The information’s sources are regardless to

English language and literature

department of Kütahya Dumlupınar
üniversitesi
The notes and scripts are regardless and
linklessly to survey of English Literature by
instructing of ALI BELENLI

Prepared by MASIHULLAH AMIRI with

investigations of HIZEM MITLAK
2nd WEEK
Prehistoric Britain is the period in British history before the Roman conquest in AD 43. It is divided into
five main periods:

Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age): Humans first arrived in Britain during the Palaeolithic period, around
800,000 years ago. They were hunter-gatherers who lived in caves and made tools from flint.
Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): The Mesolithic period began around 10,000 years ago, when the climate
improved and Britain became more habitable. Mesolithic people continued to hunt and gather, but they
also began to develop new technologies, such as fishing and pottery.
Neolithic (New Stone Age): The Neolithic period began around 4500 years ago, with the introduction of
farming. Neolithic people built permanent settlements and began to develop new technologies, such as
pottery and metalworking.
Bronze Age: The Bronze Age began around 2500 years ago, with the introduction of bronze metallurgy.
Bronze Age people built hillforts and other defensive structures, and they developed new forms of art and
decoration.
Iron Age: The Iron Age began around 800 years ago, with the introduction of iron metallurgy. Iron Age
people built hillforts and other defensive structures, and they developed new forms of social organization.
During prehistoric Britain, there were a number of different cultures that inhabited the islands. Some of
the most notable cultures include:

Neolithic Wessex culture: This culture was centered in southern England and is known for its megalithic
monuments, such as Stonehenge and Avebury.
Bronze Age Wessex culture: This culture was a successor to the Neolithic Wessex culture and is known
for its hillforts and bronze artifacts.
Iron Age Celtic culture: This culture was widespread throughout Britain and is known for its hillforts,
oppida (large fortified settlements), and coinage.
Prehistoric Britain is a fascinating period of history, and it has left behind a wealth of archaeological
evidence. From the cave paintings of Creswell Crags to the monumental stone circles of Stonehenge, the
remains of prehistoric Britain provide a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors.
WEEK 3 Celtic and Roman Britain
The Celts were a group of people who lived in Britain from around 500 BC to 43 AD, when the Romans
invaded. The Celts were skilled warriors and farmers, and they had a rich culture and religion.
The Romans ruled Britain for over 400 years, and during that time they introduced many changes to the
island. They built roads, cities, and forts, and they brought new technologies and ideas.
The Romans also had a significant impact on the Celtic culture of Britain. Many Celts adopted Roman
customs and language, and the two cultures blended together to create a new Romano-Celtic culture.
Celtic Britain

The Celtic culture of Britain was very diverse, and there were many different Celtic tribes living on the
island. However, there were also some common features of Celtic culture, such as:

A strong belief in the importance of family and community

A reverence for nature and the spirit world
A love of storytelling and music
A tradition of skilled craftsmanship
Some of the most notable Celtic artifacts from Britain include:
The Gundestrup Cauldron, a silver cauldron from the 1st century BC that depicts Celtic gods and myths.
The Tara Brooch, a gold and silver brooch from the 7th century AD that is decorated with Celtic symbols.
The Ardagh Chalice, a silver chalice from the 8th century AD that is decorated with Celtic symbols and
Christian imagery.
Roman Britain
The Romans introduced many new things to Britain, including:
Roads: The Romans built a network of roads that connected all parts of the province. This made it easier
for people and goods to travel around Britain.
Cities: The Romans built cities such as Londinium (London) and Eboracum (York). These cities were
centers of trade and government.
Forts: The Romans built forts along the frontiers of the province to protect it from invaders.
New technologies: The Romans introduced new technologies to Britain, such as central heating and
aqueducts.
New ideas: The Romans brought new ideas to Britain, such as Roman law and Christianity.
The Romans also had a significant impact on the economy and infrastructure of Britain. They introduced
new crops and farming techniques, and they built mines and factories to produce goods.

Legacy of Celtic and Roman Britain

The Celtic and Roman periods had a profound impact on the development of Britain. The Celts laid the
foundations of British culture, and the Romans introduced many new things to the island, such as roads,
cities, and new technologies.
The legacy of Celtic and Roman Britain can still be seen today in the English language, the British legal
system, and many of the country's roads and towns.
Here are some examples of the legacy of Celtic and Roman Britain:
The English language contains many words of Celtic origin, such as "trousers," "bracae" (Celtic for
"breeches"), and "ceann" (Celtic for "head").
The British legal system is based on Roman law.
Many British towns and cities have Roman names, such as London (from the Roman Londinium), York
(from the Roman Eboracum), and Gloucester (from the Roman Glevum).
The Celtic and Roman periods were a fascinating time in British history, and they continue to shape the
country today.
WEEK 4
The Saxons

The Saxons were a Germanic people who migrated to Britain from northern Europe in the 5th and 6th
centuries AD. They settled in what is now England and established several kingdoms, including Wessex,
Mercia, and Northumbria.
The Saxons were skilled warriors and farmers, and they brought their own culture and language to
Britain. They also adopted some of the customs of the Romano-Britons, such as the use of coins and the
building of churches.

