Anglo Saxon culture and way of life
The Germanic tribes brought an entire different and new life style to the Romano British people in Britain. Over time the British had adapted to the Roman way of life and by now they were used to life in cities, a bureaucratic order, straight roman roads and luxuries like living in villas, having floor heating and baths. All this was lost when the Germanic people invaded the island and brought with them a life style based on village life, farming, battles and a strict code of honour. It took a while of course, but over time the British people got used to this new way of life too, and as the British and the Germanic people assimilated, they merged into the Anglo-Saxon people with a very disctinct culture and way of life. The Anglo-Saxons were farmers and lived in villages, they were very skilled craftsmen and they were fierce fighters. They told stories about heroes and quests and very often the hero had to conquer a monster or two. These stories reflected the importance of bravery, heroism and loyalty that were so important to theAnglo-Saxons. There was a very clear and strict contract between a king and his people and especially between a king and his soldiers. Unconditional loyalty and bravery were important on both parts. The King had to lead his soldiers into battle and had to be willing to die for his men. Vice versa, his men had to follow him without question into battle and be willing to lay down their lives for him. The key words were loyalty and bravery. If a man failed to act in this valiant manner and was unfaithful to his king or abandoned him and his fellow soldiers in batlle, this brought everlasting shame upon him and his family. This meant that he and his family would be outcasts from then on. |
Study helpPay attention to the elements of bravery, heroism and loyalty in the story of Beowulf. Also important: fate and both pagan and Christian elements.
LanguageThe arrival of the Germanic tribes also meant that the language would change dramatically too. During Roman times, the language people spoke had been greatly influenced by Latin. Now, the language changed again and only compatatively few words from Latin remained. The language became what we now call Old English. English became a Germanic language.
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Christianity
Another major change was related to religion. During Roman times the British were introduced to the Christian faith. When the Romans left many reverted to so-called Paganism again and the Germanic people themselves used to be Pagan as well. The Germanic people too had been converted to Christianity as a result of Roman influence. So, Christianity was reintroduced to Britain during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf, as a result, incorporates both pagan and Christian elements.
Anglo-Saxon monasteries were important places of culture and learning and some of the most famous manuscripts were made there.
Anglo-Saxon monasteries were important places of culture and learning and some of the most famous manuscripts were made there.