Literature - Beginnings

A Survey of English Literature
1
BEGINNINGS
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This lesson contains 14 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 1 video.

time-iconLesson duration is: 50 min

Items in this lesson

A Survey of English Literature
1
BEGINNINGS

Slide 1 - Slide

Before England
  • From c. 700 BC: modern Britain inhabited by great number of Celtic tribes
  • 55 BC: Julius Caesar tries to invade Britain but fails
  • 43: the Romans successfully invade Britain (emperor Claudius) and start their conquest
  • Britannia (Roman Britain)
  • 410: last Roman legions leave Britain
  • c. 450: Anglo-Saxon invasions begin

Slide 2 - Slide

Roman Britain: characteristics
  • urban civilization (first towns, Londinium)
  • construction of roads > army, trade

Slide 3 - Slide

Roman Britain

Slide 4 - Slide

Romain Britain >> 
Anglo-Saxon England
  • AD 410: last Roman legions leave Britain
  • 445-450: first Germanic settlers invited to Britain to help defend the country
  • c. 450-500:  Germanic tribes invade in large numbers
  • c. 500: Anglo-Saxon settlement completed

Slide 5 - Slide

Slide 6 - Video

Anglo-Saxon England: characteristics
  • c. 500-800: period of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, often at war with each other. Sussex (South Saxons) Wessex (West Saxons): counties
  • from c. 800: a slow process of unification (under pressure from Danish invaders)
  • period of relative prosperity
  • gradual conversion to Christianity
  • monasteries important centres of learning (Jarrow, Lindisfarne, Whitby)
  • highly developed craftsmanship

Slide 7 - Slide

The Old English Period
  • c. 500-1066: Anglo-Saxon England. Celts driven to West (Wales) and North. King Arthur!
  • c. 800:  attacks and invasions by Danes (Vikings)
  • Danes control much of modern England: Danelaw/Danegeld
  • Anglo-Saxons unite: Alfred the Great (c. 875)
  • an abrupt end: 1066, the Norman Conquest

Slide 8 - Slide

The Old English Period
  • Alternating Anglo-Saxon and Danish kings
  •  The Anglo Saxon king Edward the Confessor had lived in exile in Normandy, where he met king William II of Normandy, later William the Conqueror . I
  •  Upon Edward’s death in 1066 Harold Godwinson claimed the throne, but was defeated and killed by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings

Slide 9 - Slide

Anglo-Saxon England

Slide 10 - Mind map

Which king united the Anglo-Saxons to defeat the Danes?
A
Julius Caesar
B
William the Conqueror
C
Aelfric the Great
D
Alfred the Great

Slide 11 - Quiz

What year did the Norman Conquest take place?
A
450
B
1066
C
800
D
55 BC

Slide 12 - Quiz

According to you, what are the main points of this lesson ?

Slide 13 - Open question

Next literature lesson

Introduction to Old English literature

Beowulf



Slide 14 - Slide