OLD ENGLISH PERIOD

Abstract

The History of English literature is very closely related to the history of the
English people. It began with the emergence of the English nation and then onward
kept on developing with the social development of the nation. In the history of the
English there had been several religious and political changes. In the history of
English literature, there were different phases of progress. Each of those phases,
known "Age" or "Period" has been given a particular name. Sometimes according to
the name of the king or queen, or sometimes after the name of a great writer.

Reporters:
Macasindil, Michael Vincent P.
Mama, Rhea M.

1. The Old English Period or The Anglo-Saxon Period (450-1066)

 Before the coming of the Anglo-Saxons, the majority of the population of

Britain spoke Celtic languages. In Roman Britain, Latin had been in extensive
use as the language of government and the military and probably also in
other functions, especially in urban areas and among the upper echelons of
society. However, it is uncertain how much Latin remained in use in the post-
Roman period.

 During the course of the next several hundred years, gradually more and
more of the territory in the area, later to be known as England, came under
Anglo-Saxon control. This Age started in the fifth century when the Jutes,
Angles and Saxons came to England from Germany, defeated the English
tribes and started their reign. It ended in 1066 with the Norman Conquest.

 The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, which began in the late

sixth century and was largely complete by the late seventh century, was an
event of huge cultural importance. One of its many areas of impact was the
introduction of writing extensive texts in the Roman alphabet on parchment.
Nearly all of our surviving documentary evidence for Old English is mediated
through the Church, and the impress of the literary culture of Latin
Christianity is deep on nearly everything that survives written in Old English.
  Conflict and interaction with raiders and settlers of Scandinavian origin is a
central theme in Anglo-Saxon history essentially from the time of the first
recorded raids in the late eighth century onwards. However, the linguistic
impact of this contact is mainly evident only in the Middle English period.
Likewise, the cataclysmic political events of the Norman Conquest took some
time to show their full impact on the English language.

 Precisely what fate befell the majority of the (Romano-)British population in

these areas is a matter of much debate. Certainly very few words were
borrowed into English from Celtic (it is uncertain whether there may have
been more influence in some areas of grammar and pronunciation), and
practically all of the Latin borrowings found in Old English could be
explained as having been borrowed either on the continent (i.e. beforehand)
or during or after the conversion to Christianity (i.e. later). The historical
events which influenced the literature of this period were:

 Christianity reached England and Christianization of the pagan

English tribes began.
 In the 7th century, monasteries were established where a written
literature began. Earlier to this whatever existed as literature was
oral.
 Alfred the Great who reigned over England from 871 to 901
encouraged education and supervised the compilation of The Anglo
Saxon Chronicle.

2. Literary Events in the Old English Period

If we trace its history back further, Old English belongs to the West Germanic
branch of the Germanic languages, along with Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old High
German, and the various dialects which later gave rise to Old Dutch. The major early
representatives of the North Germanic branch are Old Icelandic, Old Norwegian, Old
Swedish, and Old Danish (although the earliest extensive remains for all of these are
much later than the earliest Old English documents), while the only representative
of the East Germanic branch for which extensive remains survive is Gothic.
Ultimately, all of these branches diverged from a single hypothetical ancestor,
(proto-)Germanic, which itself constitutes a branch of the larger Indo-European
language family. Other branches of Indo-European include Celtic, Italic (including
Latin and hence the Romance languages), Greek, Indo-Iranian (including Sanskrit
and Persian).
 Notable Literary Works of This Period:

Beowulf, the earliest epic of English literature, was written in this period.
"The Wanderer", " The Seafarer", "The Husband's Message", “The
Consolations”, "The Wife's Lament" are among the remarkable poems of the
age. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle written in this age is the earliest prose of
English literature.

 “The Consolations”

King Alfred version of the Consolations, this book was a philosophical work
of the Roman statesman Boethius. It was written in 523 CE while he was
imprisoned by King Theodoric, it is often described as the last great western
work of the classical period.
The Consolation of philosophy is a classic dialogue on the meaning of life
between Boethius, bitter and despairing over his unjust imprisonment, and
the spirit of Philosophy, depicted as a woman of wisdom and compassion.
Alternately composed in prose and verse, the consolation teaches acceptance
of hardship in a spirit of philosophical detachment from misfortune. Parts of
the work are reminiscent of the Socratic method of Plato’s dialogues, as the
spirit of philosophy questions Boethius and challenges his emotional
reactions to adversity. The work was translated into Old English by King
Alfred.