The Saxons had a significant impact on the development of English culture. They introduced their own
language, which is the ancestor of modern English. They also introduced new customs and traditions,
such as the monarchy and the system of government.

Christianity

Christianity arrived in Britain in the 2nd century AD, but it did not become widely accepted until the 6th
century AD. The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity was largely the work of missionaries
from Rome and Ireland.
The arrival of Christianity had a profound impact on British society. It led to the development of a new
written culture, and it helped to unify the country under a common religion.
Christianity also had a significant impact on the arts and architecture of Britain. Many beautiful churches
and cathedrals were built during this period, and some of the best-known works of English literature, such
as Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, were written during this time.

The Vikings

The Vikings were a group of seafaring people who raided and settled in Britain from the 8th to the 11th
centuries AD. They came from Scandinavia, and they were skilled warriors and sailors.
The Vikings raided many parts of Britain, and they also settled in some areas, such as the Danelaw in the
northeast of England. The Vikings had a significant impact on British culture, and they introduced new
customs and traditions, such as the use of runes and the practice of Norse mythology.
The Vikings also had a major impact on the English language. Many English words of Scandinavian
origin, such as "knife," "window," and "sky," were introduced during this period.
Impact of the Saxons, Christianity, and the Vikings on British history
The Saxons, Christianity, and the Vikings all had a profound impact on British history. The Saxons
established the English nation and introduced their own language and culture. Christianity helped to unite
the country under a common religion and led to the development of a new written culture. The Vikings
raided and settled in parts of Britain, and they introduced new customs and traditions.
The combined impact of these three forces can still be seen in Britain today. The English language is a
Germanic language, and the British legal system is based on Roman law. Christianity is the dominant
religion in Britain, and many of the country's most famous landmarks, such as Stonehenge and York
Minster, were built during the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods.
WEEK 5
The Anglo-Norman period in British history began in 1066 with the Norman conquest of England. The
Normans were a French-speaking people from Normandy, and they brought their own language, culture,
and customs to England.
During the Anglo-Norman period, feudalism became the dominant system of social and political
organization in England. Feudalism is a system in which land is owned by a lord, who grants land to his
vassals in return for military service and loyalty.
The Anglo-Norman kings also introduced a number of French legal and administrative practices to
England. This led to a fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Norman culture, which is known as Anglo-French
cultural symbiosis.
Some of the key features of Anglo-Norman feudalism include:
1. A hierarchical social structure with a clear division between lords and vassals.
2. The granting of land by lords to their vassals in return for military service and loyalty.
3. The payment of feudal dues by vassals to their lords.
4. The administration of justice by lords in their own courts.
Some of the key features of Anglo-French cultural symbiosis include:
1. The use of French as the language of the court and the aristocracy.
2. The adoption of French legal and administrative practices.
3. The influence of French culture on English art, architecture, and literature.
The Anglo-Norman period had a profound impact on the development of English society and culture.
Feudalism became the dominant system of social and political organization, and Anglo-Saxon and
Norman culture fused to create a new Anglo-French culture.
The legacy of the Anglo-Norman period can still be seen in England today. For example, the English legal
system is based on French legal principles, and many English words of French origin are still in common
use.
Geoffrey Chaucer is often called the "father of English" for his contributions to the development of the
language. He was a poet, author, and civil servant who lived in the 14th century. Chaucer's work helped to
standardize the English language and to make it more widely used in literature and government.

Before Chaucer, English was still in its early stages of development. It had been influenced by a number
of other languages, including Anglo-Saxon, French, and Latin. Chaucer's work helped to unify the
different dialects of English and to create a more standard form of the language. He also introduced a
number of new words and phrases into the language, many of which are still in use today.

Chaucer's most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, is written in a form of English that is known as
Middle English. Middle English is the transitional stage of the English language between Old English and
Modern English. Chaucer's use of Middle English helped to make it the standard form of English for the
next few centuries.

Chaucer's work had a profound influence on the development of the English language. He is considered
to be one of the most important writers in English literary history, and his work continues to be studied
and enjoyed by people all over the world.

The Caedmon Hymn is a poem written in Old English, the oldest form of the English language. It is
believed to have been written in the 7th century by Caedmon, an Anglo-Saxon cowherd. The hymn is a
praise song to God, and it is one of the earliest examples of English poetry.

