Anglo-Saxon History Romans came into Britain and drove the Celtics out. Romans were then called back to their homeland to defend their civilization but left roads, walls and language (public.wsu.edu) Then the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes moved into Britain and became known as “Angle Land.” Another Invasion followed but it was peaceful by the Roman Cleic. After them it was the Danes, who raided England. When trying to overrun, England’s first king Alfred the Great stopped them and made the Danes convert to their ways (Pearson,4). Their last invasion was William the Conqueror who took the throne in the Battle of Hastings (Pearson,5). |
Anglo-Saxon Culture
Each of these invasions brought new culture. The culture consisted a lot of fighting. Their motive to always fight made many wars. Germanic tribes hated peace to them fighting was more honorable (public.wsu.edu). Religion shifted back and forth to believing in many gods (Pagan) or just one god (Christianity). The Roman Cleic brought Christianity and Alfred the Great brought it back and kept it the main religion. The Normans brought social structure, government and feudalism (Pearson,5). In order to be king during this time period you needed to display heroism. Also kings had to be generous and give back to their people and not hoard the treasure to themselves won in war (public.wsu.edu). In Anglo-Saxon culture stories were often told orally , in poem or song, they spoke old english and Epic poems were the most common literature. Beowulf is considered the most famous epic poem (Pearson, 39). |