The book was divided into 5 parts;

Outline: On the Consolations of Philosophy is laid out as follows;
• Book I: Boethius laments his imprisonment before he is visited by
Philosophy, personified as a woman.
• Book II: Philosophy illustrates the capricious nature of Fate by discussing
the “wheel of fortune”; she further argues that the true happiness lies in the
pursuit of wisdom.
• Book III: Building on the ideas laid out in the previous book, Philosophy
explains how wisdom has a divine source; she also demonstrates how many
earthly goods (e.g., wealth, beauty) are fleeting at best.
• Book IV: Philosophy and Boethius discuss the nature of good and evil, with
Philosophy offering several explanations for why evil exist and why the
wicked can never attain true happiness.
• Book V: Boethius asks Philosophy about the role chance plays in the order
of everything. Philosophy argues that chance is guided by providence.
 Boethius then asks Philosophy about the compatibility of an omniscient God
and free will.

 Beowulf

Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of Old English literature and
the earliest European vernacular epic. It tells the story of the Scandinavian
hero Beowulf, who gains fame as a young man by vanquishing the monster
Grendel and Grendel’s mother; later, as an aging king, he kills a dragon but
dies soon after, honored and lamented. The work deals with events of the
early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some
scholars believe that it was written in the 8th century. Although originally
untitled, the poem was later named after the Scandinavian hero Beowulf,
whose exploits and character provide its connecting theme. There is no
evidence of a historical Beowulf, but some characters, sites, and events in the
poem can be historically verified. The poem did not appear in print until
1815.

List of Characters:
 Beowulf - The protagonist of the epic, Beowulf is a Goatish hero
who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a fire-
breathing dragon.
 King Hrothgar - The king of the Danes. He is a father figure to
Beowulf and a model for the kind of king that Beowulf
becomes.
 Wiglaf - A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps
him in the fight against the dragon.
 Grendel - A demon descended from Cain.
 Grendel’s mother - An unnamed swamp-hag.
 The Dragon - An ancient, powerful serpent, the dragon guards
a horde of treasure in a hidden mound.

3. Anglo-Saxon’s Notable Authors and Their Most Notable Works

Most authors of Anglo-Saxon are anonymous. There are 12 authors known by

their name by the medieval sources, but only four of those are known by their
vernacular works to us today with any certainty: Caedmon, Bede, Alfred, and
Cynewulf.
  Caedmon (610-680 CE)

He was known to be the first religious poet of England and considered as the “Father
of song”. The only information about him is in the book of Bede, “Historia
Ecclesiastical Gentis Anglorum”. According to Bede, Caedmon was an uneducated
cowherd who had the vision in which a voice admonished him to sing the praise of
the creation.

The only piece of Caedmon that is still known today is his famous “Hymn”.

Caedmon’s hymn is thought to be the earliest composed Old English poem,

composed between 658 and 680. The hymn is a work in praise of God. It grabs the
reader from its opening word ‘nu’, meaning ‘now’, making the poem feel immediate.

Caedmon’s hymn is a nine-line alliterative vernacular praise poem in honor of God.

Within that 9 lines, it proceeds to celebrate all of the creation of God. In this he told
the people of hoe “God created the heaves and the earth for the enjoyment of men”.

English Version of Caedmon’s Hymn:

Now let me praise the keeper of heaven’s kingdom,

The might of the creator, and his thought,

The work of the father of glory, how each of wonders,

The eternal lord established in the beginning.

He first created for the sons of men.

Heaven as a roof, the holy creator,

The middle-earth the keeper of mankind,

The eternal lord, afterwards made,

The earth for men, the Almighty Lord.

 Bede (673-735 CE)

He was known as the Venerable Bede, St. Bede and Bede. He was considered as the
“Father of English History”. He was a monk and historian. Bede is known to
posterity as the author of Historia Ecclesiastical Gentis Anglorum “Ecclesiastical
History of the English People” which is the main historical source for the Old English
Period. He was an accurate and reliable observer and compiler of historical
information and it is to him that we know of when and how the initial Germanic
invasion of Britain took place.

