The Anglo - Saxons were tribes in the the year 410 and inhabited the area northern Germany and southern Denmark. They were among other people who were at the time invading the Roman Empire from three directions. They were generally called 'Saxons' by their neighbors. But the term 'Anglo-Saxon' did not become common until the eighth century, when people on the continent started using it to distinguish between the inhabitants of Britain and the Saxons who remained in northern Germany.
By 500 AD, many of the invaders had settled. The Angles, Saxons, and another group of people called the Jutes had taken most of that area. Much has been discovered of the Anglo - Saxons , mostly because through Archeology. They have discovered a lot about them through their graves. They placed weapons and other personal things in their graves. For example, the most famous grave has to be "Mound 1" which is located at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, United Kingdom. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo/) It is most likely the cemetery of the kings of East Anglia. Archaeologistsare led to believe that they settled in this area because of a 30-foot oak ship that was discovered on the site with many objects buried with it.
Throughout the epic poem Beowulf, we can see key essentials of the Anglo-Saxon Culture such as bravery, friendship, generosity, and loyalty. Probably the most important trait to them is loaylty. The Anglo-Saxons governing system was built on the fundamental of Loyalty. It shaped the very tribal culture in which they lived. This can be seen in the novel. It was Beowulf’s loyalty to the Danes that brought him to Hrothgar to defeat Grendel (Beowulf 112-115).
Beowulf was being loyal to an alliance his uncle had made with Hrothgar. He sailed the seas to write his story: “ When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I , I already knew that all my purpose was to this: win the good will of your people of die in battle, pressed in Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!”(Beowulf 364-369). Loyalty is so great that it is even seen on Grendel's side. Grendel, the villain of this tale and his mother were loyal to each other as family is. After her son is killed, Grendel’s mother brought her wrath upon Hrothgar’s people by killing Aeschere.
Generosity is another element of Anglo-Saxon culture as reflected in Beowulf when Hrothgar promised great riches to Beowulf for saving the Danes. Generosity also showed honor among warriors like the way Hrothgar honored Beowulf just for coming to see him, “But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor: let us toast your victories and talk of the future.” (Beowulf, 223-224). In the story Beowulf boasts of his bravery by talking about his past battles and victories. He went against monsters with his bare hands. He was brave until the end. This reflects the ideals of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. It’s safe to say that Beowulf’s bravery was best shown by his actions. “....He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s answer” (Beowulf, 570-571). Friendship, an element seen throughout this tale and in the Anglo-Saxon culture. “then that brave king gave the golden necklace from around his throat to Wiglaf, gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, and his mail shirt, and ordered him to use them well” (Beowulf 817-820). This shows that he was so close to him and was given gifts.
Links!
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/
- Beowulf-reflecting Anglo-Saxon culture.
- http://literarism.blogspot.com/2010/09/ugcnet.html
- http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/medieval/anglo-saxon.html
- Sutton Hoo - Visitor information - National Trust
- http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Anglo-Saxon_literature.html
- http://www.britannia.com/history/saxontime.html
By 500 AD, many of the invaders had settled. The Angles, Saxons, and another group of people called the Jutes had taken most of that area. Much has been discovered of the Anglo - Saxons , mostly because through Archeology. They have discovered a lot about them through their graves. They placed weapons and other personal things in their graves. For example, the most famous grave has to be "Mound 1" which is located at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, United Kingdom. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo/) It is most likely the cemetery of the kings of East Anglia. Archaeologistsare led to believe that they settled in this area because of a 30-foot oak ship that was discovered on the site with many objects buried with it.
Throughout the epic poem Beowulf, we can see key essentials of the Anglo-Saxon Culture such as bravery, friendship, generosity, and loyalty. Probably the most important trait to them is loaylty. The Anglo-Saxons governing system was built on the fundamental of Loyalty. It shaped the very tribal culture in which they lived. This can be seen in the novel. It was Beowulf’s loyalty to the Danes that brought him to Hrothgar to defeat Grendel (Beowulf 112-115).
Beowulf was being loyal to an alliance his uncle had made with Hrothgar. He sailed the seas to write his story: “ When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I , I already knew that all my purpose was to this: win the good will of your people of die in battle, pressed in Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!”(Beowulf 364-369). Loyalty is so great that it is even seen on Grendel's side. Grendel, the villain of this tale and his mother were loyal to each other as family is. After her son is killed, Grendel’s mother brought her wrath upon Hrothgar’s people by killing Aeschere.
Generosity is another element of Anglo-Saxon culture as reflected in Beowulf when Hrothgar promised great riches to Beowulf for saving the Danes. Generosity also showed honor among warriors like the way Hrothgar honored Beowulf just for coming to see him, “But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor: let us toast your victories and talk of the future.” (Beowulf, 223-224). In the story Beowulf boasts of his bravery by talking about his past battles and victories. He went against monsters with his bare hands. He was brave until the end. This reflects the ideals of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. It’s safe to say that Beowulf’s bravery was best shown by his actions. “....He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s answer” (Beowulf, 570-571). Friendship, an element seen throughout this tale and in the Anglo-Saxon culture. “then that brave king gave the golden necklace from around his throat to Wiglaf, gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, and his mail shirt, and ordered him to use them well” (Beowulf 817-820). This shows that he was so close to him and was given gifts.
Links!
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/
- Beowulf-reflecting Anglo-Saxon culture.
- http://literarism.blogspot.com/2010/09/ugcnet.html
- http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/medieval/anglo-saxon.html
- Sutton Hoo - Visitor information - National Trust
- http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Anglo-Saxon_literature.html
- http://www.britannia.com/history/saxontime.html