Old english period also called the Anglo-Saxon period (410 – 1066 AD).
The Beginning
Started around 410 when the roman empire fell and the Roman army withdrew from britain. Creating a power vacum where three germanic tribes concured and setteld into britian.
- Three Germanic tribes:
- Saxons (Germany)
- Angles (Denmark)
- Jutes (Denmark)
People believed in paganism. With gods like odin thor and loki. But after a while 7th century people started to believe in christianity. You can see the refrences to the old and new gods in Beowulf.
The End
In 1066 the French conquerer William the Conqueror conquered Britain. Making an end to old english period. And starting the School/6V/Engels/Middle English period.
Old English Writing
Old english used runes like æ, ð, þ some we still see today. Ye Old Pub. Is not pronouncsed as jé but as the. The rune for the is: ð wich changed into ye. Probably influnced by the vikings. (Little secret if you want to learn more abount Anglo-Saxon England as a viking: Assasin’s Creed Valhalla)
What you need to know:
- Old English
- Middle English
- Early Modern English
- Historical context: society & values
- Linguistic features: use of language, development of the English language
- Literary component: storytelling
Important terms
Part 1
Old english language
comitatus(loyalty through gift giving), scop(bard), meadhall (town hall, place to feast and meet and gift)
kenning (creative way to say something, more then one word for example: wave-cutter: ship),
alliteration(repeated sound at begining of words),
assonance(zelfde herhaling van klinkers)
Early modern english
Metaphor: A=B
simile: A is like B
onomatopeia: words that immitate sounds
In beowulf: christianity chain and abel, but also a scop is refrenced (bard).
Part 2
litotes (saying the opposite is false) + foreshadowing (a hidden spoiler/what comes later in the story)
2 roles of woman:
- Peace-weaver (peace through marrying woman)
- bringing beer and drinks
Vragen
- Moet je ook weten wie die geats zijn en wie die koning van hrothgar is en zo?
- Weet welke landen welke namen hebben en uit welk land welk persoon komt. En de koning vnan elk land ongeveer weten.