MB UNIUD

In the history of English literature the term Middle Ages refers to a period extending from the beginning of Anglo Saxon invasions in the late 4^th century to the accession of the House of Tudor to the throne in 1485. This time can be subdiveded into Anglo-Saxon Period and Anglo-Norman Period.

Britain had remained under Roman control for five centuries (43 - 410 AD).

In the 5^th and 6^th centuries Germanic tribes (the Angles, Saxons and Jutes) invaded and settled in Britain.

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

The Anglo-Saxons were a population that came from the North of Europe, we think from today's Northern Germany. They invaded Britain. The local populations escaped to Wales, Cornwall and Scotland. This is important because in Wales, Cornwall and Scotland today not only English is spoken but also Irish, Welsh and Scottish.

Then the country was divided into seven kingdoms.

The Anglo-Saxons brought with them their language and culture.

They spoke Old English: a mixture of Germanic dialects.

Their culture was based on values like outstanding courage, honour, loyalty and generosity.  

Anglo-Saxon society was based on the family unit which branched out to the clan, the tribe and the kingdom.

How do we know the Anglo-Saxon culture?

We know about the Anglo-Saxon culture thanks to archaeological rests: in cemeteries we can find many objects and personal possessions. The most important cemetery is at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

But there are also some important manuscripts. They were written by some monks. The major source for the history of Britain from the late 6^th to the early 8^th century is "Ecclesiastical History of the English People". The Venerable Bede wrote this manuscript.

Was Christianity important?

Christianity began to spread throughout pagan Britain towards the end of the 6^th century. In 597 Augustine and other monks were sent in Britain to convert the heathen English to Christianity. Saint Augustine established a monastery at Canterbury.

Christianity proved a driving force in uniting the kingdom and in opening the country to the influence of Europe. But the Church was also very influential on aspects of culture: it introduced writing in documents, whereas Anglo-Saxon culture was based on an oral tradition.

In the 8^th century the Anglo-Saxons had to face several invasions from the Vikings. They were Scandinavian tribes who came especially from Denmark and Norway. The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms managed to defeat the Vikings when they joined their forces.

In the Anglo-Saxon culture there were two components: one, the language, the literary form and the arts from North Germany, the other, the moral values and classical literary influences from Rome.

What does the 1066 mark?

In 1066 the Saxon King Harold was defeated by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, at the Battle of Hastings. The Normans were descendents of the Vikings who had long settled in Northwestern France (Normandy).

This event opened the country to the invasion and occupation by the Normans.