How English Became English Julius Ceasar invaded Britain in 55 A.D. In 43 A.D. Emperor Claudius made the same trip that Ceasar had in 55 B.C. The Roman conqueror brought Latin, Gree, and Christianity to Britain.
In 410 A.D. to 449 the Visigoths of Gaul attack Rome and took over. The Romans who were in Britain withdrew to defend their homeland. Ruler of Britons, Vortigern, asked the Saxons for help dealing with the Picts and Scots who were attacking Britain. The Saxons helping brought Low German to Britain. In 410 to 600 Britain was open to continuous attacks from those along the coastline of the Northern Sea, starting from Denmark to the mouth of Rhine. The natives of Britain who were Britons that spoke Celtic dialects(Scotts, Gaelic, and Welsh) were forced out of their homeland westward. The southeast tip of Britain were settled by the "Jutes" of Britain and France and the "Saxony" were settled by Germanic Angles and Saxons. The northern and eastern parts of the island that were now occupied was now known as "Angle Land". The different people and languages in Britain that originated from east of the North Sea, developed into Anglo Saxon English(or Old English). From 780 to 800 the Danish Viking Raided on England's northeast coast from the North Sea, driving the Saxons west for a period of time. This attack from the Danes led to some Danish being added to Anglo-Saxon English. Then later in 900 A.D. began the writing of the earliest Beowulf manuscript which was founded in Wessex but also believed to have migrated down from the cultural center of Northern England. Beowulf is written in Old English(Anglo-Saxon English). Then in 1066 William the Conqueror invades Britain from Northern France, allowing Norman French to be brought to the island and mixed with Anglo-Saxon, creating Middle English. |
Other Examples of Poems Written in the style of the Anglo-Saxon Epic:
--Kristen's poem "A Blooming Rose" is full of literary devices used in Beowulf. Also includes biblical allusions through out the poem.
--Amelia's poem "A Break From The Ordinary" has good use of the literary devices epic boast and alliteration.
--Kristen's poem "A Blooming Rose" is full of literary devices used in Beowulf. Also includes biblical allusions through out the poem.
--Amelia's poem "A Break From The Ordinary" has good use of the literary devices epic boast and alliteration.