英国文学——中纪英语.pptVIP

The Medieval Period (Old English and Middle English) Review of British History The only new information here is that the Britons were a Celtic people England before the English When the Roman legions arrived, they found the land inhabited by “Britons.” Today, the Britons are known as the Celts The Britons were absorbed into Roman society Latin is spoken but it didn’t stay Romans withdraw as the Empire crumbles, leaving the Britons behind England before the English group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) This is when King Arthur, a Briton, may have lived and repelled Saxon invasions By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Britons The Anglo-Saxons’ two urgings--war and wandering become part of the oral tradition Beowulf is an example of an Anglo-Saxon hero tale Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans Latin (the language of the Church) returns King Alfred the Britons become organized first true king of the Britons period of prosperity King Alfred brings an age of prosperity In 1066, the Normans (French speaking people from Normandy), led by William the Conqueror attack and defeat the Britains (a blend of the Britons and Anglo-Saxons) at the Battle of Hastings the 3rd language is introduced--French French culture and French literature arrives the Middle Ages500 – 1500 AD NEW NOTES What are the Middle Ages? A period in European history marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire and lasting until the beginning of the Renaissance. (roughly 500 – 1500 AD) Divided into three periods: Early, High, and Late “Medieval” is an adjective used to describe things associated with the Middle Ages. Some scholars, especially those during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, viewed the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages, a time when civilization was mired in superstition and ignorance The 3 Estates in the Middle Ages The idea of estates, or orders, was encouraged