(3) Bede (673?-735)
Anglo-Saxon theologian and historian whose major work, Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation (731), written in Latin, remains an important source of ancient English history. He introduced the method of dating events from the birth of Christ.
(2) King Alfred
Known as “the Great.” (849-899)
King of the West Saxons (871-899), scholar, and lawmaker who repelled the Danes and helped consolidate England into a unified kingdom.
Chapter Ⅰ The Anglo-Saxon Period
(450-1066)
2020/7/16
1
3. Historical background:
(1) The earliest settlers of the British Isles were the Celts;
(2) 43-ca.420 Roman invasion and occupation of Britain
2020/7/16
4
4. King Arthur
The Anglo-Saxon Occupation: The native Britons (Celts) were finally confined to the mountainous region of Wales where the modern form of their language is spoken alongside English to this day. In defeat, the Britons produced a body of stories revolving a legendary ruler called Arthur who had fought heroically against the Anglo-Saxon invaders.
2020/7/16
5
5. No. Northumbria：
An Anglo-Saxon kingdom of northern England formed in the seventh century by the union of Bernicia and Deira, Angle kingdoms originally established c. a.d. 500. Much of Northumbria fell to invading Danes in the ninth century and was annexed to Wessex in 954.
King Alfred’s contribution to English literature: 3 aspects.
2020/7/16
8
King Alfred’s Contribution to English Language &British Literature
In the 9th century, the Christian Anglo-Saxons were invaded by the Danes. The Danes occupied the northern part of the island. They were stopped by Alfred, King of the West Saxons from 871 till 899, who for a time united all the kingdoms of southern England. Alfred translated various works from Latin. Practically all of Old English poetry is preserved in copies made in the West Saxon dialect after the reign of Alfred.
(3) ca. 450 Anglo-Saxon Conquest
(4) 597 St. Augustine arrives in Kent; beginning of Anglo-Saxon conversion to Christianity
(5) 871-899 Reign of King Alfred
2020/7/16
7
6. Wessex Literature
(1). Wessex:
A region and ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of southern England. According to tradition, the kingdom was founded by the Saxon conquerors of Britain and at its greatest extent occupied the territory between the English Channel and the Thames River.
2020/7/16
9
7. Anglo-Saxon Poetry
2020/7/16
6
(2) Caedmon:
The earliest English poet. According to Bede, he was an elderly herdsman who received the power of song in a vision. died c. 680