FRENCH

Literature after the invasion of the Normans • Old English disappears from laws and literature after William makes French the language of the state. • literature was usually written in Latin or Norman French after 1066. • Bibles and gospels created in monasteries were celebrated for their brilliant illuminated manuscripts, all created by hand.

A Time of Change Literature in English was performed orally, and written throughout the Middle Ages, but uniquely English literature does not exist before the late 14 th century. The Latin Bible provided subject for Old English poetry and prose Attraction to Celtic legends King Arthur and his court acquired immense popularity Romance involves a knight proving his worthiness through nobility of character and brave deeds Religious literature aimed at women – saints’ lives, The Ancrene Riwle.

Middle English Literature in the 14 th Century Old English replaces French in literature Thirty Year’s War The bubonic plague wiped out one-third of European population A time of social unrest Church becomes target of resentment because of its wealth and worldliness Great European poets of the 14 th century include Dante, Petrarch, Marie de France, and Boccoccio English writers of the 14 th century include Chaucer, William Langland the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The Fifteenth Century War of the Roses between Lancasters and Yorks ended with King Henry VII’s ascension to the throne Performances of mystery plays and morality plays Mystical writings ( Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe)) Caxton’s printing press introduced in 1476. Caxton’s publication of Th. Malory’s Morte D’arthur.

Middle English Literature Religious literature (Allegory, Morality) Popular literature (Romance, King Arthur) Authors looked at themselves as craftsmen No emphasis on originality Ptolemaic view of the universe – earth centered Gothic Church as symbol of Middle Ages – height and light

Middle English Literature • Some medieval writers began to use the vernacular, or language of the people. Works written in English, such as ballads and romances, helped to define England’s identity. • A new literary form—the romances — becomes popular, reflecting the concepts of courtly love and chivalry. • Scholarly works from monasteries and universities reflect society’s interest in moral instruction and morality plays.