Mark Jespersen

Neff 3A
10/22/15
Final Script: Anglo-Saxon Arts

Intro:
Slide 1: Anglo-Saxon England wasnt exactly ripe with artistic culture, and the few
artistic pieces are often related to the pillaging and general savagery that was prevalent
throughout the nation at the time. Ornate crests, decorated warships, and epic poems
lauding warriors are just some of the examples of how art was just a part of the pro-war
culture that was created due to warring kingdoms and constant Viking raids.

Topic 1: Art in Battle

Slide 2: Every warrior with some sort of status in society would carry a shield bearing
some sort of design. The purpose of these designs can vary from purely decorative to
indicative of that warriors clan or family.
Slide 3: A large proponent of warfare at the time was naval skirmishes, often between
Anglo-Saxon defenders and Viking invaders. The saxons took inspiration from the
vikings decorated warships and adorned their own vessels in a similar manner. This
included ornate figure heads and painted shields to protect the hull.
Slide 4: When compared to other weapons of the time most of the Saxons weapons
are often considered crude and ugly, mostly due to the lack of resources and the limited
technology.
Slide 5: However, some royals carried beautiful swords, similar to what you imagine
King Arthur and his knights would wield. This is because the legend of King Arthur is
most likely based on several actual knights that attempted to fight the Saxons off before
they conquered England. These swords could still be found during the Anglo-Saxon
period, but were often used as decoration mess halls rather than as tools.

Topic 2: Decorative Art

Slide 6: Not all Anglo-Saxon art was used in battle, but the art was usually only owned
by royals. In the rare case that a peasant possessed an artistic piece, it was usually a
valuable family heirloom, passed on for generations. These heirlooms were often
clothing pieces, and could range from a broach to an ornate belt buckle.
Slide 7: On the contrary, royals possessed all sorts of fancy things. Golden cups for
mead, beautiful tapestries depicting legendary battles, and crowns worn by lords are all
examples of how art not only was owned mostly by the royalty, but the mere quality of
what they owned set them far apart from the peasant class.
Slide 8: There was no such thing as a museum in Anglo-Saxon England, and the
closest thing you could find to a library was a monastery. Monasteries were few and far
apart in Anglo-Saxon England, as Christianity was just finding a foothold in the area.
Most of the populace couldnt read, and those that could used runes rather than
something more similar to the English we write today.

Mark Jespersen
Neff 3A
10/22/15

Slide 9: Monks however, were able to both read and write, and kept records of the
history in their monasteries, as well as poems and stories they would write. These
records are where most of the information on Anglo-Saxon England comes from.

Topic 3: Bards
Slide 10: Perhaps the most iconic artists of the period are the Bards, or Scops. These
poets presented their epics as songs, and were revered in the society. They would
perform at feasts, in town squares, and at festivals, and people would travel just to hear
their favorites, similar to the bands of today.
Slide 11: The most popular story told by a scop, and arguably one of the most popular
stories of all time, is the Legend of King Arthur. Based on several warriors who fought
the Saxons during their initial invasion, the story soon became the most popular of the
period, and included many actual battles,
Slide 12: Such as the Battle of Badon, where Arthur supposedly killed fifty men with a
cross on his back, and the Battle of Camlann, where Arthur supposedly met his death at
the hands of his nephew and enemy.
Slide 13: Another popular tale is that of Beowulf, which takes place in the rival nation of
denmark and follows a Geat prince as he fights evil and attempts to gain honor before
finally meeting his death. The original epic, sang often by bards of the time, was later
adapted by a Christian monk, who added several religious undertones, which is the
version now studied by students studying the time period.

Conclusion:
Slide 14: Overall, the art of the period is unimpressive when compared to that of later
England, or even other regions in the same time period, but its importance in the
culture of the Saxons was one that harmonized with their core beliefs of honor,
heritage, and battle, and is one of the few ways we are able to study the period now.

Mark Jespersen
Neff 3A
10/22/15

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Mark Jespersen
Neff 3A
10/22/15