This document is perfect if you aim for a wide and complete knowledge about English medieval literature (even for a first approach into lit, in fact there's also a section dedicated to literary devices and simple explanations) . There are the most significant sources such as the Tapestry of Bayeux ...
Celts: The Anglo-Saxons
Around 1000 BC the Celts invaded the actual territories of France, Begium and Britain. The Celts
were a collection of tribes that came from Northern Germany, Netherlands, and Denmark. The most
important tribes were 3: the Saxons, the Jutes and the Angles which gave the name of England (from
the old Angle-Lond). Although they were separate tribes, they had traditions, religious beliefs and
language in common.
Romans
Starting from 55 BC the Romans, thanks to Julius Caesar, conquered and settled in the island of
Britain, under the reign of Emperor Claudius.
After a period of nearly 400 years, the Romans retreated from Britain in 410 AD, when new invaders
claimed the land: the germanic tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes.
Invasions: Vikings and Normans
The Anglo-Saxon England fragmented into 7 Kingdoms which, with the arrival of the Vikings in 793,
proved their inefficiency. That’s the reason why King Alfred the Great unified the Kingdom to gather
the powers against the Danes (Vikings from Denmark).
Another invasion followed the one of the Vikings: the Normans invasion.
Harold, the last king of Anglo-Saxons, defeated the Vikings at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.
He was then forced to face the massive army of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy. This
clash resulted in the defeat of the Anglo-Saxons at the battle of Hastings, where Harold was killed.
The Tapestry of Bayeux
is an embroidered cloth nearly 70 meters long and 50 centimeters tall that depicts the events leading
up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy challenging Harold
II, King of England. It was probably commissioned by Bishop Odo and it consists of seventy-five 75
scenes with Latin inscriptions (tituli) portraying the events of the Battle of Hastings.
Normans
(Norman) French and Latin were the languages used by the Normans in religious and political
context. After the death of King Edward The Confessor without any successor the 5th Jan 1066,
there’s a fight over who should take the power. The choice is between Harold, king of Anglo-Saxons
or William, Duke of Normady, the future “Conqueror”. William, in fact, prepares a fleet, crosses the
Sea and kills all Anglo-Saxon lords in battle, included Harold who was killed the 14th Oct 1066. After
the battle William was crowned King on Christmas lDay and became officially King of Normans.
The Domesday Book
In 1085 William commissioned a detailed survey of the land and wealth in England so that he could
calculate how much money could be raised in taxes for the Crusades. In 1086 it was published,
representing the most complete public record of pre-industrial society to survive anywhere in the
world.
Languages
From 900 BC to 43 AD the Celts had used the Celtic Language, with the arrival of the Romans, from
43 AD to 410 AD, Latin was used for written language but the Celtic language was still spoken. From
450 the Anglo-Saxons brought Old English to use. Normans used French, but Latin was still used for
written documents and Old English was still spoken by servants. From the 12th Century to 16th Old
English developed to Middle English and it then became the actual Modern English.
, 900 BC - 43 AD > The Celts
Celtic language
43 AD - 410 AD > The Romans
Celtic language - spoken Latin - written
450 AD > The Anglo-Saxons
Old English
1066 AD - 1200 > The Normans
French > spoken in court
Old English > spoken by servants
Latin > written in documents
XII-XVI > Middle English
XVII-XXI > Modern English
Christianity
The Celtic population practiced a pagan religion known as Druidism.
Christianity was introduced into Britain by the Romans, but after the end of Roman occupation, with
the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons, it disappeared.
Its return can be traced back to the end of the sixth century, when Gregory the Great (bishop of
Rome) sent a monk called Augustine to convert the Anglo-Saxons.
Augustine built a church in Canterbury, where he later became the first Archbishop, and from that
moment the Archbishop of Canterbury has always been the leading churchman in England.
In Ireland Saint Patrick converted the Celts to Christianity spreading up to the British Isles. Even the
political figure of William the Conqueror took part in these changes, reorganizing and reforming the
Church of England, replacing the Anglo-Saxon Bishops with the Normans.
The feudal system
According to the feudal system, all land belonged to the king who had portioned out areas of land,
known as feuds, to a faithful Baron who in return promised him loyalty, fighting men and a certain
amount of money. These feudal Lords then distributed parts of their property to their followers.
The class of serfs worked the land, without receiving wages, and the only way for them to earn some
money legitimately was to cultivate a few strips of land for themselves.
In this period the figure of Guilds also emerged in the growing towns. Guilds were associations of
artisans and merchants who oversaw the practice of their trade in a particular territory, by setting
wages and prices.
Army and Castles
Norman supremacy over the Anglo-Saxon army was given by the armours (chainmail tunics and
lances) and horses provided for the knights. The expense for this equipment was covered by the king,
who in return for knight service, offered the knights lands in the newly-conquered territories. On the
other hand the Anglo-Saxon had a deficient army and equipment, fighting only on foot. Victory of
Normans was the construction of Castles, which created a new landscape in the English territory and
a defense tool.
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