Anglo Saxon Period

Introduction

The Anglo-Saxon period is one of the earliest and most important phases in the history of English literature and culture. It covers the time from about 450 AD to 1066 AD. It began when Germanic tribes came to England and it ended with the Norman Conquest. After the Romans left Britain around 410 AD, three Germanic tribes called the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes came from present-day Germany and Denmark and settled in Britain.

They formed small kingdoms and their language, called Old English, became the base of the English language. The culture of the Anglo-Saxons was based on war, loyalty, bravery, and family ties. Life was often dangerous because of wars and invasions. Society was ruled by kings and warriors, and people strongly believed in fate, honor, and courage.

This period is called the Dark Ages because very little written material from this time has survived. It does not mean the people were uncivilized, but it means there is little historical information available. One reason is that most people could not read or write and history was passed by speaking instead of writing. Another reason is that after the Romans left, many roads, cities, and schools were destroyed and learning declined. Britain also faced many wars and invasions, which made life unstable. Education was limited mainly to monks and church scholars. Even though it is called a dark period, great literary works like Beowulf were created during this time.

Religion and Culture

In the early Anglo-Saxon period, people followed pagan religions and believed in many gods. Later, Christianity was brought by missionaries like St. Augustine in 597 AD. Christianity changed society by encouraging learning, writing, and moral values. Monasteries became centers of education, and monks wrote many poems and religious texts. Because of this, much Anglo-Saxon literature was preserved.

Anglo-Saxon literature was written in Old English and included epic poems, elegies, religious writings, and historical records. The most famous work is Beowulf, which tells the story of a brave hero who fights monsters to protect his people. Common themes in this literature include heroism, loyalty to one’s lord, the fight between good and evil, fate which was called wyrd, and belief in God and religion.

Dialects of Old English

Old English had four main dialects that were spoken in different parts of England. West Saxon was spoken in the south and west, and most surviving Old English writings are in this dialect. Mercian was spoken in central England. Northumbrian was spoken in the north. Kentish was spoken in the southeast. These dialects were different in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary, just like modern regional accents and languages.

The Anglo-Saxon period ended in 1066 when William the Conqueror from Normandy defeated King Harold in the Battle of Hastings. After this, French influence entered England and the language slowly changed into Middle English.

The Anglo-Saxon period is very important because it formed the base of the English language and literature. Even though it is called the Dark Ages, it was a time of strong storytelling, powerful values, and cultural growth, and the Old English dialects and heroic spirit of the Anglo-Saxons still influence English literature today.

References

Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World. Ginn and Company, 1909.