Anglo-Saxon Age and Literature: Everything you need to
know to crack this topic in DU MA English Entrance
Examination:
Anglo-Saxon timeline:
Anglo-Saxon period flourished from 449A.D. to 1066A.D.
How Anglo-Saxon invaded Britain:
• From 55 BC to 410 A.D., Britain was ruled by its original inhabitants called
Britons.
• In 410 A.D, three Germanic tribes invaded the country- Angles, Saxons and
Jutes. Jutes were in a scarce population, so the region was ruled by Angles
and Saxons. Hence, the name Anglo-Saxon came into being.
• Jutes were, however the first Germanic people to settle there. These tribes
migrated to Britain.
• The Anglo-Saxons were fearless and adventurous people and by 670 A.D.,
they invaded major parts of Angloland. This region later came to be known
as England.
Languages spoken in Anglo-Saxon England:
a) There were different languages spoken by Britons and Germanic tribes.
However, all these languages were together referred under the umbrella term of
"Old English".
b) The main dialects of Old English are- Northumbrian, Kentish, West Saxon and
Mercian.
The Viking Rule:
• The Vikings were the colonisers originating from Scandinavia (xomprising
of countries like Denmark, Norway and Sweden) who took control of Britain
and other regions.
• The Vikings invaded Britain several times.
• The last viking invasion happened in 1066A.D. when the Viking ruler,
William the conqueror, who was the ruler of Normandy (a province in
, France) conquered Britain. This victory by William 1 or William the
conqueror started the Anglo-Norman rule. The Norman ruler defeated the
last Anglo-Saxon ruler, King Harold the Great, in the famous Battle of
Hastings.
Anglo-Saxon period as the barren period:
• The Anglo-Saxon period was called the barren period in English Literature
because there was no remarkable piece of literature written in Britain.
• England was constantly at war with the Vikings, so people did not have time
to write anything great in literature.
• There was very little scientific and cultural advancements as well.
• There was absence of printing press in England. Hence, no writings could be
saved.
• The literature was popular through the mode of oral transmission and hence,
all the literature is lost.
• Written literature came into being with the rise of Christian Churches.
Anglo-Saxon Poetry:
• Anglo-Saxon poetry was either heroic poetry or religious poetry.
• Heroic poetry talked about the heroic deeds of a great warrior or soilder
living in Anglo-Saxon era. It was written by Germanic tribes who had pagan
beliefs.
• Religious poetry talked about myths and beliefs of Christanity. It was
written by Britons who were Christians. Alexander the Great, the ancient
Greek king, sent St. Augustine (a bishop) to spread Christianity in England.
The Famous Poem- Beowulf:
a) A famous heroic poetry during this age was Beowulf. It is the story of a warrior
called Beowulf who meets and defeats a monster called Grendel. Beowulf also
defeats Grendel’s mother, hence establishing himself as a heroic warrior.
b) The story also highlights the tribal life of the ancient days. It is also known as
the national epic of England.
know to crack this topic in DU MA English Entrance
Examination:
Anglo-Saxon timeline:
Anglo-Saxon period flourished from 449A.D. to 1066A.D.
How Anglo-Saxon invaded Britain:
• From 55 BC to 410 A.D., Britain was ruled by its original inhabitants called
Britons.
• In 410 A.D, three Germanic tribes invaded the country- Angles, Saxons and
Jutes. Jutes were in a scarce population, so the region was ruled by Angles
and Saxons. Hence, the name Anglo-Saxon came into being.
• Jutes were, however the first Germanic people to settle there. These tribes
migrated to Britain.
• The Anglo-Saxons were fearless and adventurous people and by 670 A.D.,
they invaded major parts of Angloland. This region later came to be known
as England.
Languages spoken in Anglo-Saxon England:
a) There were different languages spoken by Britons and Germanic tribes.
However, all these languages were together referred under the umbrella term of
"Old English".
b) The main dialects of Old English are- Northumbrian, Kentish, West Saxon and
Mercian.
The Viking Rule:
• The Vikings were the colonisers originating from Scandinavia (xomprising
of countries like Denmark, Norway and Sweden) who took control of Britain
and other regions.
• The Vikings invaded Britain several times.
• The last viking invasion happened in 1066A.D. when the Viking ruler,
William the conqueror, who was the ruler of Normandy (a province in
, France) conquered Britain. This victory by William 1 or William the
conqueror started the Anglo-Norman rule. The Norman ruler defeated the
last Anglo-Saxon ruler, King Harold the Great, in the famous Battle of
Hastings.
Anglo-Saxon period as the barren period:
• The Anglo-Saxon period was called the barren period in English Literature
because there was no remarkable piece of literature written in Britain.
• England was constantly at war with the Vikings, so people did not have time
to write anything great in literature.
• There was very little scientific and cultural advancements as well.
• There was absence of printing press in England. Hence, no writings could be
saved.
• The literature was popular through the mode of oral transmission and hence,
all the literature is lost.
• Written literature came into being with the rise of Christian Churches.
Anglo-Saxon Poetry:
• Anglo-Saxon poetry was either heroic poetry or religious poetry.
• Heroic poetry talked about the heroic deeds of a great warrior or soilder
living in Anglo-Saxon era. It was written by Germanic tribes who had pagan
beliefs.
• Religious poetry talked about myths and beliefs of Christanity. It was
written by Britons who were Christians. Alexander the Great, the ancient
Greek king, sent St. Augustine (a bishop) to spread Christianity in England.
The Famous Poem- Beowulf:
a) A famous heroic poetry during this age was Beowulf. It is the story of a warrior
called Beowulf who meets and defeats a monster called Grendel. Beowulf also
defeats Grendel’s mother, hence establishing himself as a heroic warrior.
b) The story also highlights the tribal life of the ancient days. It is also known as
the national epic of England.