His Ecclesiastical History of the English People was his most notable work and still
known by most. It was composed in Latin, Bede completed this book in 731 when he
was around 59 years old. It was considered one of the most important original
reference of Anglo-Saxon history, and had played a key role in the development of
English national identity.

In this book, Bede collected and compiled the history of the Christian churches in
England. Bede’s intention of writing this book was to demonstrate how the English
churches has established itself and grown throughout England; and of England
generally; its main focus is on the conflict between the pre-Schism and Roman Rite
and Celtic Christianity.

Bede mentioned all the major ethnic groups in his book; such as Britons, Picts, Gaels
and Anglo-Saxons (who he lumps together as Angli, thus facilitating a unified
identity) and draws upon a wide variety of sources and traditions.

This is also the book where he describes the life story and Caedmon and the
foundation of the story about the miracle of Caedmon, his gift from God in the form
of song.

 King Alfred (849-899 CE)

He was the most famous of Old English Kings, called “Alfred the Great”. He was a
West-Saxon and assumed the leadership of his community in 871 and was
immediately confronted by difficult military engagements with the Vikings who
were pressing south. Alfred was also concerned with the reform of monastic life and
had a number of translations made which are important monuments of (early West-
Saxon) Old English.

His most known work is the “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” and his version of “The
Consolations”.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicles started in King Alfred reign. It is a collection of Old English

annals, chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is the first attempt to give
a systematic year-by-year account of English history. The original manuscript of the
chronicle was created late in the 9th century, probably in the Wessex, during his
reign from 871 up until 899.

King Alfred version of the Consolations, this book was a philosophical work of the
Roman statesman Boethius. It was written in 523 CE while he was imprisoned by
King Theodoric, it is often described as the last great western work of the classical
period.

The Consolation of philosophy is a classic dialogue on the meaning of life between

Boethius, bitter and despairing over his unjust imprisonment, and the spirit of
Philosophy, depicted as a woman of wisdom and compassion. Alternately composed
in prose and verse, the consolation teaches acceptance of hardship in a spirit of
philosophical detachment from misfortune. Parts of the work are reminiscent of the
Socratic method of Plato’s dialogues, as the spirit of philosophy questions Boethius
and challenges his emotional reactions to adversity. The work was translated into
Old English by King Alfred.

The book was divided into 5 parts;

Outline: On the Consolations of Philosophy is laid out as follows;

• Book I: Boethius laments his imprisonment before he is visited by Philosophy,

personified as a woman.

• Book II: Philosophy illustrates the capricious nature of Fate by discussing the
“wheel of fortune”; she further argues that the true happiness lies in the pursuit of
wisdom.

• Book III: Building on the ideas laid out in the previous book, Philosophy explains
how wisdom has a divine source; she also demonstrates how many earthly goods
(e.g., wealth, beauty) are fleeting at best.

• Book IV: Philosophy and Boethius discuss the nature of good and evil, with
Philosophy offering several explanations for why evil exist and why the wicked can
never attain true happiness.

• Book V: Boethius asks Philosophy about the role chance plays in the order of
everything. Philosophy argues that chance is guided by providence. Boethius then
asks Philosophy about the compatibility of an omniscient God and free will.

 Cynewulf (late 8th and 9th century)

He was known for his religious composition and known as one of the greatest poet
of Anglo-Saxons period. He is believed to be the in line successor of Caedmon. A
wondering singer or poet who lived a gay and secular life.
He had written a lots of poems and only four of those contains his signature coded
into the text of runes. They are “The Fates of Apostles”, “Elene”, “Juliana”, and “The
Christ II”.

Elene is considered by the people as his master piece. Elene was written sometime
between 750 and the 10th century. The story is loosely based on historical events
and takes place within an anachronistic setting that amalgates wars of the 4th
century involving the Romans, the Huns and the Franks. Elene is a poem in Old
English that is sometimes known as Saint Helena finds the true cross. It is the
longest signed poem of Cynewulf. Elene fits into subgenre of invention, the search
for sacrosanct relics of the saints.

The poem begins with Constantine, emperor of Rome, riding out to battle the Huns
and Hrethgoths. He is a mighty king made strong by God, though he is not aware of
the Christian God yet. He sees a vision in the sky and he is told that he will halt his
enemies with the symbol that is shown to him by the heavens. The battle begins and
Constantine reveals the symbol that he was shown, a cross. The cross sends his
enemies running in all directions and they are easily defeated by the Romans.