The following is the Caedmon Hymn in West Saxon, the dialect of Old English spoken in southern
England:

1. Nu scylun hergan heofonrices Weard,

2. Methotines meahti and ece Drihten,
3. Fæder ure fæstra, he gehwær ælda
4. Cyning engla, and Cristes modor.
5. We loven thee, God, almighty king,
6. Father of creation, eternal Lord.
7. And we praise thee, Christ, and thy mother Mary,
8. Queen of angels, and the glory of the heavens.

The Caedmon Hymn is a simple but beautiful poem. It is a testament to the beauty and power of the
English language, even in its earliest form.

The Vulgate is a Latin translation of the Bible.

The first language of the Bible is Hebrew, not Aramaic. The Hebrew Bible was written over a period of
centuries, from about 1200 to 100 BC. The Aramaic Bible was written later, from about 500 to 200 BC. It
contains translations of some of the Hebrew books, as well as original Aramaic works.
The Vulgate was translated by Jerome in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. Jerome was a scholar
who was fluent in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He translated the Bible from the Hebrew and Greek texts,
and his translation became the standard Latin Bible for the next thousand years.

The Vulgate had a profound influence on the development of Christianity. It was the Bible that was used
by the Church Fathers and by the medieval scholars who developed Christian theology. The Vulgate was
also the Bible that was read by the common people, and it helped to shape the way that Christianity was
practiced in the Middle Ages.

The Vulgate remains an important Bible today. It is still used by the Catholic Church, and it is also used
by many Protestant churches.

Here is a verse from the Vulgate translation of the Bible:

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum.

In English, this verse reads:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

A humble sort of shepherd is one who is modest and unassuming, despite their position of authority. They
are kind and compassionate towards their sheep, and they always put the needs of their flock first.
Humble shepherds are also willing to learn from others, and they are always striving to improve their
skills.
WEEK 6
Britain in the Middle Ages was a time of great change and upheaval. The country was ruled by a strong
monarchy, and the social structure was feudal. The economy was based on agriculture and trade, and the
culture was flourishing.
The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought about significant changes to English society. The Normans
introduced feudalism, a system in which land is owned by a lord, who grants land to his vassals in return
for military service and loyalty. They also built many castles and fortifications to protect the country from
invasion.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, England experienced a period of economic growth and prosperity.
The wool trade flourished, and many new towns and villages were founded. This period also saw the
construction of many beautiful churches and cathedrals.
The 14th century was a time of hardship for Britain. The Black Death killed an estimated one-third of the
population, and the Hundred Years' War with France drained the country's resources. However, the
country recovered during the 15th century, and by the end of the Middle Ages, England was a powerful
and prosperous nation.
The Middle Ages in Britain was a time of great cultural and intellectual achievement. Many of the
country's most famous writers and poets, such as Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare, lived
during this period. The Middle Ages also saw the development of English law and parliament.
Here is a summary of the key features of Britain in the Middle Ages:
1. Social structure: Feudal society with a clear division between lords and vassals.
2. Government: Strong monarchy with absolute power.
3. Economy: Agriculture and trade-based economy.
4. Culture: Flourishing culture with a rich tradition of literature, art, and architecture.
The Middle Ages were a formative period in British history. The changes that took place during this time
laid the foundations for the modern British nation.
WEEK 7
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 had a profound impact on the development of feudalism in
England. The Normans introduced a more centralized and hierarchical system of feudalism than had
existed under the Anglo-Saxons.

Under Norman feudalism, the king was at the top of the hierarchy, and all land was ultimately owned by
him. The king granted land to his vassals, who in turn granted land to their vassals, and so on. In return
for land, vassals owed the king military service, loyalty, and other dues.

The Normans also introduced a number of new features to feudalism in England, such as:
1. The concept of primogeniture, which meant that the eldest son inherited all of his father's land
and titles.
2. The development of a system of knight service, in which vassals were required to serve the king
as knights in his army.
3. The creation of a system of manorialism, in which vassals were required to work on their lord's
land and provide him with food and other goods.
4. Feudalism in England reached its peak during the 12th and 13th centuries. During this time, the
king was able to raise a large and powerful army, and the country experienced a period of
economic growth and prosperity.
However, feudalism began to decline in the 14th century, due to a number of factors, including the Black
Death and the Hundred Years' War. By the end of the Middle Ages, feudalism had been largely replaced
by a more centralized system of government.
The Norman Conquest and the introduction of feudalism had a profound impact on the development of
English society and culture. Feudalism helped to create a strong and stable monarchy, and it also
contributed to the development of English law and government.
The legacy of feudalism can still be seen in England today in a number of ways, such as the system of
primogeniture, the use of titles such as "lord" and "lady," and the existence of some traditional sporting
events, such as jousting.