The Anglo-Saxons (410-1066)
The Anglosassoni origini can be traced back to the Germanic tribes known as the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes who arrived in Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. These tribes played a crucial role in shaping the history and culture of England.
Vocabulary: Runic Alphabet - A set of mysterious characters used by Anglo-Saxons for inscriptions on stone or metal, not for long records.
The Anglo-Saxons were primarily farmers and fishermen who lived in wooden houses near streams or rivers. They demonstrated a great sense of beauty by building large, decorated halls in the center of their villages.
Highlight: The Anglo-Saxon society was organized into family groups or clans, with loyalty to other members being the most important social bond.
The lingua anglosassone evolved from the dialects spoken by different tribes, eventually becoming known as Old English. This language forms the foundation of modern English.
Example: Anglo-Saxon words still present in modern English include the names of days of the week, which were derived from their major gods.
Initially, the anglosassoni religione was polytheistic, worshipping several gods. However, Christianity, which had been introduced by the Romans, disappeared until the end of the 6th century. Pope Gregory I the Great sent a monk named Augustine to reintroduce Christianity to England.
Definition: Archbishop of Canterbury - The highest-ranking bishop in the Church of England, a position first held by Augustine.
The spread of Christianity led to the construction of monasteries, which became important centers of communal life and culture. These religious institutions also brought writing culture to the Anglo-Saxons.
Quote: "Much of what we know about the Anglo-Saxons is based on 'The Ecclesiastical History of the English People', written by the monk Venerable Bede."
The influence of the Anglo-Saxons can still be seen in modern English place names. For example, the suffix "-ing" meant "folk" or "family," while "ham" meant "farm" and "ton" meant "settlement." This explains the origins of names like Birmingham and Southampton.
