Anglo-Saxon literature: Prose. Old English literary prose dates from the latter part of the Anglo-Saxon period.
Prose was written in Latin before the reign of King Alfred (reigned 871–99), who worked to revitalize English culture after the devastating Danish invasions ended. As hardly anyone could read Latin, Alfred translated or had translated the most important Latin texts. He also encouraged writing in the vernacular. Didactic, devotional, and informative prose was written, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, probably begun in Alfred's time as an historical record, continued for over three centuries. Two preeminent Old English prose writers were Ælfric, Abbot of Eynsham, and his contemporary Wulfstan, archbishop of York. A great deal of Latin prose and poetry was written during the Anglo-Saxon period.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. See more Encyclopedia articles on: English Literature to 1499. Anglo-Saxon literature Facts, information, pictures. Anglo-Saxon literature Facts, information, pictures. Anglo-Saxon Poetry: Characteristics & Examples. In this lesson, we will review the general history of Anglo-Saxon society and its era.
Then, we will look closer at the characteristics of the literature, specifically the poetry, of that era. Explore our library of over 10,000 lessons Click "next lesson" whenever you finish a lesson and quiz. Got It You now have full access to our lessons and courses. You're 25% of the way through this course! Way to go! Congratulations on earning a badge for watching 10 videos but you've only scratched the surface. You've just earned a badge for watching 50 different lessons. You have earned a badge for watching 20 minutes of lessons. You have earned a badge for watching 50 minutes of lessons. You have earned a badge for watching 100 minutes of lessons. You have earned a badge for watching 250 minutes of lessons. You have earned a badge for watching 500 minutes of lessons. Life in Anglo-Saxon England.
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Introduction The Anglo-Saxon period lasted for some six centuries, from the arrival of Germanic invaders from the continent during the early fifth century AD to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This was a time of immense political and social upheaval which saw major changes in almost all aspects of everyday life. The early pagan settlers lived mainly by farming (see Unit 9, Farming), and formed a number of separate — and warring — kingdoms. By around 700 AD, there appears to have been a ‘Heptarchy’ of seven kingdoms (Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Wessex, Essex, Sussex and Kent), while the main four in the ninth century were Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex.
Anglo-Saxon literature. 2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection.
Related subjects: British History 1500 and before (including Roman Britain); Literature types. Primary History - Anglo-Saxons - Kings and laws. Anglo-Saxon England - culture and society. The strongest ties in Anglo-Saxon society were to kin and lord.
The ties of loyalty were to the person of a lord, not to his station. There was no real concept of patriotism or loyalty to a cause. This explains why dynasties waxed and waned so quickly. A kingdom was only as strong as its war-leader king. There was no underlying administration or bureaucracy to maintain any gains beyond the lifetime of a leader. The king's powersKings could not, except in exceptional circumstances, make new laws. King Edgar making an offering The king and religionAlthough the person of the king as a leader could be exalted, the office of kingship was not in any sense as powerful or as invested with authority as it was to become. WergeldsThe ties of kinship meant that the relatives of a murdered person were obliged to exact vengeance for his or her death.
This emphasis on social standing led to an interesting court system. Life in Anglo-Saxon England. Epic World History: Anglo-Saxon Culture. The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic barbarians who invaded Britain and took over large parts of the island in the centuries following the withdrawal of the Roman Empire.
They were initially less gentrified than other post-Roman barbarian groups such as the Franks or Ostrogoths because they had less contact with Mediterranean civilization. The Anglo-Saxons were originally pagan in religion. The main group, from northwestern Germany and Denmark, was divided into Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. German tribal affiliations were loose and the original invaders included people from other Germanic groups as well. Anglo-Saxons Facts, information, pictures. History - Ancient History in depth: The Anglo-Saxons.