Anglo-Saxon Era: Culture, History, and Norman Conquest
The Anglo-Saxon Era: A Historical Overview
Generalizing about the Dark Ages is challenging due to its length, but here’s an attempt. The Anglo-Saxons, upon arriving in Britain, were pagans. They worshipped nature gods and revered springs, wells, rocks, and trees. Religion served as a means to ensure material success rather than spiritual revelation. Prayers were offered to specific goddesses for successful harvests or victory in battle.
The End of Anglo-Saxon Rule
Anglo-Saxon rule ended in 1066, shortly after Edward the Confessor’s death, who lacked an heir. He allegedly bequeathed the kingdom to William of Normandy but also seemed to favor Harold Godwinson. Harold was crowned king immediately after Edward’s death but failed to defend his crown when William and his invading army crossed the Channel from France to claim it. Harold was defeated by the Normans at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066, ushering in a new era.
Who Were the Anglo-Saxons?
The Anglo-Saxons were a people inhabiting Great Britain from the 5th century. They comprised Germanic tribes who migrated to the southern half of the island from continental Europe, their descendants, and indigenous people who adopted Anglo-Saxon culture and language. The Anglo-Saxon period marks British history from their initial settlement until the Norman Conquest, roughly between 450 and 1066.
Key Aspects of the Anglo-Saxon Period
The Anglo-Saxon period saw the creation of an English nation, with enduring aspects like regional government of shires and hundreds, the re-establishment of Christianity, a flourishing in literature and language, and the establishment of charters and law.
The term “Anglo-Saxon” also refers to the language, more accurately called Old English, spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons in England and eastern Scotland from at least the mid-5th to the mid-12th century.
Cultural Identity and Development
The history of the Anglo-Saxons is the history of a cultural identity, developing from divergent groups, growing with Christianity, used in establishing various kingdoms, and re-establishing itself as one identity against Danish settlers until after the Norman Conquest.
The outward appearance of Anglo-Saxon culture is evident in the material culture of buildings. In 1066, the king in England was Harold, and in Normandy, it was William. Hastings was the site of a significant battle. The Anglo-Saxons introduced the feudal system, dividing land among the king, barons, knights, and serfs. The king owned everything, barons oversaw knights, and serfs were tied to the land. The concept of ius primae noctis (the right of the first night) is associated with this period.
The feudal hierarchy was structured as follows: 1. King, 2. Barons, 3. Knights, 4. Serfs (loyalty and work for barons). The Domesday Book served as a universal record of possessions for the king. William conquered England during the harvest season.
Language and Literature
The language of the Norman rulers was French, but the common people spoke Old English. Communication between these groups led to the creation of Middle English (e.g., pork/pig, beef/cow). By 1353, common people primarily spoke English, not French. Latin remained the language of the church.
Literary Developments
Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain) popularized metrical romances and the Matter of Britain, collections of long tales about King Arthur, Charlemagne, and Roman legends. These stories emphasized chivalry, honor, religion, and loyalty.
Ballads, a popular form of literature, were poems told by simple people for simple people, often dealing with themes of love, jealousy, magic, and outlaws.