Anglo-Saxons: Describe the historical period from the V century to 1066. Name the group of Germanic peoples who arrived/invaded England Distinguish the Saxons of Britain from those of the European continent (Old Saxons) Language The people of the different Anglo-Saxons kingdoms spoke distinctive dialects, a branch of IndoEuropean family of languages. It evolved and turned in what is known as OLD ENGLISH. It began to appear in writing in the early 8th century. A vernacular literature emerged such as the epic poem BEOWULF. Religion The Anglo Saxons were pagans and polytheist. (gods: days of the week) In 597 the Pope sent a monk called Augustine to persuade the King to become Christian. During the following years, many Anglo Saxons turned to Christianity. This was encouraged by Christian missionaries sent by the Pope Gregory. Monasteries and churches were built throughout England, becoming the former centres of learning and culture. The Kings helped the church and the church enchanced the status of the kings. Society The main division in Anglo-Saxon society was between slave and free with several classes of freemen and many types of slaves. The main important ranks within free society were the king, the nobleman, and the ordinary freeman. They were differentiated by their value of their wergild or man price, which was the amount of money fixed as compensation for the murder or disablement of a person. Slaves had no wergild; they were taken to be offences against their owners. Some slaves may have been members of the native British population conquered by the Anglo-Saxons when they arrived from the continent; others may have been captured in wars between the early kingdoms. Slaves who had gained their freedom would become part of an underclass of freedmen. Women and children Anglo-Saxon women have enjoyed considerable independence. They could act as principals in legal transactions, were entitled to the same wergild as men of the same class, and were considered oath-worthy, with the right to defend themselves on oath against false accusations or claims. Sexual and other offences against them were penalized heavily. Marriage comprised a contract between the womans family and the future husband, who was required to pay a bride-price in advance of the wedding and a morning gift following its consummation. The latter became the womans personal property. Enemies: For almost 100 years (787-878) the Vikings attacked the shores of England. Guthrum was the most successful warrior.
Main Kings (Alfred The Great, Canute, Edward I & II)
o Alfred the great: Anglo-Saxon king 871899 who defended England against Danish invasion and founded the first English navy. He succeeded his brotherto the throne of Wessex in 871, and a new legal code came into force during his reign. He encouraged the translation of scholarly works from Latin (some he translated himself), and promoted the development of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. o Canute: King of England, Denmark, and Norwaym. Having invaded England in 1013, he was acclaimed king on his fathers death in 1014 by his Viking army. Canute defeated Edmund in 1016, and became king of all England on Edmund's death. He succeeded his brother Harold as king of Denmark in 1018, and he conquered Norway in 1028. He was succeeded by his illegitimate son. Under Canute's rule English trade improved, and he gained favour by sending soldiers back to Denmark. Edward I: King of England from 1272. He established English rule over all of Wales in 128284.. He was succeeded by his son Edward II. Edward was a noted castle builder; he was also responsible for building bastides to defend the English position in France. o Edward II: King of England from 1307, son of Edward I. He was created the first Prince of Wales. Incompetent and frivolous. His invasion of Scotland in 1314 to suppress revolt resulted in defeat at Bannockburn. When he fell,, he was deposed in 1327 by his wife Isabella and her lover and murdered in Berkeley Castle. He was succeeded by his son, Edward III.
Causes of their invasion and characteristics
Where did they come from?
The Anglo-Saxons were the descendants of three different Germanic peoplesthe Angles, Saxons and Jutes. Those peoples originally migrated from northern Germany to the island of Britain in the 5th century at the invitation of a ruler of Britons to help defend his kingdom against invasions by the Picts and Scotti, who occupied what is now Scotland. Another reason for coming may have been because their land often flooded and it was difficult to grow crops, so they were looking for new places to settle down and farm.