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Summary English literature, The Early Middle Ages
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A summary of the historical context of the Early Middle Ages for English literature. Written in English, for VWO.
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(450-1066)Timeline of the early Middle Ages
After the Romans left in approximately 450 AD, the Angles, Saxons and Jutes invaded Britain. Originating in present-
day Denmark and Northern Germany, these tribes had themselves been driven off by the Huns: an Asian people who
invaded Europe from the east. This era is known as migration of the peoples.
After a period in which they were content to plunder, pillage and return home, the Anglo-Saxon raiders gradually
became settlers, establishing several kingdoms on British soil. The Anglo-Saxon kings surrounded themselves with
young warriors. These men formed a military and social elite, rewarded by the king with weapons, valuables, and land
in return for their loyalty and their support at time of war. In this period, loyalty was greatly prized. A warrior was
expected to remain true to his king until death – whether his own or the king’s. Fleeing from battle was the ultimate
form of cowardice and shame. When they weren’t fighting, the warriors would meet in the king’s great hall to eat,
drink and listen to stories and poems.1
Society wasn’t made up entirely of kings and warriors: most people were farmers. There is, however, little know about
them.
Sutton Hoo
Quite a lot is known about life in Anglo-Saxon England, and particularly about the life of the elite. One of the most
important and best known Anglo-Saxon sites is Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. Sutton Hoo is the burial site of a 7 th century
king, laid to rest in a 27-meter-long ship with many valuable objects, such as decorated weapons, gold coins and
brooches and helmets. Sutton Hoo shows that the society were sophisticated and capable of producing beautifully
detailed jewellery and weapons. It also shows the transition that was made from paganism to Christianity (classical
spoons, christening gifts). Other graves from this period show a time in which Christianity and paganism coexisted.
At the end of the sixth century, the pope had sent missionaries to Britain to convert the heathen Anglo-Saxons to
Christianity. In the course of the seventh century, almost everyone (that is, the kings and their subjects) had become
Christian and countless monasteries were established. And so, from the seventh century, the clergy (bishops and
priests) and monks played an important role in society.
1
All the previously mentioned values, as well as the mead hall, are common themes in Beowulf, what makes the poem
rather representative of the era it was written in.
2
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