Constantine returns home and addresses an assembly on whether they know the
meaning of the symbol that saved his people. Only the wisest know that the cross is
the symbol of the Lord in Heaven, Jesus Christ. Constantine is baptized and becomes
a devout Christian, due to his experience. He learns from the Bible how and where
Christ was killed, so he orders Helen, his mother, to lead an army to the land of the
Jews to find where the true cross is buried. She leads an army of men onto a ship
and begins the journey to Palestine.

Once in the city of Jerusalem, she calls an assembly of sage Jews and scorns them for
having condemned Jesus to death, leaving them wondering what they have done to
anger the queen. Judas tells his fellow Jews that he knows the queen searches for the
cross. Judas was brought up on Christian teachings, and his brother Stephen was
stoned to death for being a Christian. The Jews refuse to help Helen find the cross, so
she threatens them with death. Frightened, they hand over Judas. He also refuses to
tell her where it is, so she locks him in a dark prison for seven days without food. On
the seventh day he cries out that he cannot take the torture any longer and will
reveal where the cross is. He leads the queen to the hill where Jesus was crucified.

Judas converts to Christianity in a passionate speech to God acknowledging Jesus as

his Savior. God gives Judas a smoke sign in the sky, which convinces him of his new-
found belief. He digs and finds three crosses. A crowd forms, but no one knows
which of the three the cross of Christ was. They set the crosses up in the city hoping
that Christ would show them the truth. A corpse is brought forth, and each cross is
held over him. The third cross brings him back to life.
Satan appears in grotesque form angry that he has had a soul stolen from him. Judas
cleverly argues with Satan with his new faith, but Satan leaves with a threat that he
will raise up a king to retaliate. Helen sends word home to Constantine, who tells
her to build a church on the hillside where the crosses were found. She encases the
true cross in gold and jewels and places it in the church. Judas is baptized and puts
away his false religion. He is appointed to priesthood and is renamed Cyriacus
because of his rebirth.

Helen then decides she needs to find the nails that held Christ up on the cross.
Cyriacus searches for them, and God again gives him a sign in the form of fire to
show where they are buried. Helen receives the gift with tears of joy, and the Holy
Spirit fills her with the gift of wisdom and forever protects the saint. She goes to a
wise man to find out how she should use the nails, and he advises her to use them in
the bit of Constantine's horse so that he would always be victorious in battle. The
epilogue of the poem is devoted to the personal reflection of Cynewulf and his
interpretation of Doomsday. Cynewulf tells of how he has experienced a spiritual
metamorphosis. His depiction of the Last Judgment resembles a sort of Purgatory
where people are divided into three groups, two of which undergo cleansing to
reach salvation, while the third is damned to eternal Hell.

The Fates of Apostles, the shortest of Cynewulf’s known canon at 122 lines long. It is
a brief Martyrology of the twelve Apostles written in the standard alliterative verse.
The fates recite the key events that subsequently befell each apostle after the
Ascension of Jesus.

Cynewulf speaks in the first-person throughout the poem, and besides explaining
the fate of each disciple, he provides “advice” and “consolation” to the reader.

Conclusion

When William the Conqueror, won the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and took control of
Britain away from the Anglo-Saxons, it marks the triumphant journey of the
Normans in the world history. Even he won the fight and scholars considered the
Anglo-Saxon Period as the “Dark Age” of England, people can’t deny the fact that
there are also a lot of good things that the Anglo-Saxon Period brought. Without the
Anglo-Saxons there wouldn't be an English language. The lasting impact is that in
each time period of the English language there were words that the Anglo-Saxons
used. The Anglo-Saxon period also includes the creation of an English nation, with
many of the aspects that survive today, including government, architecture, and
Anglo-Latin writing.
 References

“Anglo Saxons explained”

https://youtu.be/jT2WMRV2iQ4

Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/art/English-literature/The-Old-English-period

Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Beowulf

en.wikipedia.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_settlement_of_Britain

History.org.uk
https://www.history.org.uk/primary/resource/3860/teaching-romans-anglo-
saxons-and-vikings-in-brit

Sparknotes
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/characters/