- Who were the first to invade England in 43 AD?
In 43 AD Roman troops started their conquest of the island Albion (former naming Great-Britain), hower, they
met with Britons & Celtic people that had settled centuries before. Despite the native conquest against the
Roman troops, they remained part of the Roman Empire for 400 years, but the Roman troops never succeded by
penetrating the mountainous regions of Wales and Schotland.
- How were the roles divided between these people?
The roles were divided between the Roman, who used the Celts as slaves, but also gave them protection against
the Picts and Scots. They were the threathing tribes that lived in the north.
- What happened when they eventually left England?
The Roman troops where eventually attacked by the Picts, Scots and the Saxons and their position in the
European mainland was difficult as well. In about 409, the Romans withdrew from Britain in order to defend what
remained of their continental empire, leaving the Britons to fend for themselves.
1.1.4
- What is Beowulf?
Beowulf is an epic poem of over 3000 verses, which manuscript dates from about the 10th-century. It uses many
contrast, for example, water and fire, youth and old age, life and death, rise and fall of nations and individuals,
friendship and desertion, faithfulness and betrayal and good and evil.
- Why was it important?
It’s the only poem of it’s time, it also means a lot to people of Christian tradition as it incorporates morality,
obedience to god and avoidance of pride. The poem is also an important source of historical information which
was later confirmed by archeology.
- What is it about?
The first part of the poem takes place in Denmark. King Hrothgar is pestered by a water monster, named Grendel,
who is killing his men. Beowulf comes to his aid and kills Grendel and later Grendel’s mother who comes to
avenge her son, The second part takes place in Sweden, where Beowulf himself a king and has to fight a fire
breathing dragon.
- Explain the meaning of the words alliteration, kennings and internal rhyme?
● Alliteration = words beginning with the same sound
● Kennings = metaphorical descriptive phrases or compound words
● Internal rhyme = a word within a line rhyming with a word at the end of the line